What is SaaS and what is its relevance to bone density reporting?
SaaS stands for Software As A Service. The financial model and logistics behind SaaS may be compelling for bone densitometry given low reimbursement rates.
A key characteristic of SaaS is that users pay for only what they use. Also startup costs are typically minimal.
With SaaS software the same fully featured software is available regardless of the size of the company using the software. BoneStation, for example, is a SaaS software package for reading bone density scans. The set of features is the same for all customers regardless of size of the practice. Practices performing 200 scans a month are using the same software as those performing 1000 scans a month.
There are other cost savings to SaaS. For example, SaaS software packages usually include support and upgrades. With the traditional model, software packages frequently have costly annual maintenance fees (typically priced at 10% to 20% of the original software). And upgrades are an extra cost too.
There are other benefits to SaaS.
Software based on the SaaS model is often times “cloud based”, meaning it runs in a web browser. There is no special client software to install on each user’s computer. This implies convenience, in that the software can be used on any computer with a browser. Installation and support are easier and less costly also.
Software As A Service is a newer model for offering technology and software. It provides many advantages, in terms of price and convenience – appealing characteristics for bone density practices running on tights budgets.
Cardea Technology’s Bone Densitometry Blog 