Subscription-based services such as Netflix, Dropbox, and Spotify have become an integral part of our everyday lives. So much, in fact, that according to Forbes, the average American uses 3.4 services just for streaming! But what, if any, impact has this had on B2B commerce?
Xcel Office Solutions began as a Xerox agency over twenty years ago. We sold office copiers and digital production printers to businesses across central and southern Oklahoma. Since then, we have evolved into a holistic technology company that builds custom solutions for small to medium-sized businesses, specifically in the Oklahoma City market.
Historically, our payment options have included sales and leasing, but the recent growth of subscription-based services in the consumer market has increased the demand for a similar alternative in the B2B space. As a result, we had to adapt quickly to meet the changing needs of our customers.
This “pay-as-you-go” concept was first introduced in the 1960s but did not gain popularity until the 90’s when businesses realized they could use the Internet to store data and host critical applications for a fraction of the cost to do it in-house. Instead, they would pay a cloud provider to use software hosted on a remote computer and access it through the Internet. This model is known as Software-as-a-Service, or Saas. Dropbox, Salesforce, and Microsoft 365 are among the most common cloud-based applications businesses use today.
Fast forward to 2021, and Saas has now evolved to include hardware such as phones, computers, servers, networking equipment, etc. For example, we now sell packages that include hardware, installation, training, and ongoing maintenance and support for a fixed, monthly rate. It is known as Hardware-as-a-service (Haas).
Benefits of Haas
Haas is quickly becoming the preferred method of buying and consuming technology in Oklahoma because of the many benefits it offers businesses.
The initial investment is low.
With Haas, you are no longer required to invest a large amount of money upfront on infrastructure. Converting this capital expense to a monthly operating expense has proven to be a more cost-effective solution that gives businesses the ability to take advantage of technology they may not have been able to afford previously. Flat rates also make costs predictable, so forecasting costs easy.
You are not responsible for maintenance.
Hiring internal IT staff is just not a viable option for businesses on tight budgets, but with Haas, the managed services provider assumes the responsibility for maintaining the equipment as outlined in the Service Level Agreement. This may include performing preventative maintenance, repairs, or even providing replacement devices if necessary. This coverage allows you to breathe easy and focus on other priorities.
You will not get stuck with obsolete equipment.
Although there is no right or wrong way to acquire new technology, few business owners purchase their equipment. Because technology evolves so quickly, they do not want to be anchored to hardware that is no longer compatible with current systems and applications or is causing a negative impact on productivity. Haas gives you access to the most cutting-edge technologies so you can maintain a competitive advantage.
Why Haas is Better than Leasing?
Although Haas is similar to leasing, there is one major difference – we make the rules! Over the years, leasing has left a bad taste in the mouths of many business owners due to its high interest rates, ancillary fees, and rigid cancellation terms. With Haas, we create the agreements and have the flexibility to adjust them based on the best interests of our customers. This may involve anything from term lengths to contract extensions and/or adjustments. In the end, our objective is to deliver outstanding service to help you meet your goals.
If you are interested in learning more about how Haas can benefit your business, please call us at (405) 748-4222 or visit us online at www.xceloffice.com and schedule your free technology assessment today.
