Since the acceleration of digital technology, electrical utilities have often relied on in-house or “homemade” software solutions for data collection tools. Piecing together a range of different solutions might provide a degree of control and customization. However, this fragmentary approach also comes with serious challenges that can negatively impact utilities, particularly around IT workload and opportunity costs.
Join us as we explore why SaaS data collection tools not only help utilities better manage IT workload but are essential to the entire organization.
The IT downsides of DIY software solutions
In-house software solutions often come with significant hidden costs which place a high burden on IT teams. Developing and managing a utility’s homemade data collection strategy often leads to a range of complications, including:
- Resource drain: In-house systems need a dedicated team of always-on IT professionals to continually develop, maintain and troubleshoot software operations, a resource sink of time, money, and labor.
- Opportunity costs: The never-ending cycle of designing, implementing, testing, and updating software drains valuable resources better used to drive more strategic opportunities, significantly inflating the total cost of ownership (TCO) over time.
- Decelerated agility and growth: Stubbornly maintaining existing software prevents utilities from exploring and implementing more innovative solutions, restricting their ability to evolve and adapt as operational needs change.
- Specialized skill requirement: Managing in-house software often requires IT team members with specialized skills. Recruiting, hiring, training, and retaining this specialized staff is costly and time-consuming.
- Disrupted workflow: Continuous updates and system maintenance causes frequent disruptions and significant downtime to daily operations.
- Imbalanced resource allocation: When a IT must work on maintenance and troubleshooting, other areas that could benefit from IT expertise or investment are neglected.
- Delayed problem-solving: Managing in-house software is time-consuming and can lead to delayed responses to other IT-related issues.
- Unpredictable costs: The piecemeal nature of homemade solutions means nothing fits perfectly. This can result in system breakdowns with unpredictable downtime and repair costs.
Reducing IT Workload and Optimizing Resources with SaaS Data Collection Tools
Implementing SaaS solutions for electrical utility data collection offers many benefits that reduce the IT workload and optimize operational efficiency. Here are some key advantages:
- External management: SaaS data collection tools are managed by external providers specializing in maintaining and troubleshooting the software. This drastically reduces the requirement for an in-house IT team and frees IT resources for other strategic initiatives.
- Automatic updates: From the latest features to security patches, the provider handles all SaaS software updates. This helps to unburden IT teams and saves time and effort.
- Robust customer support: SaaS data collection tools offer robust customer support to utilities that can quickly resolve queries and problems without involving an IT team.
- Scalability: Cloud-based and scalable, SaaS data collection tools allow utilities to adjust usage and customize implementation based on evolving priorities. Only paying for what they use reduces costs for utilities, while ensuring they have the flexibility to adapt to changing needs and demands.
- Improved productivity and efficiency: Without the need for constant software maintenance, SaaS platforms free up employees to prioritize more strategic tasks.
- Significant cost savings: SaaS data collection tools allow utilities to bypass capital expenditures like building and maintaining their own IT infrastructure. It also reduces the direct and indirect costs associated with an in-house IT team, such as training, salaries, and overhead.
- Access to advanced software: With SaaS providers offering continuous updates and improvements, electrical utilities will always have access to the most advanced software available. Using the latest and greatest solutions optimizes data collection to drive better decisions and operational outcomes.
Embracing SaaS data collection tools will reduce any organization’s IT workload and optimize its resource allocation. By offloading a significant amount of IT responsibilities to SaaS providers, utilities free up time and resources. This allows IT teams to increase productivity, and ultimately achieve a higher level of service and efficiency.
The strategic shift toward SaaS
In-house solutions may once have been an understandable, logical choice. However, the choice is clear – SaaS data collection tools can accelerate electrical utilities into a future of unparalleled efficiency and productivity and help them stay ahead of the digital curve.
Leading SaaS data collection tools like Fulcrum offer electrical utilities a powerful solution to navigate digital transformation. Fulcrum is specially designed to help utilities significantly reduce IT workload, enhance resource optimization and operational efficiency. Using Fulcrum helps electric utilities reap substantial cost savings while markedly improving the quality and efficiency of data collection processes.
If you missed the first installation in our SaaS Data Collection Tools Are Best for Electric Utilities series, you can start here to catch up. Or, you can simply sign up to learn more about the Fulcrum platform with a no-obligation chat with one of our Fulcrum experts. You’ll be happy you did!