As small and mid-market companies continue to re-evaluate the ERP landscape, the trend toward more SaaS (software as a service) implementations continues. And companies that choose Microsoft Dynamics ERP are also giving SaaS a serious look.

In a recent study of ERP implementations across the globe, Panorama Consulting found that the percentage of organizations deploying SaaS (software as a service) solutions increased from 6% in 2009 to 17% in 2010.

Companies finding their way to Microsoft Dynamics-based SaaS ERP solutions seem to share many of the common needs that the SaaS ERP market aims to provide like lower upfront cost, lower in-house IT demands, and lower complexity. 

Most of the companies that decide on a SaaS model don't have an ERP system in place, according to Eric Kimberling, president of Panorama Consulting Group. "Maybe they have QuickBooks or a CRM system but not a full-blown ERP system," Kimberling said.

That was exactly the case for Syndiant, a manufacturer of small and high-resolution light modulating chips used in ultra-portable projectors.

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