SaaS (Software as a Service)
Also called: Cloud Software, Subscription Software
Not to be confused with: Custom software, which is built for a single company's operations rather than sold as a multi-tenant product.
Software delivered over the internet on a subscription basis, where one product serves many customers. In construction, SaaS platforms provide standardized project management, accounting, and field management tools.
Why It Matters in Construction
SaaS works well for standardized processes but struggles with company-specific workflows. As contractors scale, the gap between SaaS capabilities and operational needs grows, driving the need for custom solutions.
Common Examples
- A project management platform used by thousands of contractors with the same feature set.
- Monthly subscription pricing based on user count or project volume.
- Vendor-controlled update cycles that change features without customer input.