Page 210 - Graphic Design and Print Production Fundamentals

198 Chapter 7. Web2print
the software to create as many portals or implementations as it wishes. While the software is supported
through a licence, it is expected that the company will maintain its own web presence, and therefore
may require highly trained web developers or programmers. The outlay of expense is gradually recouped
over time through increased user implementation.

The subscription model, also referred to as SaaS (software as a service) reduces a company’s support
and maintenance costs up front. Saas allows adding new print products to move forward more
quickly because the need to support the same version throughout computers internally is removed. All
subscribers operate on the same version at the same time, and are upgraded regularly at the same time.
Because the Internet is constantly evolving, the SaaS model is flexible and better aligned to move with
it. This business model contributes to a company’s return on investment (ROI) as well. Since a company
typically doesn’t pay a large sum of money upfront for the software, it can easily budget for payments
based on monthly usage. The company only pays for the services it uses. This business model builds
a partnership between the print company and its SaaS vendor, and a positive ROI is beneficial to both
parties in the partnership because it keeps both vendor and subscriber focused on mutual success.