As an educational consultant, you’re constantly juggling multiple tasks: student application handling, dealing with universities and colleges, following leads, and many others. If you have heard of terms such as ‘SaaS’ and ‘CRM’ you must be familiar with having to stay as organized as possible.

Even though both words are used synonymously, they are two distinct terms. It is very important to understand what is in-house when selecting the proper tools for the operation of your business. So, let’s delve deep into the blog.

Saas Vs Crm –

SaaS (Software as a Service)

SaaS or Software as a Service, think of it simply as a way of making software available. It is a form of computer software where instead of purchasing and downloading it on your computer, you use it from the internet through a browser. It is as simple as leasing a house as opposed to buying a home. You make a monthly, yearly or one-time fee for using it, whereas software provider resolves all the related issues.

Characteristics of Saas –

• Cloud-Based:

SaaS solutions are hosted centrally on a supplier’s servers and users access these solutions through the web.

• Subscription Model:

In most cases you subscribe to it and for this you are required to make regular payments of either an amount per month or per year.

• No Installation Required:

You don’t install anything on your computer, you simply log in through your web browser.

• Automatic Updates:

Some of the benefits include: the provider managing all the software updates and there is always the latest version of the software.

• Accessibility:

One of the main advantages of such software is that you can get at it from any place with an internet connection.

Examples of SaaS applications include:

Email marketing platforms: Mailchimp, Constant Contact

Project management tools: Asana, Trello

File storage and sharing: Google Drive, Dropbox

CRM (Customer Relationship Management)

CRM vs CDP vs DMP  is an application software specifically designed to capture and manage all kinds of business interactions with their customers and potential customers. It is all about creating and sustaining positive relationships between the consultants, parents and the students. It helps moderate interaction with students, parents, and institutions which they collaborate with.

CRM System Helps You:

• Organize Contact Information:

All your contacts should ideally be saved in a single database.

• Track Interactions:

Document interactions with each contact source; it may include e-mail, phone and even meetings.

• Manage Leads:

Identify students throughout their coursework decision-making process from the time they start to make inquiries right through to enrollment.

• Automate Tasks:

Schedule follow-up emails or other meetings that take a long time to coordinate, so they don’t become a tedious burden.

• Generate Reports:

Ease your analytical process for the detection of patterns for better business strategies.

Relationship between SaaS and CRM –

CRM is sometimes used as the term where the software is provided more often as SaaS. This means you get to your CRM system via the WEB and you pay for the USAGE fee to the owners of the software. This has become the most popular model that most CRMs are being deployed in today’s market.

Difference between Saas and CRM –

Why CRM as a Saas helpful for overseas education consultants?

However by comparing CRM Vs PIM with SaaS one gets a clearer picture when it comes to deciding on which software to use for their consulting firm.

CRM as a Saas

Most CRM applications are SaaS, which helps you understand that no additional complicated installations and costly equipment are required. It also can be as simple as selecting a CRM solution that can solve your specific problem and has a reasonable price and get started.

• Cost-Effectiveness:

This model of SaaS makes CRM affordable for both small and big businesses since it is categorized by subscription. They do not require a massive capitalist investment before one is established.

• Flexibility and Scalability:

Open source, Cloud based SaaS CRMs are especially very flexible and highly scalable in their capability. You have the freedom to add or remove one or several users as your business expands.

• Accessibility and Collaboration:

Since SaaS applications are hosted on the web, both you and your team can get to your CRM from any part of the world, which enhances collaboration.

In this way, you can select the correct tools for the SaaS and CRM and optimize your work, enhance the clients relationships, and, in the end, support more students on their path toward education.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while SaaS (Software as a Service) represents a broad delivery model for software accessed via the internet, CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is a specific type of software often delivered as SaaS. Not all SaaS is CRM, but many CRM solutions are SaaS.

For overseas education consultants, selecting the Best CRM for Overseas Education Consultants within the SaaS landscape is crucial. This means choosing a platform that not only offers standard CRM functionalities like contact management and sales tracking but also addresses the unique needs of the industry.

These needs include managing student applications, tracking visa processes, handling international communications, and integrating with relevant educational institutions. Therefore, consultants should prioritize SaaS-based CRMs specifically designed or highly customizable for their niche to maximize efficiency and success.