Custom vs SaaS: Choosing the Right IoT Web Solution for Your Business

Stepping into the world of IoT with the IoT web solution means unlocking endless possibilities. However, before the exciting part begins, the biggest concern here is picking between Custom vs SaaS software. So, if you’re seeking something quick, ready-to-use, while also being budget-friendly, don’t think twice before picking SaaS software. On the other side, custom software is perfect for unique business needs. It’s built around your exact requirements and could actually offer more value in the long run.

And it’s not just the features that influence the decision. Whichever option you pick affects your costs, control, scalability and even how smoothly your IoT system operates. Let’s discuss both the choices so you can make the right call for your business.

What is SaaS in IoT Web Solutions?

SaaS (Software as a Service) is a cloud-based platform that you neither own nor build but just subscribe and use.

In the IoT sense, SaaS platforms offer features that are set to be used like:

• Live dashboards
• Health monitoring of devices
• Data analytics
• Automated alerts
• Role-specific permissions

All these features are created and maintained by someone else and you only pay to access them for a certain period. The SaaS pricing could be for a month or a full year and is predictable.

SaaS solutions are a match made in heaven for those companies that want to get started right away; no waiting. No need to develop a team or worry about backend infrastructure; get a working system immediately. Many SaaS software platforms are designed well enough to be able to serve a wide range of audiences and offer general features that fit most business models out there. This is an ideal offering when your business has pretty standard needs or if you’re simply exploring IoT potential.
Check SAAS based Manpower tracking and  monitoring

The Benefits of SaaS for IoT:

Here’s why SaaS is so much preferred:

• Speed: Businesses can get started with it in days, not months.
• Low maintenance: There are no servers or updates to manage.
• Lower upfront cost: You pay as you grow and there are flexible pricing plans.
• Easy integration: Most SaaS tools are built to support APIs or plug-ins.
• Scalability: You can start small and then add on more devices as and when needed.

However, there’s a flip side to all these benefits. If your operations have a specific workflow to follow, comply with a niche industry or have a unique device behavior, then your business would need to adjust to fit the software. The software won’t adjust to your business. This is where custom software shines!

What is Custom IoT Software?

Custom software, as the name suggests, is built from scratch and is created totally around your exact needs. Your business’s platform, your workflows, your devices and your goals. A tailored fit for your work. Where SaaS offers convenience and supports getting started instantly, custom IoT web app development gives you full control over everything.

Here, you closely work with reliable developers like PsiBorg on every part of the solution. How your devices send data, how is it stored, presented, acted upon and how the alerts are triggered; everything! With custom software, there’s no need to wait for a provider to add a required feature because you can build it yourself.

Why Businesses Choose Custom IoT Solutions:

• Full Control:

  It’s you who decides what features will be incorporated and how the data will flow.

• Tailored UI/UX:

  The interface is always designed in a way that it suits your team and use cases in the best way.

• Highly Secure:

  You can also add advanced security layers as per the industry regulations.

• Device Flexibility:

  Any type of sensor or device can be connected. Even the non-standard ones.

• One-Time Fees:

  Unlike SaaS pricing, there’s no monthly fee. You pay only for development and maintenance.

Building custom software is like designing and building your own property. Yes, it involves higher time and cost but since it’s ultimately yours, it’s worth it. And you make it work just how you want.

Want to know how much it costs to build a custom IoT solution? Use our IoT App Cost Estimator to get a quick estimate based on your project requirements.

SaaS or Custom Web Software—Which One Is Right for You?

Once you ask yourself the following questions, decision-making becomes a lot easier:

1. How fast do you need to move?

Let’s say you need to showcase something to investors as soon as possible. In such cases, when you are short of time and want to get things done real quick, you prioritize speed and choose SaaS. But if you plan to build a long-term solution or achieve seamless integration into your operations, custom software is worth all the resources involved.

2. How unique are your needs?

A SaaS platform can easily handle generic uses like monitoring temperature, GPS tracking or smart lighting solutions. However, if the workflows of your business are complex and unique in nature or if you need features other than what SaaS offers, custom software would surely be a better choice.

3. What’s your budget structure?

If you’re a startup or a growing company with limited funds, SaaS pricing makes it an attractive option. It’s affordable, fast & easy to execute and doesn’t even need to hire developers. But if you’re an established company with a clear long-term plan in hand and sufficient capital to invest, custom software will be a powerful asset for you that also offers long-term ROI.

4. How much control do you need?

In SaaS platforms, nothing is in your hands: how features work, the frequency of updates or even the way your data is stored. If it’s fine by you, then it’s fine to go with it. But if you need every function to match your operations or want full ownership of data, this is only possible with custom development.

5. What about long-term scalability?

While SaaS management platforms can handle basic scaling quite efficiently but nothing more and intense. You need to opt for custom if you plan for unique and frequent customizations, blend in multiple platforms or use it for in-house functions.

Get the best of both worlds

Why choose one over the other when you can bring on board the power of two? Yes, it’s possible. Many businesses start with a SaaS IoT solution first. This way, they can do the basic testing of the system and collect actual user feedback. Through this, it’s can be learned what works and what doesn’t. After they have a clarity, businesses can confidently move on to custom software development that is actually built with real insights. This is a very and cost-effective approach because it helps reduce risks and leads to a smoother transition. The test-and-scale model is especially useful if requirements are initially unclear.

Conclusion

Choosing between custom vs SaaS software for your IoT web solution isn’t just like choosing between building and renting your home. You eventually go with what aligns best with your vision, needs, budget and goals. There’s no right or wrong option because one gives you speed and simplicity and the other offers ownership and customization.

If you’ve just started with your business journey, SaaS might be good and if you’re scaling up or building a unique setup, custom it is! Still not convinced? Psiborg is here for you! From making decisions to deploying the software, we’ll be there at every step. Let’s discuss what would works best for your business and help you with our expertise, experience and agility.