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SaaS Can Help Prevent Cyberattacks   electrical contractors should invest in SaaS   serve a wide range of businesses. Because
                                                                                 of this, SaaS models can be offered with
                                               versions of software. Due to its adaptable
            Against Construction Companies     nature, SaaS provides electrical contractors   a lower startup cost than traditional
                                               with an abundance of other benefits:   software. It’s common for SaaS models to
            Cyberattacks may not seem like a   remote accessibility, saving time and   provide companies different tiered options,
            major concern for smaller to mid-sized   helping create a more efficient workplace.    where they can select what works best for
            contractors, but the most recent IBM Cost                            them based on their unique needs. This
            of a Data Breach Report 2021 suggests   Remote Accessibility         provides flexibility in selecting the right
            that it should be of concern to all business                         software option and eliminates the fear of
            owners. According to the report, the   One convenient feature of a SaaS model   over-paying for unneeded features.
            average data breach cost across all   is it provides users the ability to work
            industries rose from $3.86 million to $4.24   from relatively any location. This aspect is   With a software vendor hosting a
            million in 2021, the highest average total   especially crucial to a company’s success   company’s SaaS application, the need
            cost in the 17-year history of the report.  1  when unexpected changes occur, like the   to invest in expensive equipment or hire
                                               lockdowns that resulted because of the   a dedicated IT staff are both eliminated.
            One crucial step construction companies   pandemic in 2020. Even when employees   Contractors also will not need to purchase
            can take to arm themselves in the fight   are working remotely from their homes,   or maintain on-site servers. This means
            against cyberattacks is boosting their   they benefit from having secure access to   companies can save money by avoiding
            security through SaaS. With vendors   the data they need.            the cost of employing and training IT
            making sure servers and software are kept                            experts, and not having to purchase their
            up to date and any potential vulnerabilities   Being able to access software remotely   own on-site equipment.
            patched, preventing cyberattacks   also makes it easier to share data with
            becomes easier, especially for contractors   fellow colleagues. For electrical contractors,   SaaS is Becoming the New Standard
            without a strict cybersecurity policy. SaaS   the remote access offered by SaaS models
            models are effective enough to contain   allow employees to easily share items such   for Construction Companies
            cyberattacks that, according to the IBM   as estimates and designs digitally with   SaaS models of software offer many
            report, organizations with SaaS or cloud-  one another, significantly speeding up the
            modernization in place contained data   process. Gone are the days of having to   advantages, especially to electrical
                                                                                 contractors looking to operate through
            breaches on average 77 days faster than   travel to the office to hand over physical
            those without.                     print outs and paper sheets.      an adaptable, secure software. Switching
                      2
                                                                                 to SaaS can help ease the flow of day-
            If a construction company experiences   SaaS Saves Contractors       to-day operations, improve the way
            restricted access to its pertinent data,                             data is processed and make working
            this could result in missed deadlines,   Time and Money              possible from relatively any location.
            lost profits and unexpected expenses.   Unlike traditional software, SaaS is based   When a company adopts a SaaS model of
            Implementing a SaaS model of software   on subscriptions and allows contractors   software, they are allowing themselves to
            can help a company take preventative   the option to pay a monthly fee instead   focus on what really matters — the growth
            measures against cyberattacks and help   of a hefty amount up front. This feature   and expansion of the business.
            ensure secure access to confidential   provides contractors the flexibility to
            company data.  Much like electrical   get the latest software applications   Paul Wheaton is the Vice President of Sales
            contractors are experts in the construction   without having to invest a large sum   for McCormick Systems, A Foundation
            field, SaaS vendors are trusted    of money. Typically, SaaS models   Software Company. He’s worked closely
            professionals with expertise on keeping   also don’t have a set end-of-life like   with new product development and is on
            data secure.                                                         the front line of computerized estimating,
                                               traditional software models — potentially
                                               leading to further savings down the   digital takeoff and project management.
            Additional Benefits of SaaS        road. For contractors, this means SaaS   He brings over 17 years of industry
            for Electrical Contractors         models are always kept current and   experience and expertise. Paul holds a
                                               generally won’t need to be repurchased   B.S. in Business Management and is PM
            While keeping company data secure is   when a new version is released.   certified. He’s also been a guest speaker at
            one of the most prominent benefits of                                numerous conferences, trade association
            SaaS, there are a myriad of other reasons   Due to their adaptability, SaaS models can   meetings and led numerous webinars
                                                                                 on estimating and PM technology.


            1, 2    IBM. “Cost of a Data Breach Report 2021.” Accessed August 12, 2021. https://www.ibm.com/security/data-breach



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