Axes Software SaaS applications
By creating or further developing solutions in its own portfolio, the Axes Software team has taken its first steps in the field of SaaS (Software as a Service) applications. This became possible thanks to the project “Innovative platform for artificial intelligence management of work processes in factories and warehouses” (project code 129490), co-financed from the European Social Fund through the Competitiveness Operational Programme 2014-2020.
In this article we will talk about the software solutions created or developed within the project and the benefits of turning them into SaaS applications.
What is SaaS?
SaaS is a method of providing software solutions (usually web-based applications) that greatly simplifies licensing and delivery procedures. The system involves storing applications and customer data on a secure platform, hosted and managed in the cloud by the software solution provider, with restrictions on access to individual databases.
SaaS applications are increasingly sought after by customers because managing costly in-house IT resources (such as servers) or updating applications is no longer a user responsibility. It is the vendors who ensure that the applications they make available to customers are up to date and running at peak performance.
SaaS applications usually allow for the digitization of uncomplicated operations, and the versions offered are often standard versions with basic functionalities, where customization possibilities are (at least initially) reduced. At the request of any customer, the Axes Software team can offer, for a fee, the possibility of a more detailed customization of the installed software solution.
Users can directly access any application delivered through the SaaS system, from any place and at any time, through web browsers, from any device (tablet, desktop, laptop, etc.), either free of charge if the application has a free version, or against regular payments in the case of the full option version.
Features of SaaS applications offered by Axes Software
The SaaS applications that Axes Software can offer customers are: the xTrack WMS solution for warehouse and inventory management, xTrack TMS for transportation optimization, the xTrack POD application for delivery tracking and the newly developed xTrack YMS system that helps schedule activities and direct traffic in the warehouse yard.
The main features of xTrack WMS as a SaaS application are: user-friendly interface, intuitive structure, maximum cost efficiency, accessibility, scalability, operational stability.
In order to function properly, the SaaS version of xTrack WMS requires the administrator to go through several initial steps:
- enter some data (company data, email address, password) to create an account on Axes Software’s SaaS platform – when purchasing the xTrack WMS SaaS service, a cloud-based xTrack WMS server will be automatically created,
- access the application, using the access data received after the confirmation of the SaaS account registration,
- set the locations, the other users, the activities in the warehouse whose information flows will be digitized, select templates, etc.,
- connect and configure various equipment (such as printers or handheld terminals).
For ease of setup there is an Installation Wizard that guides customers step-by-step to select and save the desired system settings.
For other applications, these steps remain essentially unchanged, except that the types of settings and equipment connections will vary depending on the scope of use of each software solution and the type of devices that constitute the hardware infrastructure for digital operations.
The xTrack WMS delivered as SaaS is a standard version with basic functionalities that ensure tight management of warehouse activities and inventory. The administrator and users have free access to the application for a limited period. In this way, the Axes Software team gives customers the opportunity to test it. After the grace period has expired, the customer can choose to continue using the software solution for a fee and even to customize it to a much greater degree.
A grace period will be granted for the other three applications mentioned above as well.
Advantages and benefits of the Axes Software SaaS applications
Since only the xTrack WMS software solution has been finalized as a SaaS application formula as well at this time, we detail below some of the advantages and benefits it offers:
Quick installation & setup
The xTrack WMS system for managing essential warehouse workflows can be easily accessed via a web browser and requires little time for installation. After the creation and confirmation of the account registration, the administrator receives the necessary access data as well as simple and clear instructions for installing and configuring (customizing) xTrack WMS. The customers can also receive additional advice on how to install and configure the application (tutorials and training manuals) if they think the initial instructions are not easy enough to put into practice.
After installation, the administrator has to customize the xTrack WMS application according to the needs identified in the warehouse(s) she/he manages, selecting the appropriate functionalities and entering the parameters specific to the company’s activities. The ultimate goal of customizing the application is obviously to optimize and monitor operations at a basic level.
The ease with which the administrator installs and customizes the SaaS application is reflected in a short implementation time. Moreover, being designed as a user-friendly application, the learning time is also very short and the available functionalities can be used without delay.
Flexible integration
The application has an API interfacing module that allows it to connect with other external systems (e.g. a company’s ERP or even its website). Through such integrations, the necessary data on inbound and outbound orders, traded items and business partners, goods transfers and other specific warehouse operations can be imported into the xTrack WMS application. Administrators and users can track the order processing status, stock availability or view various reports using the desired information search filters.
Regular billing
An advantage of using xTrack WMS as SaaS is the billing method: the customer pays for services online, monthly, by bank card, based on the volume of transactions made.
The administrator can check the invoice history at any time as he can view both previously issued invoices and the current month’s transactions. In this way, he can easily track and manage monthly costs. These are calculated based on the number of lines in the outgoing orders the user processes each month using xTrack WMS.
In addition, the customer can also estimate the monthly payment for using the application with the help of a simulator integrated into the application. By entering an average number of lines in the outbound orders, any customer can estimate their monthly expenditure, which becomes thus predictable.
And we should also mention the upfront costs, which are obviously lower, as users do not cover the cost of licenses and, often, the cost of installing the application.
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Learn more about the standard SaaS xTrack WMS version (and why not, the xTrack TMS one) and the role it plays in managing your company’s day-to-day operations. Our consultants can also provide you with further information on how to customize the application so that it meets all your requirements. Fill in the form below and we shall contact you!
