Global supply chain managers report strong interest in SaaS solutions, notes Navis

Pace of adoption may rapidly accelerate as supply chain managers focus on key benefits, including reduced total cost of ownership, simplifying complexities and minimizing downtimes

Oakland, California-based Navis recently unveiled new survey findings that explore the strong, growing interest among customers in moving IT operations to the cloud.

According to spokesmen, leveraging a SaaS delivery model allows ports to eliminate hidden costs and unscheduled downtime at the terminal and grants terminal managers the freedom to do what they do best — focus on running operations.

Recent reports note that industry adoption of SaaS is expected to increase to 67% within the next five years and these findings are echoed by Navis’ survey, which found that market interest in cloud solutions has raised nearly 40% compared to last year (54% in 2019 vs. 93% in 2020), with 79% of respondents having an existing timeline to move or considering moving to the cloud.

The results from the survey, titled “Understanding Your Terminal Strategy with Cloud-based Technologies” gathered from 79 Navis customers, provide insight on the current level of interest and projected timelines for moving their TOS and other terminal applications to the cloud, the key benefits customers anticipate as well as the myths and concerns associated with the move.

Naviscustomers are among those actively exploring their options and mapping future strategies that include the cloud:

• 60% of those with a timeline would consider moving their TOS to the cloud within four years – 23% are looking at a shorter window of 1-2 years
• 93% are interested in exploring more about Navis’ N4 SaaS solution and 62% have already taken active steps, reporting at least some familiarity with the offering

“Cloud-based solutions and SaaS offerings are gaining momentum in the shipping industry,” says Andy Barrons, Chief Strategy Officer at Navis. “Traditionally looked at as costly and timely undertakings, terminals are opening their eyes to the possibilities these solutions can optimize their operations and save them time and money.”

Barrons said in an interview that COVID-19 has accelerated adoption of SaaS, as the trend for remote workstations has been a given.

“Solutions like Navis N4 SaaS provide our customers with the complete package to not only streamline day-to-day operations utilizing the cloud, but lay the groundwork for continuous terminal innovation moving forward,” he adds. “As we saw in our survey, terminals are beginning to explore the many benefits that a SaaS solution provides, and we’re excited to partner with our customers as they make this important transition.”

Barrons admits that while a majority of the industry still operates on-premise software solutions, Navis customers realize the tangible benefits to be achieved by putting the TOS in the cloud.

Among the survey responses, the top benefit expected when moving to the cloud include increased cost savings, greater stability and reliability, ease of upgrades, as well as transitioning TOS monitoring and management to a managed service provider.