BasicGov / BLOG

It is encouraging to see that in a recent survey conducted by Mustel Group and sponsored by us (BasisGov) that software is being used by local governments to help manage neighborhood complaints (code enforcement) but there is still a myth among the non-users that it is costly.

• Approximately 80% said that the foreclosure crisis has resulted in an increase in citizen complaints over the past year;
• The most frequent complaints were overgrown yards (87%), property damage (61%) and garbage dumping (47%);
• 88% do not plan to increase staff to manage the overall problem;
• 79% of the municipalities surveyed use software applications to manage their code enforcement process and already one in four of those were using web-based software;
• among non-users, 61% thought cost a deterrent in planning to implement software.

With the rise in foreclosures, increase in related complaints at city halls and the freeze on hiring more staff, overcoming the high cost myth will help many municipalities.

Do you think cost is the only deterrent?

(Photo credit – http://www.flickr.com/photos/respres/ / CC BY 2.0)

Part 2: Why Choose a SaaS Solution? Why SaaS offers advantages over traditional on-premise software solutions.

The process for selecting a software solution for local and municipal government software is a complex undertaking. With the introduction of SaaS solutions over the past few years, it is important to understand the benefits of SaaS, the risks and the challenges. To help shed some light on this process, we will explore the reasons you should consider a SaaS solution, and some of the risks that should be understood.

There are five main reasons to consider a SaaS solution for local and municipal governments:

Time: SaaS solutions can usually be implemented in a manner of days or weeks, instead of the months or years that it usually takes to implement an in-house solution. You don’t need a full staff of available IT resources to implement a SaaS solution either: the SaaS vendors will usually work with you to configure the software, and get you up and running as quickly as possible. 

Cost: Traditional in-house solutions are often an order of magnitude more expensive than SaaS solutions, given the amount of effort required from your internal resources and from the vendor to design, configure, develop, test, and support the systems. SaaS solutions are usually priced at a reasonable monthly cost per user, on a pay-as-you-go basis.

System accessibility: All you need to use SaaS systems is an internet connection and a web browser. This means that you can use the system in your office, on the road, or anywhere else where you have an internet connection.

Data security: Many SaaS providers provide an incredibly robust process for securing access to your system and your data. Your data is usually backed up regularly, and stored in a secure location, using the latest security procedures. This means that in the event of an emergency in your city, you would have access to your system and your data as soon as you have an internet connection.

Flexibility: Many SaaS providers work with you to configure your system to reflect your business needs, and are still able to implement your system in a very short period of time. This means that you can still get a fully configured system for a low cost without needing the costly and time-consuming process of implementing an on-premise solution.

All of these are key reasons to consider SaaS when you need a technology solution.  However, SaaS is not always the best solution. If you do not have a reliable internet connection, then you should consider in-house solutions. If you need highly specialized components for your application and have very specific requirements and little flexibility, then you may need to consider in-house solutions.

If you are cost-conscious, need a highly secure and accessible environment, in as fast a time frame as possible, then a SaaS solution may be the best solution for you.