Optimizely SaaS

Optimizely, the leaders in digital experience platforms (DXP) held their annual conference Opticon 2023 in San Diego where they announced an exciting new product Optimizely One. An innovation which is going to revolutionise the world of content management systems (CMS). This new marketing operating system is fully SaaS and decoupled. In the past, marketing teams have had to choose between being customisable but complex or marketer friendly. Now organisations can have the best of both worlds.

What Is Optimizely SaaS?

In the dynamic world of digital marketing, efficiency, flexibility, and accessibility are key. In the past, Optimizely CMS solely operated on a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) model. Now, customers can also access their CMS with a SaaS (Software as a Service) core. This has a headless design, it stores content as raw data without formatting which allows for versatile use and reusability across various channels.

One of the distinct advantages of Optimizely offering a SaaS CMS is the fact it is versionless because it has automatic upgrades. Unlike traditional software models that require manual updates, SaaS platforms seamlessly update themselves, ensuring users always have access to the latest features and improvements. This ensures a hassle-free experience, allowing businesses to focus on their marketing strategies without worrying about maintenance.

It is built on a subscription-based model, delivering software applications over the internet. The deployment of a SaaS application is usually rapid and cost-effective, with minimal capital expenses. Optimizely One customers can access the platform through a web-based browser without the need for software downloads or installations. The subscription-based payment model provides a predictable cost structure, enabling businesses to budget effectively.

Optimizely SaaS also provides users with an out-of-the-box system that is incredibly easy to set up. This is crucial for marketing teams seeking a seamless and swift onboarding process. This platform is ideal for those looking for a ready-made application that fulfils their requirements efficiently. 

Additionally, this  platform creates unparalleled levels of adaptability, ease of use, and authority through a unified AI-driven process. This advanced system empowers every aspect of the marketing journey, striking a balance between flexibility and simplicity. In the fast-paced landscape of modern marketing, compromises are not an option, making Optimizely’s SaaS based CMS a valuable tool for marketing.

SaaS vs PaaS

If you are a Optimizely CMS customer, you can now choose either a SaaS Core or PaaS Core to suit your organisation’s needs. And here is everything you need to know about the two software types:

Similarities:

• Hosted on a remote cloud server by a third party provider 
• Both scalable

Differences:

• PaaS is not online software but an online platform to customise and develop.
• PaaS allows for customisability.
• PaaS provides a platform for software creation. 
• SaaS provides a platform with inbuilt software.
• PaaS is not available on a subscription basis, SaaS is.
• A PaaS platform has to be downloaded and the software developed. 
• A SaaS platform is used in the web browsers to run applications and the software. doesn’t always need to be downloaded.
• PaaS makes integrations endless and easy but with SaaS this can be limited.
• PaaS software is time consuming to implement, SaaS is ready to use.
• PaaS is hosted in the developer’s system, whereas SAAS is hosted in a remote server by the third-party provider.

In summary, SaaS is ideal for organisations seeking straightforward, ready-to-use solutions, while PaaS is ideal for those aiming to construct a solution utilising an established network.

Benefits of SaaS

With both SaaS and PaaS being quite similar, you might be wondering why Optimizely have decided to develop this new structure. The benefits of working with Optimizely’s SaaS platform include:

• Less development is required. 
• It is all inclusive, the development, installation, maintenance, security, and compliance are taken care of for you.
• It’s cost effective, with a clear subscription based pricing model and it is easy to scale based on your organisational needs.
• It is accessible and can be accessed anywhere with internet access which creates efficient working.
• Automatic upgrades mean your platform is always up to date and reduces.
• Automation of back end processes such as billing to streamline operations.

One of the key benefits that sets apart Optimizely One from any other SaaS based CMS platform is its ability to integrate. Normally the drawback of using SaaS would be that it limits your options for integrating third party platforms, however, Optimizely products are all designed with API’s in mind. Therefore, using Optimizely SaaS companies won’t have to forgo any vital business operations.

Improved Security:

While no software is entirely immune to cyberattacks, adopting a SaaS-based digital experience platform (DXP) can significantly improve your organisation’s protection from them. SaaS DXPs offer several advantages that contribute to enhanced protection against evolving cyber threats.

Automated Updates: SaaS DXPs receive regular automatic updates, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities due to delayed or overlooked manual updates.

Managed Security systems: SaaS platforms specialise in secure cloud environments, offering dedicated security teams and advanced technologies. This expertise allows your internal IT team to focus on other security priorities.

Reduced Attack Surface: SaaS platforms typically have a smaller attack surface compared to on-premises solutions. With organisations managing the infrastructure, fewer components are exposed to the internet, minimising potential entry points for attackers.

Scalable Security Infrastructure: Cloud-based SaaS platforms can efficiently handle traffic spikes and malicious attacks, ensuring protection against downtime and data breaches through the scalability of cloud resources.

Compliance Support: SaaS companies such as Optimizely take on the responsibility of ensuring DXPs comply with data privacy regulations and industry standards, relieving organisations of the complex and time-consuming task of managing compliance internally.

Continuous Monitoring: When using a SaaS platform an organisation will benefit from continuous monitoring and threat detection capabilities provided by the platform, allowing organisations to identify and address potential security incidents before they escalate.

Smooth Integrations: A SaaS platform comes with added security when connecting with other platforms. Safely connect and collaborate with other platforms. This means your digital systems can work together seamlessly, making things easy for you, all while ensuring strong security measures to safeguard your valuable information.

Embracing an Optimizely SaaS platform empowers organisations to enhance their security by leveraging specialised expertise, ensuring timely updates, reducing attack surfaces, and addressing compliance challenges efficiently.

Examples of SaaS

Here are 5 hugely successful SaaS companies:

• Zoom
• Google Workspace
• Mailchimp
• HubSpot
• Adobe Creative Cloud

Ready To Upgrade Your Organisation’s Platform?

When deciding which solution is right for your organisation, there are a number of factors to consider such as the amount of developer access you have available, the size of your organisation as well as looking at your unique business needs. To help you choose the ideal option for your company, contact us. We are the number 1 Optimizely partner in the UK and Middle East. At Ultimedia we have a vast range of extensive expertise spanning more than 25 years, we empower brands to maximise their digital capabilities. Book your Optimizely SaaS demo today and start your Optimizely journey to digital excellence.