Andrew Holloway on Pixabay The vast majority of companies have been addicted for many years to software-as-a-service applications.  Month after month, organizations worldwide pay tens of billions of dollars in efforts to obtain “easy,” on-demand solutions to the problems of the day.  But the solutions are never easy. Most apps never really deliver on their… Read More »A 12-step FAIR data fabric program for recovering application addicts

Understanding the Current Dependence on Software-As-A-Service Applications

The prevalent trend among businesses across the globe is a heavy reliance on software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications. For several years, companies have been investing immense resources into these applications in the hopes of attaining fast, accessible solutions to their daily operational challenges. This dependence is expressed in the billions of dollars shelled out monthly by organizations worldwide for these services.

Contrary to what was initially perceived as an “easy” solution, the promise of ease rarely materializes. Despite the high costs, implementation challenges and high expectations, many of these apps fail to meet the desired objectives and expectations set by the organizations.

The Future Trends and Implications of Shifting Away from SaaS Applications

Let’s look at how businesses might change their strategies over time due to these challenges and the upcoming trends away from software-as-a-service applications.

The Emergence of the FAIR Data Fabric Program

Companies aware of the shortcomings of the SaaS applications are resorting to alternatives for maximizing value from their operational data. One such future development may be the adaptation of the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data fabric program.

Data fabric technology, under the principles of FAIR, promises to improve data accessibility and integration. It enables companies to maximize their data value while ensuring prolonged use and interoperability of their data. The emergence of this technology may shift the dependency away from traditional SaaS applications.

How Can Businesses Prepare for This Long-Term Shift?

Laying actionable blueprints down accurately will help organizations adapt to this shift from addictive SaaS reliance towards efficient, FAIR data fabric applications. Here are possible steps to take:

1. Evaluate Current SaaS Usage: Understanding current application usage can help identify areas of inefficiency and dependence. This evaluation can enable companies to spot which applications meet their needs and which ones fall short.
2. Identify Data Challenges: Identify current barriers that restrict effective data utilization and management. This step involves addressing data accessibility, integration, and usage issues.
3. Explore the FAIR Principles: Adoption of FAIR data fabric technology can potentially help address the shortcomings of SaaS applications. Understand the mechanics, benefits, and limitations of the FAIR principles to make an informed decision.
4. Plan a Gradual Shift: Once both the advantages and practicality of FAIR technology are comprehended, drafting a plan for a gradual shift to this new platform would be an advisable strategy.

Conclusion

While the addiction to SaaS applications has been prevalent for many years now, the future seems to inch towards a comprehensive, data-focused solution in the face of data fabric technology. Thorough planning, and a gradual shift towards the utilization of FAIR principles, could hold the key to maximizing returns and efficiencies from organizational data.

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