SaaS case study: SaaS takes the hazard away from HazChem

Software as a service (SaaS) isn't just about CRM and salesforce automation, those in other fields are also benefiting - as chemical safety body Hazchem testifies.

By Stuart Lauchlan, news and analysis editor

While CRM and salesforce automation (SFA) have dominated discussion of software as a service (SaaS) to date, there are examples of the model being adapted to related areas, such as partner relationship management and supplier relationship management. A good example is HazChem, which uses a SaaS model to control delivery of chemicals to clients.

Established in 2004, HazChem uses a web-based collaborative platform built on Oracle technology to ensure all parties shifting chemicals know everything required to ensure safe passage. The precise composition of each shipment is logged, and the system coordinates the storage and movement of each load to minimise danger.

Simplicity was one of the selling points for using a SaaS platform, says Ali Karim, CEO of The HazChem Network. “We were looking for a platform that we could operate ourselves,” he recalls. “We had to bear in mind that the IT skills and standard of the data inputers who would use the system around the country would vary. Fuel prices were also going up so there was a cost element. We shopped around for a solution and one of the things about SaaS is that it is geared on a pay as you go basis, which helps our cash flow.”

The SaaS platform is driving changes in the way firms do business. “The only way for supply chain survival is through cooperation,” says Karim. “In the early days of transport, hauliers didn't work well together. When we set up, we only had 14 member firms who were involved. There was some nervousness about it. You used to have to be a geek to use this sort of stuff, but there was no fear on this basis.”

HazChem Network’s technology has been created by logistics software specialist Deltion. “The Deltion platform which is designed to integrate with other systems from other parties, whether they are manufacturers, transport firms or end customers,” explains Piyush Shah, CEO at Deltion. “That's the underlying SaaS platform on top of which we've built the transport management application. We can use the platform to manage the process of route planning, scheduling, map views, billing, customer management and so on. There's a whole range of services that can go on top.

“Integration is the most critical element. Every customer has to integrate into an Oracle system or an SAP system or some legacy system. We know that almost every customer is going to have four or five different points of integration. We are building integrators. We started by being very customer specific, but they are not becoming more generic. To be honest one SAP integration is much like another. You need to have some changes made as they have different bits of data of course, but basically they're much the same.”