The Benefits of Cloud-Based Solutions for Government Organizations

As more agencies embrace digital transformation, cloud-based platforms, or SaaS solutions for electronic plan review are emerging as a critical point of success. 

The benefits of a SaaS-based solution versus on-premise extend far beyond simple storage capabilities. SaaS solutions offer unprecedented flexibility, efficiency, and enhanced security. Below we examine the top benefits of cloud-based software solutions.  

4 Benefits of SaaS-Based Solutions  

1. Cost, Efficiency, and Sustainability

Traditional on-premise systems are costly, requiring not only significant upfront investment in hardware and software licenses, but ongoing maintenance that further strains staff resources. Organizations are on the hook to maintain dedicated servers, perform system updates, and manage complex IT infrastructure.  

Conversely, SaaS-based solutions—which are inherently designed for the cloud—offer more dynamic, flexible, and resource-effective options. In place of hardware and dedicated services, cloud-based software solutions liberate the organizations’ technical resources so they can better focus on optimizing end-user workflows, among other high-value initiatives. SaaS solutions push automatic updates as new features are developed and regulatory requirements change, without requiring on-site IT support. This ensures that local governments always have access to the latest tools, most up-to-date capabilities, and strongest security measures for their plan review process. 

2. Collaborative and Accessible  

Remote access to the tools and technology needed to complete daily tasks from afar is essential today. As local governments continue to increase their SLAs, improving the applicant’s experience for plan submission and review is central to the building process. Meeting the accelerated timelines of construction projects requires that these critical workflows remain seamlessly connected to notifying stakeholders in real-time. Users must have access to software tools that are always on and operate well, and SaaS solutions provide the collaboration platform that delivers on these expectations.   

3. Enhanced Security  

Storing vast amounts of sensitive data and often contending with limited resources, local governments consistently rank security as a top concern — and rightfully so. In 2025, local governments continue to face an onslaught of cybersecurity challenges. Data breaches can make citizens and the community vulnerable, and also result in enormous costs for the government organization. One source estimates the cost of a breach for local municipalities in the U.S. to be between $665,000 to $40.5 million.  

While some local governments cite security as the reason for remaining on-premise versus transitioning to the cloud, failure to migrate to the cloud can cause its own security risks. Cloud providers invest heavily in security measures that often exceed what individual organizations could implement on their own. Regular security updates, encrypted data transmission, and robust backup systems ensure that sensitive plan review data is protected while remaining accessible to authorized users. SaaS solutions from Avolve are continually monitored, SOC Type 2 compliant, and have received ISO 27001 certification. 

4. Better integration capabilities 

Siloed tech solutions often create more headaches than help. Integrations for on-premise solutions are custom projects which must be tailored to unique network configurations, software versions, and local government’s IT infrastructure. Conversely, SaaS solutions simplify the process of building out integrations as they most commonly follow a standardized way for software applications to communicate, known as REST APIs. Avolve, for example, has many integrations into leading permitting partners or other technologies, like GIS, that it actively manages and maintains.  

Cloud-based ePlan review systems are no longer just the future but the present. Migrating to the cloud is an essential step for any local government that wishes to ensure efficient, open, and citizen-friendly plan review processes while maintaining the security and reliability their communities expect.