Mastering SaaS in Norway: The All-Inclusive Playbook

Deity Consulting -

Comprehensive Guide to Offering SaaS in Norway

In the ever-evolving technological landscape, the term "SaaS," an acronym that stands for "Software as a Service," echoes often. Hva er SaaS, you may ask? It's a cloud-based software delivery model where users access software over the internet, typically through a subscription model. Today, we're focusing on the tremendous potential for offering SaaS in the vibrant nation of Norway.

Understanding SaaS

A SaaS company is one that hosts applications and makes them available to customers over the internet. The fundamental principle of SaaS is that it eliminates the need for organizations to install and run applications on their own computers or data centers. This frees businesses from the intricacies of software maintenance, ongoing operation, and support.

There are various examples of SaaS, ranging from large platforms like Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace to more specific solutions, like Shopify for e-commerce and Salesforce for customer relationship management (CRM). In essence, SaaS offers an assortment of business solutions across several domains.

Why Norway?

Norway, known for its stunning fjords and northern lights, is also a thriving technology hub, with a digital-savvy population and an environment conducive to SaaS. Offering SaaS in Norway opens up opportunities for businesses to cater to a wide range of sectors, including but not limited to, the following:

Collaboration Tools

Today's business world is increasingly moving towards remote work models, and Norway is no exception. Collaboration tools, like video conferencing and project management software, have seen an uptick in demand. They are prime examples of SaaS that enable remote teams to work cohesively and efficiently, no matter where they're located.

Open Source Collaboration Tools:

  1. Mattermost: Mattermost is a flexible, open-source messaging and collaboration platform. It offers features like private and public chats, file sharing, and integrations with software such as Jira, Jenkins, and GitLab.
  2. Rocket.Chat: This open-source tool allows organizations to communicate and collaborate with team members via text, video, and voice. It also provides file sharing capabilities and real-time translation.
  3. Nextcloud: Nextcloud isn't just for file syncing and sharing. It also offers document collaboration, calendars, and contacts. It's an open-source alternative to commercial platforms like Dropbox and Google Drive.
  4. Jitsi: Jitsi is an open-source platform for video conferencing and messaging. It's encrypted, doesn't require an account, and you can self-host it on your own server.
  5. Taiga: Taiga is an open-source project management platform for startups, Agile developers, and designers. It supports Scrum, Kanban, Epics, and issues tracking.

Proprietary Collaboration Tools:

  1. Slack: Slack is a proprietary team collaboration software that enables messaging, file sharing, video calling, and integration with various third-party applications such as Google Drive, Trello, and Dropbox.
  2. Microsoft Teams: Part of Microsoft's 365 suite of products, Teams allows chat, meetings, calls, and collaboration all in one place, along with integrations with other Microsoft applications.
  3. Zoom: Zoom is a proprietary video conferencing tool that also provides chat functionality. It supports webinars, meetings, and a digital collaboration workspace.
  4. Asana: Asana is a proprietary project and task management tool that helps teams organize, track, and manage their work.
  5. Google Workspace: Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) is a collection of cloud computing, productivity, and collaboration tools developed by Google. It includes Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet, amongst other tools.

Accounting Software

Small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) form the backbone of Norway's economy. These businesses can greatly benefit from SaaS solutions, like accounting software, which streamline financial management and provide real-time insights into their financial health.

Open Source Accounting Software:

  1. GnuCash: GnuCash is a personal and small-business financial-accounting software that allows you to track bank accounts, stocks, income, and expenses.
  2. Odoo: Odoo is an all-in-one management software offering a range of business applications including CRM, e-commerce, billing, accounting, manufacturing, warehouse, project management, and inventory management.
  3. TurboCASH: TurboCASH is an open-source accounting software for small businesses. It includes most functions a business will need, such as invoicing, reconciliation, AR, AP, and tax reporting.
  4. FrontAccounting: It is a professional web-based Accounting system for the entire ERP chain. It is an open-source software, primarily for small businesses.
  5. PostBooks: PostBooks is a comprehensive open-source accounting system that also includes ERP and CRM functionality. It is targeted for small to medium-sized businesses.

Proprietary Accounting Software:

  1. QuickBooks: QuickBooks by Intuit is a comprehensive accounting solution that provides invoicing, cash flow management, tax, sales tracking, and more.
  2. FreshBooks: FreshBooks is a cloud-based accounting software service designed for owners of small client-service businesses.
  3. Xero: Xero is a cloud-based accounting software platform for small and medium-sized businesses. It features strong accounting, extensive integrations, and a variety of features like invoicing, billing, and expense tracking.
  4. Zoho Books: Zoho Books is an online accounting software that allows you to easily manage the money flowing in and out of your business, all from a single platform.
  5. Sage Business Cloud Accounting: Sage offers a range of financial and accounting software solutions for small businesses. It provides tools for invoicing, cash flow, budgeting, inventory, and more.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software

For any business, managing customer interactions effectively is crucial. This is where CRM software steps in as a robust SaaS example. CRM tools aid businesses in efficiently managing their sales, marketing, and customer service, thereby improving customer retention and driving business growth.

Open Source 

  1. SuiteCRM: SuiteCRM is an open-source Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform. It offers sales force automation, marketing campaigns, customer support, collaboration, mobile CRM, social CRM, and reporting.
  2. Zurmo: Zurmo is an open-source CRM platform that includes sales automation, marketing automation, contact management, and mobile CRM, among other features.
  3. EspoCRM: EspoCRM is a simple, fast, and customizable open source CRM application that allows managing custom relationships, sales pipelines, conducting campaigns, creating reports, and much more.
  4. CiviCRM: CiviCRM is an open-source CRM built specifically for non-profits. Its functionality includes contact management, event management, member management, email marketing, and more.
  5. vtiger CRM: This is an open-source CRM software that provides sales, customer service, and marketing features in its freely available version.

Proprietary 

  1. Salesforce: Salesforce is a highly popular cloud-based CRM system offering a comprehensive suite of services like marketing automation, customer service, and partner relationship management.
  2. HubSpot CRM: HubSpot provides a suite of inbound marketing, sales, and service tools. It offers features for social media marketing, content management, web analytics, landing pages, customer support, and SEO.
  3. Zoho CRM: Zoho CRM offers a comprehensive set of features with a straightforward pricing scheme. It provides real-time sales insights, productivity tools, and team collaboration tools.
  4. Pipedrive: Pipedrive is a sales-focused CRM system. Its features help users to manage leads and deals, track communications, automate tasks, and make reports.
  5. Microsoft Dynamics 365: Microsoft's enterprise-grade CRM offering, Dynamics 365 includes applications for Sales, Field Service, Customer Service, and Project Service Automation.

Human Resources (HR) Software

Managing employee information, benefits, payroll, and compliance is a complex task for businesses. HR software solutions simplify these processes, making them more manageable and less prone to error.

Open Source 

  1. OrangeHRM: OrangeHRM is an open-source HRM solution for small and mid-sized businesses. It provides comprehensive HR tools like personnel information management, employee self-service, leave management, time and attendance tracking, and more.
  2. Jorani: Jorani is a lightweight open-source leave and overtime management system. It provides simple and easy-to-use leave and overtime request workflows.
  3. IceHRM: IceHRM is an open-source HRM software that provides a wealth of modules to suit the needs of your business. This software comes in three versions: free, pro, and enterprise.
  4. Sentrifugo: Sentrifugo offers HR functions like personnel information management, leave and absence management, performance appraisals, and recruitment.
  5. Odoo HR: Odoo provides a complete open-source HR suite that includes recruitment, employee management, expense management, leaves management, and more.

Proprietary 

  1. BambooHR: BambooHR is an online HR system for small and growing businesses. Its software solutions include applicant tracking, onboarding tools, e-signatures, time-off tracking, and performance management, among others.
  2. Zoho People: Zoho People lets you manage all your HR functions from a single platform. It automates HR processes to save time and reduce errors.
  3. Gusto: Gusto provides a cloud-based HR, benefits, and payroll platform. It is built primarily for small businesses, helping them with payroll, benefits, and team management.
  4. Workday: Workday is a cloud-based software vendor that specializes in human capital management (HCM), ERP, and financial management applications.
  5. SAP SuccessFactors: SAP SuccessFactors is a world-leading provider of cloud human experience management (HXM) – the new people-focused term for HCM.

E-commerce Platforms

With the rise in online shopping, especially in the wake of the global pandemic, e-commerce platforms are more relevant than ever. These SaaS tools provide a platform for businesses to sell their products or services online and handle inventory, orders, and payments effectively.

Open Source 

  1. Magento Open Source: Previously known as Magento Community Edition, it provides online merchants with a flexible shopping cart system and control over the look, content, and functionality of their online store.
  2. WooCommerce: A WordPress plugin that turns your website into a fully functional e-commerce store. It is designed for small to large-sized online merchants using WordPress.
  3. PrestaShop: PrestaShop is a freemium, open-source e-commerce solution. The software is published under the Open Software License and it's written in PHP with support for the MySQL database management system.
  4. OpenCart: OpenCart is an online store management system that's PHP-based and uses MySQL database and HTML components. Support is provided for different languages and currencies.
  5. osCommerce: osCommerce (open source Commerce) is an e-commerce and online store-management software program that offers a wide range of out-of-the-box features.

Proprietary 

  1. Shopify: Shopify is a complete e-commerce platform that lets you start, grow, and manage a business. It offers a suite of services including payments, marketing, shipping, and customer engagement tools.
  2. BigCommerce: BigCommerce is a paid-for, proprietary e-commerce platform that lets you create an online store. It provides a range of customizable templates to help design your storefront, along with features for hosting, SEO, marketing tools, and more.
  3. Wix eCommerce: Wix eCommerce is part of the popular Wix website builder platform. It allows for the creation of a robust online store with a variety of selling, marketing, and management tools.
  4. Squarespace Commerce: Squarespace Commerce is a proprietary e-commerce platform integrated into the Squarespace website builder. It's aimed at small to medium-sized businesses and offers a variety of customizable templates.
  5. Volusion: Volusion provides an all-in-one e-commerce solution for all business types, ranging from startups to large enterprises. It offers everything you need to build and manage your online store.

Final Thoughts

Offering SaaS to Norway is about understanding the unique demands of Norwegian businesses and tailoring solutions that cater to their specific needs. Remember, while the opportunities are plentiful, thorough market research and analysis of competition are critical to success.

As an aspiring SaaS provider in Norway, it's key to ask yourself: what is a SaaS company that stands out in this market? What are SaaS companies doing right, and how can I emulate their success in a unique way? What does SaaS mean to my potential customers, and how can I add value to them?

Incorporating SaaS into your business model could pave the way for exponential growth. With the right approach, you can harness the potential of SaaS and bring value to the vibrant, tech-savvy landscape of Norway.

Hva betyr SaaS for din bedrift? Let us join you in answering this question and embarking on a prosperous journey into the world of SaaS in Norway.