Should You Pay for Yard Management Software by Transaction or User Seat?

Written by: 
YardView
Posted on: 
January 4, 2023

User or subscriber of a yard management system

In a world where SaaS is continuously growing, pricing has always been a widely discussed topic. Based on experience, some believe paying per transaction is more cost-effective than paying per user. Which is the better choice? We’ve done the research to define what each payment method is and feedback from those with industry experience.

What’s the Difference Between Paying for YMS by Transaction vs. UserSeat?  

Paying by Transaction means paying for every commodity that enters through the yard gate. Paying by User means paying for each “user-seat”, which is the number of individual logins who have access to a digital service/product. For paying by user, it doesn’t matter on the number of shipments or transports a user may need a month.

The Drawbacks of Both Payment Methods

With every advantage comes a disadvantage. Keep an eye on each payment method and why they wouldn’t be ideal with a yard management system. The problem that comes with per user pricing is that it’s not entirely clear. Once you begin, you’re then constrained to the original version of the system and must find a way to navigate through high turnover positions and system access. Now, there is an option to select to pay for unlimited users since it comes with easy flexibility and licensing. And if that’s the case, always think of the potential drawbacks, including getting in the way of further expansion and innovation.

For paying by transaction, monthly billing will often change, which poses challenges for long-term budgeting. As a result, you could end up paying more than you should because you pay for every asset recorded and entered into the gate—a transaction. On the other hand, empties, owned equipment, and personal vehicles may be lumped into the total cost.


Other Things to Consider When Paying for YMS by User-Seat

When looking into paying by user, there are a few things to consider.

First, when you’re invoiced on a per user-seat basis, IT managers and team members will invest a great deal of time figuring out how to pay the least for the system. This will result in them placing limitations on users and placing permissions who may otherwise benefit from the system’s data features, and overall functionality.

Second, it can impact a user’s privacy. We’ve all been there when a login is shared by multiple gate personnel, and it’s nearly impossible to track down the original source who performed a transaction in the system.When you have unlimited users, you enable an easy-to-use system that provides every department with the tools to help the operation run at optimal efficiency. Rather than limiting your team, empower them to thrive with detailed insight, enhanced visibility, streamlined communication, and data-driven information.

How You Should Pay for Yard Management Software Instead

A user of YardView Yard Management System

With more than 20 years of industry experience under our belt, it’s recommended to pursue a fixed rate for unlimited user seats and transactions. Wondering why? Here are some of the benefits:

  • Having a fixed-rate means you won’t have to worry about experiencing a sea-saucer of prices every month. It also means offering transparency for its users and allowing for easy recordkeeping.
  • You won’t have to allocate more to the budget if there’s a sudden influx of commodities or users during busy seasons.
  • Since the service is consistent, there’s no risk of interruptions.
  • Unlimited means no limitations. It’s that simple.

YardView Offers Low, Fixed-Rate Monthly Costs for Our Clients

Our dedicated and experienced team has more than 20 years in the industry. By offering low monthly payments and fixed rates, we tailor our pricing to our clients’ yard operation needs. We prioritize the customer by providing the absolute highest level of service, extraordinary 24/7 support, implementing continuous improvements to the software, and our long-standing history of customer success. Don’t spend more than you need to. Book a free demonstration of YardView’s yard management system today to get started.