In the 2020s, an increasing number of vehicle inspection companies are familiar with the key benefits of a SaaS-based ERP solution: predictable software use and development costs, added business efficiency and less manual work, convenient integration to other systems, effective reporting as well as comprehensive marketing and after sales support. Many companies nonetheless find migration to a modern environment to be an insurmountable obstacle, despite their discontent with their current solution.
In this blog post, we describe three typical obstacles hindering the upgrade and advise on how to work around them. By focusing attention on the right aspects and partnering up with a reliable SaaS service provider, it is possible to find a migration path that feels both feasible and reliable to step on.
As with any IT solution migration, and particularly in the case of a business-critical solution such as an ERP system, the decision to step on a migration path is not made lightly. Even when service providers are willing to extend their service offering as far as possible, they cannot make business decisions on the customer’s behalf, or manage all aspects related to workflow changes, internal communications, or other such major aspects related to a shift from one IT solution to another.
Having said that, many are surprised to hear how far service providers can, in fact, facilitate the process, present different solution options and make recommendations based on their experience. The starting point is unique for each vehicle inspection company, and so should be the migration path. Therefore, the scope and pace of the shift are also for the customer company to decide.
Three typical obstacles holding up the migration decision
Baggage from the legacy system
Perhaps the most usual scenario with customers considering a SaaS-based ERP solution is this: they have an existing system in place which they either maintain and develop themselves or have acquired from a third party. For many vehicle inspection companies, one of the key reasons for not having migrated to a SaaS-based solution is the fact that they feel overwhelmed by the baggage that their legacy solution brings.
Experienced SaaS solution providers are familiar with the many starting points that vehicle inspection businesses are dealing with, however. The service providers are willing and able to plan ahead while realistically considering their customer’s current situation. One of the things that makes vehicle inspection a somewhat easier service to process is the fact that it is subject to statutory regulations and the service repertoire is therefore relatively uniform and limited.
What’s more, with a SaaS-based system, the vehicle inspection company can rely on its partner to maintain and develop the system from the deployment onwards, and concentrate their own full focus on their core business.
Fear of change
Migration from an existing system, often a rather outdated one, involves not only a replacement of the technical solution but also a change of mindset and workflow. Modern SaaS solutions help vehicle inspection companies throughout the customer service process, but only if the staff approves the system, uses it actively, and sees how it benefits their daily work. This is another step where a SaaS service provider shows its might: efficient user training helps the company make the most out of its newly deployed SaaS solution.
To give a few examples, a comprehensive system supports receptionists with effective customer data management, the hands-on inspection staff with guidance through all the relevant inspection steps and automated alerts, the financial staff with payment-related functionalities and automated reports, marketers with various marketing and after sales options, and the management with a wealth of business reports available.
Most importantly, a modern ERP solution also benefits the customer in a number of ways, such as easy appointment booking, extended reports on vehicle condition well beyond the statutory level, and many marketing-related benefits, such as timely reminders, campaign offers and even price optimisation.
Price tag
Of course, there’s always a price tag involved. And frankly, it is often very difficult to tell the exact size of the price tag of a deployment project in advance, as it depends on many factors, the two main ones being
- the scope of the existing system and data
- the scope of the new system and functionalities to be deployed.
Once a SaaS solution has been deployed, however, the expenses are very predictable. Usually, a fixed monthly fee is applied and covers all basic maintenance and upkeep. This, in itself, can be a massive improvement and relief for a vehicle inspection company.
Other financial benefits that often shorten the payback period include improved inspection efficiency, shorter lead times, less manual work at the different stages of the process, as well as effective marketing and after sales measures. Many additional benefits will also materialise in the longer term and carry a lot of significance, such as improved customer satisfaction, improved employee retention and improved scalability – both nationally and internationally.
To have a closer look at the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of SaaS migration for vehicle inspection businesses, download our guide ‘Why and how to migrate to a SaaS solution in the vehicle inspection business’ free of charge.
If this topic is currently under discussion in your company, we would also be happy to hear from you and set up a brief session to see how we can help your individual decision-making process. Book a meeting →
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