Why companies are choosing cloud solutions today
In our conversations with IT leaders and executives, one message comes through loud and clear: SaaS is no longer an experiment, but a deliberate strategic choice.
We wanted to understand more precisely why companies are making this move and what lessons they have learned along the way.
The answers are telling: the SaaS model has matured, and so have the expectations of IT leaders.
Just a few years ago, “SaaS” was a loaded term for many. The idea of running mission-critical applications from the cloud implied loss of control, higher costs, and vendor dependency.
Today, the landscape looks very different. SaaS (Software as a Service) has become an integral part of modern IT strategies, driven by efficiency, agility, and the pressure to innovate.
When we asked Brian Millsap, Senior Vice President and CIO at Hampton and a Perfion PIM customer, why his organization decided to move to SaaS, his response captured this shift perfectly:
“I’ve been in IT long enough to remember when SaaS was a dirty word. Early on, it meant higher licensing costs, less control, and more vendor dependency, all things that made IT leaders uneasy. But over time, the model has matured and so have we.”
This statement is emblematic of an entire generation of IT leaders who have realized that SaaS today is more than a delivery model. It represents partnership, trust, and continuous improvement.
From skepticism to maturity – a new perspective on IT responsibility
SaaS has not only changed how software is delivered, but also how companies think about IT. Previously, control was paramount: managing servers internally meant deciding when updates were installed, how security measures were applied, and where data was stored.
This made sense in a time when cloud technology was immature and trust was limited. But business demands have shifted: speed, scalability, and availability are now critical. Traditional on-premises approaches struggle to meet these requirements.
SaaS has emerged as the answer to a new balance: between control and relief, responsibility and trust.
Four reasons companies choose SaaS today
Brians’ feedback highlights what truly matters – not buzzwords, but strategic, tangible benefits.
1. Convenience: Less Effort, More Impact
“It’s (mostly) easier to deploy and manage.”
SaaS reduces the operational burden on IT teams. New features can be deployed in hours, not weeks. Updates run automatically, and system maintenance is centralized.
Importantly, IT is not replaced, it is freed to focus on strategic initiatives like process innovation, data strategy, or user experience.
Convenience, in this sense, means efficiency through focus.
2. Security: Shared Responsibility, Reduced Risk
“With fewer patching responsibilities, our teams can focus on higher-value work while vendors maintain up-to-date, secure platforms.”
Cloud security is no longer a contradiction, it is often superior. Many SaaS providers invest heavily in security, monitoring, and compliance, often beyond what individual companies could achieve.
This creates a new model of shared responsibility:
- Providers ensure platform security and regular updates.
- Companies focus on governance, access controls, and strategic risk management.
The result is a more resilient, scalable, and responsive security posture.
3. Cost Structure: From Ownership to Usage
“We’ve adapted to the shift from CapEx to OpEx, and we now have better tools to monitor and manage usage to ensure we’re getting value.”
The transition from capital expenditure (CapEx) to operational expenditure (OpEx) has changed how IT investments are viewed. Instead of locking up large sums, companies now pay for actual usage – flexibly and transparently.
Modern analytics tools make it possible to precisely measure value: where SaaS licenses deliver impact, and where optimization is needed.
The shift is conceptual: value over ownership becomes the benchmark for economic efficiency.
4. Continuous Improvement: Innovation as Standard
“Updates and upgrades happen automatically, and we no longer have to campaign internally to get users to adopt new versions.”
One of the biggest cultural differences between on-premises and SaaS systems is how change is managed. Traditional IT upgrades were projects that consumed resources and required user advocacy. Today, improvements are continuous – integrated, automated, and expected.
This dynamic transforms not only IT, but the broader company culture: innovation becomes the norm, not the exception.
Where SaaS still faces challenges: flexibility and fairness
Despite its maturity, a critical pain point remains. Brian explains candidly:
“Licensing flexibility is still a pain point. Some vendors, like Microsoft, lock us into rigid contracts where we can only add users, not reduce them. That’s not sustainable.”
The greatest strength of SaaS, its flexibility, cannot be undermined by rigid licensing. Companies expect not only modern technology but also fair, adaptable business arrangements.
The most successful providers understand SaaS as a partnership on equal footing:
- transparent contracts,
- predictable pricing,
- and a genuine commitment to customer success.
Trust, not just technology, is the differentiator.
From product to partnership
“The best partners are the ones who understand that agility and transparency are just as important as features.”
This captures the new reality: SaaS is no longer a product to be purchased. It is a relationship to be cultivated.
The difference between a vendor and a partner lies not in the technology, but in mindset.
Leading companies choose SaaS partners based on whether they understand the business, act flexibly, and are ready to share responsibility.
Technology can be bought – trust must be earned.
Conclusion: SaaS is more than an operating model – it’s a mindset
SaaS has matured. Today, it represents agility, security, and innovation, but above all, a new way of working between technology providers and companies.
The shift is not only in the cloud, it is in thinking: away from control, toward trust; away from one-off projects, toward continuous improvement.
Or, as Brian puts it:
“We’re choosing partners who get it right.”
This mindset is shaping the future of IT and it will determine which partnerships endure.
How we see it at Boyum
At Boyum, we share this perspective.
We believe that customers deserve flexibility, transparency, and a true partnership – not lock-in. That’s why we continue to develop SaaS solutions for the product value chain that reflect the evolving needs of users and businesses alike.
By embracing SaaS, we’re not just expanding our portfolio, we’re strengthening the foundation that has always defined Boyum: a deep, collaborative bond with our partners and customers.
Because in the end, sustainable innovation doesn’t come from technology alone – it comes from listening, adapting, and growing together.
SaaS products from Boyum
