Uber pushes its SaaS model for partnerships to provide on-demand public transit: How to develop a SaaS app like Uber?

It is highly impossible to pinpoint an industry as the worst-hit due to the COVID-19 situation. Almost every sector has shared the ruins of the pandemic of such high magnitude. But technically speaking, people aren’t moving out due to the lockdown norms. So, the most popular transportation industry has come to a screeching halt. Even giants like Uber are facing losses in this segment, owing to the fact that there are no signs of public or private transport. 

With governments relaxing lockdown norms, people who inevitably step out need a safe commute to their destinations. For an entrepreneur, this is a time to capitalize on. So, what is the way out? How about renting the taxi-booking software for public transportation agencies? Sounds interesting, isn’t it? All you have to do is develop a taxi booking algorithm that works the best and rent it to multiple public utilities. 

Guess what, the pioneer in the aggregation model, Uber, has already begun to experiment with this Software as a Service (SaaS) model and has gained a massive reception among the audience. Are you eager to develop a SaaS app like Uber? Are you eyeing to establish the next big thing in the modern era? This blog is your one-stop destination to know more about the business model, how to develop SaaS app like Uber, and how to enhance your business in the market. Let’s dive straight in. 

What’s the buzz around the SaaS business model? 

Generally, an on-demand taxi app works on a rigid business model. The virtual platform connects cab drivers with people in need. The supply enhances (number of taxi drivers) as the demand (people in need) escalates. Due to the pandemic, the demand has dried up. While cab drivers are hesitant to offer services fearing virus contractions, what about the entrepreneur who relies on the platform for his/her economy? 

This has led to flexibility in the business model. With Uber rolling out its SaaS model, it is clear that the most flexible model will survive the outbreak situation. With the market for this model afresh, budding entrepreneurs can harness this potential investment field to its fullest. 

Why can SaaS partnerships come in handy? 

Initially, let’s elaborate on what SaaS means. Commonly known as the Subscribeware or the Rentware, the Software as a Service model involves renting out the software to a particular business entity on a subscription basis. To be more descriptive, let’s assume two entrepreneurs X and Y. 

• X has a robust software for an on-demand taxi app like Uber. 
• Y is a public transit agency that needs reliable software to get the business up and running. 
• Now, X can rent out the software to Y on a subscription or rental basis. 
• Y then establishes the software to the public who can book rides through the software without any hassles. 

Both X and Y enjoy lucrative benefits and sustain in the market for an increased timeframe. 

How do SaaS partnerships work? 

Are you wondering how these partnerships with public transport agencies will turn out? Let’s take a look at the working, 

• Initially, you develop the taxi booking app according to the latest market trends. 
• You then join hands with public transit agencies and rent them your software on a subscription or rental basis. 
• The public transit agencies then list the cabs and vans under their belt in the app along with their fare per kilometer, availability, etc. 
• The general public can book their desired cabs through the app. 
• Besides, they can track the vehicles using your software’s real-time tracking feature. 
• People can pay for their services through the online platform, making the transport facility automated without human interference. 

The strategy behind these partnerships is quite simple. You have the software. They have vehicles. Merging these two can prove to be significantly beneficial and profitable for both entrepreneurs and public transit agencies. 

How to develop a SaaS app like Uber? 

After knowing the potential of such partnerships, are you ready to initiate your app development? App development usually involves certain crucial steps. They include, 

• Analyzing business needs. 
• Designing the UI/UX or the framework of the app. 
• Integrating features and functionalities into the platform. 
• Developing robust back-end, i.e., servers and databases. 
• Testing the app for defects and bugs. 
• Launching the app. 

Let’s venture into the details here, 

Know the needs 

It is pointless to set foot into app development without understanding the business needs. These include identifying the technical, economic, and market requirements. On simpler terms, 

• You need to know the tech-stack necessary to develop an app like Uber. 
• You predetermine and analyze the budget required to develop a taxi app. 
• You identify customer expectations by conducting extensive market research. 

After equipping yourselves with these specifications, you design the framework of the app. 

UI/UX can have a significant impact 

The design of the app attracts users towards the platform and offers them an enriched experience. Hence, it is ideal to design a framework that is user-friendly yet attractive. A well-equipped team of designers can provide you a highly reliable app design capable of luring the audience. 

Features are inevitably your selling points 

If there is one factor that can pull the audience and make them install your app, it is the app’s features. Being a taxi app, you need to integrate unique features into your user and driver app. Besides, it is advisable to incorporate key features into the admin panel, as well. Let’s discuss some of the essential and unique features of these apps here, 

Features of User app:

• User registration
• Real-time tracking
• Schedule for later use
• Multiple payment options 
• Push notifications
• In-app chat/call facilities 
• Ratings and reviews 
• In-app wallet
• Multi-lingual support system

Features of Driver app: 

• Availability toggle 
• In-app navigation 
• Accept/reject user requests 
• Earnings dashboard 
• Ride history 
• Ratings and reviews 

The back-end can make all the difference

While it is necessary to integrate stand apart features, you must develop a robust back-end to sustain app traffic. Besides, servers and databases play a critical role in storing user details. As a result, encrypting them becomes a necessity. Your app should be able to sustain traffic from multiple users. Moreover, many app developers consider developing an admin panel during back-end development. 

Rigorous testing can pave the way for a bug-free app

Testing is a vital app development stage as glitches and bugs annoy users to a considerable extent. It is crucial to test the platform rigorously as it helps you reduce defects. Nowadays, app testing is synonymous with the development, as it helps in conserving time and energy. 

After all these stages, you launch the app across multiple platforms like Android,  iOS, etc. 

How about an Uber clone app? 

Wait, what if you can skip all these steps and launch your app instantly? With the advancements in technology, this is very much possible. What if the app comes with enticing benefits? Some of the perks include, 

• 100% customizable. 
• Pocket-friendly. 
• Highly scalable. 
• Time-conserving. 
• Lifetime updates and many more. 

Are you wondering where you can get such an app? At Appdupe, we deploy a seasoned team of experts to develop the taxi app according to the latest market trends. This team develops a highly reliable white-label Uber clone, entirely customizable according to your needs. Guess what, you can initiate your SaaS partnerships instantly with our top-notch taxi booking software. 

Summing up, 

The future for the transportation industry lies in the hands of technology and smartphones. With public transit agencies opting for a software model, the future is bright for on-demand taxi booking software and apps. You can leverage your software to earn a steady revenue in the ride-hailing segment. 

Appdupe’s Uber clone app comes as the icing in the cake for entrepreneurs who wish to launch their SaaS model in the vastly emerging segment. Reach out to us, develop your SaaS app like Uber, and gain instant thrust with your business! 

Author

Marketing is my soul mate and writing is my side kick. Using my writing skills to share the knowledge of app development and upcoming technologies.