It can be difficult to obtain approval for EHS software in the best of times let alone the economic uncertainty we face today. Although EHS executives know that process automation can reduce departmental expenses, it often falls low on an organization’s to-do list.
Cloud-based EHS SaaS technology can work around Capex ROI requirements and spending limit restrictions through monthly user fees that easily fit into operating budgets. Furthermore, EHS managers can use an incremental approach and build a full-blown EHS software suite module by module.
Al a carte SaaS modules offer company executives the ability to digitize EHS without the operational disruption and upfront expenses typical of full-scale software suite conversions. Moreover, managers can design a company-centric roll-out based on need. For example, one company may start with a mobile SDS software module while another may prioritize a chemical inventory management solution.
SaaS vs EHS Enterprise Software
EHS executives are coming under greater scrutiny by CEOs, corporate directors, and investors but the lack of process automation funding can prevent them from achieving performance objectives. Although Environment, Health & Safety initiatives are gaining more prominence in the ESG era, software can be difficult to quantify in return-on-investment terms putting EHS managers at a disadvantage.
Enterprise suite integrations are generally the fastest route to process automation, and the least expensive in the mid-term, but it may be difficult to get funding in our current economic environment. It’s much easier to work with a few hundread or so for mobile SDS automation or a few grand for chemical and hazardous waste management into your annual operating budget. By taking a multi-stage approach, managers can more easily document process efficiencies and cost savings to support future budget increases or Capex requests.
One of the biggest benefits of SaaS is that it gives EHS management complete autonomy over the software implementation process. Software is hosted on the vendor’s server and updates are automatic so there’s zero internal IT support required. Furthermore, there are no contracts to be signed or commitments to be made offering managers the flexibility to scale up or down based on operating budget limitations.
By taking a SaaS modular strategy, EHS software technology can be eased into an organization. If asking for a hundred grand for an EHS enterprise solution is an uphill battle in your organization, then taking an incremental approach with SaaS modules may be your solution.
Chemical Safety’s Environmental Management Systems (EMS) has been the industry’s most mature and comprehensive software solution. With more than 30 years of experience, thousands of deployments, and tens of thousands of active users, Chemical Safety has a solid history of successful implementations and satisfied customers with many of the largest corporate and government entities in the US and beyond. If you want to learn more about Chemical Safety’s offerings, contact us at sales@chemicalsafety.com
