What Is B2B SaaS?

If you've been researching business software lately, you've probably seen "B2B SaaS" thrown around constantly. Maybe you're wondering if it's just marketing jargon or if there's something actually different about how these tools work.

The short answer: B2B SaaS is fundamentally different from the software most businesses used for decades, and understanding why matters when you're making purchasing decisions.

B2B SaaS Definition: The Basics

B2B SaaS stands for Business-to-Business Software as a Service. Instead of buying software outright and installing it on your company's servers, you access it through a web browser and pay a monthly or annual subscription.

Think of it like the difference between buying a DVD and subscribing to Netflix. With traditional software, you bought the DVD (software license), needed a DVD player (your servers), and were stuck with that version until you bought another DVD. With B2B SaaS, you stream the software, it's always up-to-date, and you can access it from anywhere.

Common examples you probably already use: Gmail for business, Salesforce, Slack, Shopify, QuickBooks Online, or Orderful for EDI.

About Orderful

Orderful is a cloud-based EDI platform that helps growing businesses connect with retailers, distributors, and suppliers through modern B2B SaaS technology. Unlike legacy EDI providers with unpredictable costs and 3-6 month implementations, Orderful delivers transparent pricing, fast onboarding, and included expert support. Whether you need Web EDI or full API integration, Orderful makes enterprise-grade EDI accessible to businesses of all sizes. Learn how Orderful works or talk to our team about your specific EDI needs.

Why "B2B" Matters: Business Software vs. Consumer Software

SaaS isn't just for businesses. You probably use consumer SaaS products like Netflix, Spotify, or Dropbox. So what makes B2B SaaS different?

B2B SaaS is designed for how businesses actually operate:

• Multiple users with different permission levels (not everyone should see payroll data)
• Integration with other business systems (your EDI platform needs to talk to your ERP)
• Compliance requirements (HIPAA for healthcare, SOC 2 for handling sensitive data)
• Complex workflows (purchase order approval chains, not just "click to buy")
• Team collaboration features (comments, approvals, audit trails)
• Support for business relationships (connecting with suppliers, customers, partners)

Consumer SaaS is optimized for individuals. Business SaaS is optimized for organizations with processes, policies, and multiple stakeholders.

Traditional Software vs. B2B SaaS: What Actually Changes

Here's what changed when business software moved to the cloud, and why it matters for your decision:

You Don't Buy Servers Anymore

Traditional approach: Your IT team quotes $50,000 for servers, backup systems, and network equipment before you can even install the software. Then you need someone to maintain it all.

B2B SaaS approach: You create an account and start using the software. The vendor handles servers, backups, and infrastructure. Your IT team focuses on your actual business instead of server maintenance.

Updates Happen Automatically

Traditional approach: Every software update means scheduling downtime, testing compatibility with your other systems, and hoping nothing breaks. Many companies skip updates because it's such a hassle, running outdated software for years.

B2B SaaS approach: The vendor pushes updates automatically with no downtime. You always have the latest features and security patches without lifting a finger.

You Pay Predictably Every Month

Traditional approach: $100,000 upfront for licenses, $20,000 annually for maintenance, plus consultant fees every time you need changes. Budgeting is difficult because costs spike unpredictably.

B2B SaaS approach: $500/month or $5,000/month depending on what you need. You know exactly what you'll pay, and you can adjust as you grow.

Your Team Can Work From Anywhere

Traditional approach: Software only works on company computers connected to the office network. Remote work requires clunky VPN setups that slow everything down.

B2B SaaS approach: Anyone with internet access and proper credentials can log in. Remote work, hybrid offices, and traveling employees all work seamlessly.

Real Benefits That Matter to Your Business

Let's skip the marketing language and talk about what actually improves when you switch to B2B SaaS:

You Start Faster

Traditional EDI implementation takes 3-6 months on average. Orderful customers start exchanging EDI documents in days, not months. That speed difference matters when you're trying to onboard a new retail partner or respond to a business opportunity.

Your Costs Become Predictable

When a retailer like Walmart requires you to implement EDI, traditional solutions hit you with setup fees, per-transaction charges, VAN fees, and consultant costs that vary wildly month-to-month. Orderful's flat-rate pricing at $189/month per trading partner means you know exactly what you'll spend before you commit.

You Don't Need Specialized IT Staff

Traditional EDI requires someone who understands X12 mapping, AS2 protocols, and VAN connections. Most small and mid-sized businesses don't have those people on staff, so they hire expensive consultants. B2B SaaS platforms like Orderful include expert support in the subscription, eliminating the need for specialized in-house expertise.

You Can Actually Scale Your Business

Adding a new trading partner with traditional EDI means weeks of mapping work and custom integration. With Orderful's B2B SaaS platform, you add partners in 24 hours through our Certified Network Buildout. That difference determines whether you can say "yes" to

When B2B SaaS Makes Sense (And When It Doesn't)

B2B SaaS isn't always the right answer. Here's when it works well and when you might need something else:

B2B SaaS Works Great When:

• You need to start quickly without months of implementation
• You want predictable monthly costs instead of large capital expenses
• You don't have (or want to hire) specialized IT staff to maintain systems
• Your team works remotely or across multiple locations
• You need to scale up or down based on business changes
• You're integrating with other modern cloud-based tools

Consider Alternatives When:

• You have highly specialized requirements that no SaaS provider handles
• Regulatory requirements absolutely prohibit cloud-based data storage
• You have massive transaction volumes where per-user pricing becomes prohibitively expensive
• You need 100% customization and have developers to maintain it

For most growing businesses, especially those implementing EDI for retail partnerships, B2B SaaS delivers better results at lower cost with less hassle.

How Orderful Applies B2B SaaS to EDI

EDI has traditionally been one of the most painful areas of business technology. Legacy providers charge unpredictable per-transaction fees, require 3-6 month implementations, and lock you into expensive VAN contracts.

Orderful rebuilt EDI as a modern B2B SaaS platform:

Transparent pricing: $189/month per trading partner for Web EDI, $1,999/month for API integration. No transaction fees, no VAN charges, no surprises.

Fast implementation: Start exchanging documents in days. Our pre-built connections and automated validation eliminate months of mapping work.

Included expertise: 24/7 support from EDI specialists included in every plan. No need to hire consultants or become an X12 expert yourself.

Real-time validation: Catch errors before sending documents to partners, preventing the chargebacks that cost retailers thousands of dollars monthly.

One API for everyone: Build your integration once. Orderful handles all the partner-specific formatting, protocols, and requirements automatically.

Companies switching from traditional EDI to Orderful typically see 50% faster partner onboarding and 70% reduction in management time. That's what modern B2B SaaS enables.

Making the Switch: What to Actually Evaluate

When you're comparing B2B SaaS options, here's what matters:

Real total cost: Monthly subscription is just the starting point. Factor in implementation time, required integrations, training, and ongoing support. Orderful's pricing includes implementation assistance, training, and 24/7 support with no hidden fees.

How quickly you'll see results: Some platforms take months to implement despite being "cloud-based." Ask vendors for typical time-to-value, not just what's theoretically possible.

Integration reality: Every vendor claims "easy integration." Ask specific questions about your ERP, e-commerce platform, or warehouse management system. Do they have pre-built connectors or will you need custom development?

Support quality: When something breaks at 2am before a big shipment, can you get help? Orderful includes 24/7 support with EDI experts who understand X12 specifications and retail compliance requirements.

Vendor stability: You're trusting this company with critical business operations. Research their track record, customer retention, and financial stability.

Get Started with Modern B2B SaaS for EDI

If you're evaluating EDI solutions, comparing traditional providers to B2B SaaS platforms like Orderful reveals stark differences in cost, speed, and usability.

Orderful gives you cloud-based EDI that works the way modern business software should: fast implementation, predictable costs, anywhere access, and included expertise. Explore the full platform to see how it compares to what you're using now, or check out our pricing to understand the actual costs.

Ready to talk specifics about your EDI needs? Schedule time with our team to discuss your trading partners, transaction volumes, and timeline.

Common Questions About B2B SaaS

What does B2B SaaS actually mean?

B2B SaaS means cloud-based software designed for businesses rather than individual consumers. Instead of buying software licenses and installing on your servers, you access business applications through a web browser and pay monthly or annual subscriptions. The vendor handles servers, maintenance, updates, and security.

How is B2B SaaS different from regular software?

B2B SaaS is cloud-hosted and subscription-based. Traditional business software requires purchasing licenses upfront, installing on company servers, and maintaining the infrastructure yourself. B2B SaaS eliminates hardware costs, provides automatic updates, and enables access from anywhere with internet.

What are real examples of B2B SaaS?

Common B2B SaaS tools include Salesforce (CRM), Slack (team communication), QuickBooks Online (accounting), Shopify (e-commerce), and Orderful (EDI integration). These platforms help businesses manage operations, collaborate with teams, and connect with partners through cloud-based applications.

Is B2B SaaS more expensive than traditional software?

B2B SaaS typically costs less overall despite ongoing subscription fees. Traditional software requires large upfront license purchases ($50,000-$200,000+), server hardware, IT staff for maintenance, and consultant fees for updates. B2B SaaS spreads costs into affordable monthly payments ($100-$5,000+ depending on scale) with no infrastructure investment required.

Can I integrate B2B SaaS with my existing systems?

Most modern B2B SaaS platforms offer APIs and pre-built integrations with common business systems. Orderful, for example, integrates with ERPs like NetSuite and Infor M3, e-commerce platforms like Shopify, and warehouse management systems through standard APIs. Integration quality varies by vendor, so ask specific questions about your tech stack.

What happens to my data if I stop using a B2B SaaS platform?

Reputable B2B SaaS providers offer data export options when you cancel. Before committing, verify the vendor's data portability policies and export formats. Orderful provides complete transaction history exports and helps customers transition if needed, ensuring you never lose critical business data.