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An innovative approach to data analysis is gaining a foothold in the analytics industry: it is called Solution as a Service (SolaaS). This idea places a new spin on proven strategies with a two-pronged approach that combines: 
 

1. Powerful software: Strong backend and intuitive frontend
2. People: Expert services to facilitate vendor-customer collaboration

How exactly can this recently developed approach to data analytics benefit your business? In this post, we're taking a closer look at Solution as a Service as an analytics solution, highlighting how it compares to other types of analytics options, and detailing its value to the business.

What is Solution as a Service?

At its essence, Solution as a Service combines top-of-the-line analytics software products with a team of highly trained data scientists through a single vendor. Customers get access to analytics software and people, a combination which yields a powerful analytics solution.

"Solution as a Service" may be new terminology, but it is based upon ideas that have already proven successful in the analytics industry and beyond. Much like a marketing department hires an agency to handle its projects or a company might outsource some of its work, businesses can hire a Solution as a Service vendor to execute their analytics projects on-premise or in the cloud.
 
Every analytics project is comprised of three parts: 

1. The backend (analytics engine)
2. The frontend (presentation of results)
3. People (in the form of customer-vendor collaboration)

Solution as a Service seamlessly marries all three components, creating a synergistic solution. 

Analytics software is a complicated entity that requires constant upkeep and fine-tuning; it's necessary to have a knowledgeable team consistently working with it. The data scientists employed by a Solution as a Service provider intimately understand the software with which they're working. This experience also means they are well-equipped to recognize the challenges faced by businesses in a variety of industries. As they implement the software and target the analysis for a particular client, they also recognize actionable insights. 

Once these insights emerge, their presentation is critical, Solution as a Service team considers the unique needs and goals of a business, and designs a presentation of results and actionable insights to a company's advantage. There is never a cookie-cutter approach or standard dashboard in which insights are presented. Businesses are handed results tailored specifically for them by the team. 

Solution as a Service offers an enormous advantage to the customer. When questions or issues with the analytics backend arise, they are addressed immediately by a team of software specialists and data scientists. The client never needs to speculate about who will be responsible for handling fixes or issues. Additionally, the presentation of results can be adjusted throughout the process to meet the client's changing needs. 

Unlike other approaches, Solution as a Service allows customers to test the efficacy of the software, and offers flexibility. Moreover, Solution as a Service projects are set at a fixed, monthly cost, so clients never have to worry about accruing steep consulting fees or other charges. 

How Does Solution as a Service Benefit Businesses?

Businesses embarking on analytics projects must choose among vendors who either lack a team of in-house data scientists, don't own their analytics engine or can't offer a customizable frontend presentation of insights. That doesn't have to be the case.

Solution as a Service presents customers with a better option with following benefits:

• Vendor-Owned Backend

While many analytics vendors license their analytics software from a third-party vendor, Solution as a Service vendors, like PolyVista, have built and own their backend. With Solution as a Service, if a client has questions or issues with the software, there is no need for the vendor to contact a third-party provider and wait for changes or fixes to be implemented. Instead, alterations are immediately handled by the Solution as a Service development team -- there is no disconnect between the customer and the vendor. 

• People Are Part of the Solution

Access to highly trained data scientists helps differentiate Solution as a Service from other approaches. These analysts work directly with the software development team managing the software, recognizing valuable patterns or insights and ensuring that any flaws are pinpointed and are promptly implemented. 

• Efficiency

Because Solution as a Service includes access to analysts, businesses do not have to hire and retain their own team to manipulate software, saving them time and money. Many businesses mistakenly think they can rely on their IT team to handle analytics software, only to learn that their in-house developers are not familiar with the engine's intricacies. Since the Solution as a Service team of data scientists are intimately familiar with the analytics software, there is no time lost ramping up on software or business knowledge at the client's expense. 

• Unique Presentation of Insights

The success of an analytics project depends on the "last mile," the point at which results are presented. While many analytics vendors take a cookie-cutter approach to presenting insights using a generic dashboard, Solution as a Service vendor works with clients to create a customizable and user-focused presentation layer.  

• Collaboration

Client-vendor collaboration is not only welcome, it's encouraged with Solution as a Service. Moreover, when questions or fixes arise, they're expeditiously handled by the Solution as a Service development team. Solution as a Service vendors devote time and resources to building their client-vendor relationships so they're equipped to design a relevant frontend. A Solution as a Service provider like PolyVista, for example, listens closely to its clients' needs and will incorporate those learnings into the engine and presentation layer. 

• Cost Effective

Many business leaders cringe at the thought of using software that requires expensive consultants. Solution as a Service alleviates these fears by charging a fixed, monthly rate. This fee includes the software, access to data scientists working on the project, and the final presentation of insights. Additionally, Solution as a Service does not tie customers to a long contract. Rather, contracts operate on a basis that best suits the customer; this includes one-time, month-to-month, and multi-month contracts.  

Summary

Solution as a Service puts a new spin to existing concepts. A single vendor combines powerful software, highly trained data scientists, and a collaborative philosophy. Together, these three aspects bring success to customer’s analytics projects and offer many benefits, including improved ROI, cost effectiveness and efficiency.