GLENVIEW, Ill. — June 17, 2008 – A recent survey conducted by online payroll service SurePayroll reveals that small business owners are increasingly abandoning traditional desktop software solutions in favor of Web-based software that better allows them to compete with big business, with nearly 3 out of 4 saying they rely on it to be successful.
Web-based software, commonly known as "software as a service" (SaaS), enables users to work in an online environment instead of purchasing or licensing the software, which has been the more traditional approach among business owners. Some of the most well-known examples of SaaS include SalesForce, McAfee and banks that provide online accounts.
The survey suggests that SaaS is making significant strides in popularity in the small business community, with 58 percent of respondents indicating that their use of Web-based software is increasing dramatically each year, in addition to the nearly three-fourths who feel business success depends on it.
"The use of online software is growing so rapidly among small business owners because they understand that it can mean the difference between success and failure," says SurePayroll Chief Technology Officer Michael Fineberg. "Access to these comprehensive, easy-to-use solutions allows small businesses to level the playing field with big business to a greater extent than ever."
According to the survey results, SaaS popularity will not wane anytime soon. In fact, 3 out of 4 respondents believe that within 10 years there will be no such thing as desktop software and that all applications will exist on servers that users will access remotely.
"When SurePayroll launched the first SaaS payroll service in 2000, it was only the early technology adaptors who immediately saw the benefits and jumped on board," says Fineberg. "In 2008, most small business owners seem to understand the advantages of using Web-based software as a low-maintenance and low-commitment business tool."
According to a survey of business technology professionals conducted by InformationWeek Research and publicized in the June 2008 issue of InformationWeek, SaaS is an appealing solution for business leaders because of its reliability, ease of use and ability to be upgraded. SurePayroll's survey had similar findings, with respondents saying they enjoy convenient access from anywhere, the fact that they don't need internal support for the software, and fast and easy implementation.
SaaS Security Ranks as Top Concern Among Small Business Owners
Although most small business owners are using SaaS to achieve big business benefits, the SurePayroll survey also indicates that they do not necessarily feel secure. 60 percent of respondents considered security risk a drawback of using Web-hosted software.
"It's true that not all Web-based software is secure, and that's why business owners have to make sure they fully understand the functionality and history of an online service before making it a part of their business," says Fineberg.
According to Fineberg, small business owners shouldn't be afraid to ask a Web-based business about their security, recommending they ask the following key questions:
"If business owners are informed about how to get the greatest advantage out of SaaS, it can dramatically increase productivity," he says. "The effects of this trend will only become more apparent as small business leaders continue to discover the nuances of Web-based software."
About SurePayroll:
SurePayroll is the online alternative to ADP® and Paychex®. SurePayroll's service and team members are dedicated to providing an easy, convenient online payroll service at a price small business owners can afford. Tens of thousands of customers rely on SurePayroll to process payroll wherever they want in as few as two minutes.
In addition, SurePayroll offers small businesses solutions for managing 401(k) plans, health insurance, workers' compensation, HR compliance and employee screening. For accountants and banking partners, SurePayroll provides private-label services that enable them to offer payroll processing to their small business clients.
Over the last decade, SurePayroll has received numerous prestigious awards for its innovative technology and outstanding customer service, including recognition from PC Magazine, Inc. 500, Accounting Today, the Stevie Awards and many others.
For more information, you can visit http://www.surepayroll.com, call 877.954.7873 or follow us on http://twitter.com/SurePayroll.
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