Why You Should Look for a Vertically Integrated Software Solution

Understanding Vertical and Horizontal Integration

There are many different models for business success, but most businesses today rely on technology to reach peak efficiency. Software as a Service (SaaS) has quickly expanded to become a thriving and diverse industry. Companies use technology to improve operations, enhance customer service, and expand their market share. With so many options, choosing the right SaaS platform for your business is more important than ever.

Software development experts build each SaaS or OM software solution to address the needs of many kinds of businesses. As businesses expand or improve, they benefit from two main types of SaaS or OM software: horizontally integrated and vertically integrated software solutions. But what do these terms mean? Read on to find out. 

Horizontally Integrated Software Solutions

The concepts of horizontal integration and vertical integration strategy originate in business. To fully understand horizontal integration, it’s helpful to be familiar with another business term: supply chain.

“Supply chain” refers to the full range of activities needed to create a product or service. For example, Facebook is a service with a supply chain that includes software developers, programmers, customer service representatives, and more. For goods like milk, the supply chain consists of farmers, packaging producers, and others. 

In business practices, horizontal integration occurs when one company acquires another business on the same level in the supply chain. Following the above examples, horizontal integration for Facebook includes buying or merging with another social media provider, such as Twitter. For dairy farmers, horizontal integration means purchasing other dairy farms. 

When applied to business software solutions, horizontal integration creates software that provides at the same supply chain level across many industries. Programs like Slack, for example, are helpful for many kinds of businesses because they provide a uniform, generic service that can be used by many. 

Vertically Integrated Software Solutions

In business, vertical integration happens when a company opts to control one or more stages in the production process. For dairy producers, vertical integration includes owning dairy farms, packaging manufacturers, grocery stores, and more. For services like Facebook, vertical integration keeps software designers, tech help, customer service, and more under the same roof. 

Vertical integration in software works in much the same way. Vertical SaaS solutions are customizable and can handle many business needs in one concise package. This type of software targets operations within a specific business or industry, which limits cross-industry compatibility. Vertically integrated software takes care of CRM, billing, task management, rounds, and more without the added costs of using multiple software providers. 

Spot the Difference: Horizontal vs. Vertical Integrated Software

The main difference between horizontally integrated and vertically integrated software is in the details. Horizontal integration in software targets many different audiences. To achieve success, horizontally integrated software must have generic yet flexible features without overwhelming the user base. In general, horizontally integrated software is limited in complex functions and adaptability. 

Vertical SaaS, in contrast, meets the unique needs of a business or industry type. Typical applications for vertically integrated software solutions include, but are not limited to: 

• Restaurant order management systems
• Inventory control systems
• Data collection and analysis systems
• Hospital intake control
• Banking systems
• And more

These systems do not translate easily across industries. Banking software has little to no place in a restaurant, for example. Conversely, digital food ordering systems do not work well for banking services. This tailored design is a hallmark of most vertical SaaS or OM systems. It ensures that the software meets each business’ needs more efficiently and quickly.  

Vertically integrated software solutions offer some advantages compared to their horizontal counterparts. To learn more about what vertically integrated OM software can do for you, keep reading or reach out to Chekhub today.

Benefits of Choosing a Vertically Integrated Software Solution

While many businesses use horizontally integrated software, that software fails to provide support for managing unique business assets. Slack, for example, is used by countless companies to hold meetings. However, Slack does not offer inventory control, point of sale, or many other features that most businesses need. 

Software developers design vertically integrated software to solve problems within different industries. Far from being restrictive, this design approach produces software that is customizable, efficient, and cost-effective. The benefits of choosing vertically integrated software for your business include: 

• Faster software implementation time
• A strengthened supply chain for your business
• Reduced production costs
• Improved efficiency
• Reduced overall software costs
• Streamlined task management and communication
• And more

Vertical SaaS is highly customizable. Though this type of software targets narrow markets, its versatility makes it valuable. Companies design vertical SaaS systems to target both single problems and groups of business issues. Whether you’re looking for a specific solution to one business need or an all-in-one software suite, Vertical SaaS is a great choice. 

Choosing the right vertical SaaS or OM system may take a little research but doesn’t have to be complicated. Streamline your business’ productivity. Keep reading to learn more about choosing the right provider for your business’s vertically integrated software needs.

Choose a Trusted Provider of Vertically Integrated Software Solutions

As today’s industries become increasingly high-tech, there are more software solutions for businesses than ever before. There are OM systems designed to meet the needs of nearly every kind of business or industry, often with multiple options. 

Whether you’re just getting started as a new business owner or are upgrading your current OM software, choose a software provider that is right for your business. Qualities to look for in a software provider include: 

• Experience designing software for multiple industries
• Extensive software product line
• Flexible subscription or license options
• Quality customer service
• Focus on customer relations
• And more

Finding a reliable provider of industry-leading vertically integrated software solutions is straightforward. The right software provider keeps you informed and works with you to meet your business’s needs and budget. At Chekhub we strive to design our software solution to solve real issues and streamline your business operations unique needs. We have custom software subscriptions to fit your business needs. Features of our solutions:

• Task management
• Time logs
• Rounds and readings
• Digital checklist 
• Team collaboration
• Asset documentation
• Feedback 
• Billing
• Analysis
• And more

Don’t let generic or underdeveloped software solutions stunt your business’ growth. At Chekhub, we’re proud to offer a range of vertically integrated software solutions that give you the control you need for the success your business deserves. 

To learn more about our services, check out our blogs, explore our website, or reach out to us today using our online form or by booking a demo.