The move of delivering software through the cloud as a service (SaaS) has revolutionised the way in which businesses operate.
Now, the majority of the software or IT services a business may require is available in the cloud, ready for easy downloading and automatic updating. This method has helped to streamline IT demands within businesses, freeing up critical IT infrastructure and in doing so cutting down on initial outlay expenditure costs, and alleviating continuing overhead costs.
With these points in mind, you can understand why so many businesses are moving their IT services to the cloud. Far from replacing the important role that IT providers and service staff play to the running of a business, cloud computing is taking away the stress that traditional on-premise hardware and software imposes, and is creating further financial opportunities for those savvy business development managers and sales executives within the IT industry. These individuals are taking advantage of the cloud's ability to be sold and implemented on a subscription business model.
Subscription business models have been around for a long time, with their use pioneered by magazines and newspapers. With the advent of cloud technology, businesses have been able to adapt these products and services to the same model. The supply of services through the cloud doesn't typically tend to be a one off purchase. Services can be paid for in small increments on a monthly or annual subscription plan, removing the need for excessive capital outlay for the customer. It is just one of the many defining attributes of cloud services, which gives customers the ability to install easily, set and forget, reduce downtime, scale up or scale down as desired, maintain software updates automatically, and only pay for what is needed or utilised.
As the popularity of cloud services grows, so does the need for IT suppliers and technicians to provide subscription-based cloud services for their customers. You might worry that with great power comes great responsibility, however the power comes from the subscription model itself. When you sell/recommend cloud services on a subscription model, you are providing an updated and maintenance free service, that's best value for your customer and for your business.
So how does that benefit you as the reseller/referrer? Firstly, subscription models mean that you only need to sell once, which will then (in most cases) guarantee you annually or monthly recurring revenue over the life of the client (who are usually signing up to a minimum-length contract). Compared to traditional financial models which are built around one-time transactions or upfront fees, subscription services (which guarantee recurring revenue) allows you to forecast what you will be earning ahead of time.
Selling or even simply referring IT subscription services can earn you tidy commissions. If you would like to know more about how MailGuard can assist you in making a profit from our subscription services and business model, please contact info@mailguard.com.au.
Inform your customers on just how easy it is to make the switch from one cloud service provider to another. Take a look at Breaking Up With Your Cloud Provider - What To Do When The Honeymoon Is Over.
