OUR LATEST INSIGHTS

Up to date, high-level business information that is relevant to our clients and contacts, helping keep up to date on the ver-changing business world of today.

Cal Wilson / May 20, 2025

AI is changing the SaaS landscape

Whether or not you’re a fan of AI, the undeniable truth is that it’s making waves in a lot of different areas that may impact your business or organization. If you use any Software as a Solution (SaaS) services, and rely on them for operations, you may find AI making an impact on your future.

In this article, we take a look at AI and the future of SaaS.

Many SaaS providers are adding AI functions to their suite of products.

Many SaaS providers have already begun adding AI-powered tools to their services. Microsoft Copilot, for example, might come to mind. But it’s not just search AI assistants. CRM providers have started adding tools like AI-generated sales emails, chatbots, and predictive analytics. There are many possibilities for the ways in which SaaS companies can expand their offerings with AI.

As the Software Equity Group says, “AI’s ability to process and learn from vast data enhances SaaS applications, making them smarter and more adaptable. This integration means SaaS products can offer personalized experiences, automate mundane tasks, and unearth insights that were previously out of reach.”

Is AI as a Service replacing SaaS?

Artificial Intelligence as a Service – or AIaaS – is a new trend making waves in the SaaS landscape.

As best put by Forbes, “AIaaS does more than just store data or perform tasks—it actually thinks, learns, and improves over time. It is designed to make decisions, automate work, and adapt based on user behavior.”

Meaning, instead of just providing the user with the tools to complete a task – whether that be storage, word processing, etc. – AIaaS products can analyze data, generate insights, and automate some of said tasks.

With companies like Microsoft, Zoom, Salesforce, Google, and others holding such a big space in the SaaS market, it seems unlikely that SaaS is going anywhere soon. However, AIaaS offers a new and exciting opportunity for developers to make a footprint in an emerging market, and for companies to hop on a trend that will keep them current and competitive. Likewise, as expectations for AI integrations increase, SaaS platforms that can best utilize these tools will find themselves at a distinct advantage.

In conclusion…

Regardless of how you feel about the technology, it’s impossible to separate AI from the future of the software your organization relies on. In the coming years, you can expect to see it change the way these programs operate, making them smarter and more automated.

Cal Wilson / May 20, 2025

AI is changing the SaaS landscape

Whether or not you’re a fan of AI, the undeniable truth is that it’s making waves in a lot of different areas that may impact your business or organization. If you use any Software as a Solution (SaaS) services, and rely on them for operations, you may find AI making an impact on your future.

In this article, we take a look at AI and the future of SaaS.

Many SaaS providers are adding AI functions to their suite of products.

Many SaaS providers have already begun adding AI-powered tools to their services. Microsoft Copilot, for example, might come to mind. But it’s not just search AI assistants. CRM providers have started adding tools like AI-generated sales emails, chatbots, and predictive analytics. There are many possibilities for the ways in which SaaS companies can expand their offerings with AI.

As the Software Equity Group says, “AI’s ability to process and learn from vast data enhances SaaS applications, making them smarter and more adaptable. This integration means SaaS products can offer personalized experiences, automate mundane tasks, and unearth insights that were previously out of reach.”

Is AI as a Service replacing SaaS?

Artificial Intelligence as a Service – or AIaaS – is a new trend making waves in the SaaS landscape.

As best put by Forbes, “AIaaS does more than just store data or perform tasks—it actually thinks, learns, and improves over time. It is designed to make decisions, automate work, and adapt based on user behavior.”

Meaning, instead of just providing the user with the tools to complete a task – whether that be storage, word processing, etc. – AIaaS products can analyze data, generate insights, and automate some of said tasks.

With companies like Microsoft, Zoom, Salesforce, Google, and others holding such a big space in the SaaS market, it seems unlikely that SaaS is going anywhere soon. However, AIaaS offers a new and exciting opportunity for developers to make a footprint in an emerging market, and for companies to hop on a trend that will keep them current and competitive. Likewise, as expectations for AI integrations increase, SaaS platforms that can best utilize these tools will find themselves at a distinct advantage.

In conclusion…

Regardless of how you feel about the technology, it’s impossible to separate AI from the future of the software your organization relies on. In the coming years, you can expect to see it change the way these programs operate, making them smarter and more automated.

Cal Wilson / April 30, 2025

Four Moments. One Common Thread. The Power of Image and Pride

There are moments in life when a simple suit meant more than just clothing. Let me show you four of them:

Three years old. Thrift-store suit. Mom said we still had to look our best for church.

My senior photo. Suit from Goodwill. Tie borrowed from Grandpa. Confidence from Mom.

U.S. Air Force Commissioning day. Top graduate. Also, a second-hand suit.

Rookie of the Year at Schooley Mitchell. This suit wasn’t about appearance—it was about perseverance.

Each of these moments was shaped by more than the suit I was wearing. They were shaped by pride, confidence, and the belief that I was worth something. That’s what image does. It changes the way we see ourselves—and the way the world sees us.

For someone struggling—whether it’s a teenager preparing for their first job interview or a single parent rebuilding after hardship—having access to affordable, professional clothing is about more than appearance. It’s about dignity.

Goodwill stores make that possible. They don’t just generate revenue for job training programs—they provide people with the ability to present themselves with confidence. To feel like they belong. To walk into the world with their head held high. But keeping those stores open is getting harder. Rising costs in waste, telecom, fuel, supplies, and credit card processing are putting pressure on budgets and forcing tough decisions.

That’s where we can help.

At Schooley Mitchell, we support Goodwill organizations across North America by reducing operational costs—without disrupting operations or asking your team to do more with less.

That means:

  • More stores staying open
  • More people stepping into opportunity with confidence
  • More lives changed by the simple power of showing up and being seen

 

Cal Wilson / April 21, 2025

Don’t dismiss the importance of tires in your fleet’s fuel spend

Gas prices can fluctuate and make it hard to budget for your annual fuel expenditure. However, there are other factors that might be impacting your fleet’s fuel expenses. One of them is tires. It may not sound like a crucial part of the fuel mileage equation, but poor tire condition can severely deplete your vehicles’ fuel efficiency.  

In this article we look at the connection between tires and fuel, and how you can ensure you’re not missing an opportunity to become more fuel efficient.  

How do tires impact fuel efficiency? 

Many aspects of your vehicles’ tires impact their fuel efficiency. These include: 

  • Pressure 
  • Quality 
  • Alignment  
  • Rotation frequency  
  • Tire size and weight 
  • Maintenance 

All these elements, if properly kept up with, will save you money on fuel in the long run.  

Tire pressure is crucial, because underinflated tires lead to increased rolling resistance, making your engine work harder to move the vehicle. Keeping your tires properly inflated can save your vehicles approximately $0.02/gallon. That may not seem like too much at a glance, but when you consider every vehicle in your fleet, and every mile driven over the course of a year, that adds up.  

Tire quality can also save you money on your refuelling bills. Some higher-end tires will come labelled as low rolling resistance (LRR) tires and are specifically designed to improve fuel efficiency by an estimated 3-4%. 

Proper tire alignment with your wheel “ensures that your tires meet the road at the correct angle, preventing uneven tire wear and reducing rolling resistance. Misaligned tires can drag slightly, causing your vehicle to use more fuel to maintain speed.” 

Regular tire maintenance makes sure all these elements are being routinely monitored, and catching any issues or damage that might detract from your fleet’s fuel efficiency.   

Best tire practices to keep in mind. 

To make the most of your fuel budget, and not waste any money because of improper tire practices, make sure to keep up these habits: 

  • Conduct monthly tire pressure checks to ensure you aren’t losing fuel efficiency to underinflation.  
  • Invest in LRR tires, when possible, for long-term fuel savings.  
  • Conduct regular checks for wear patterns on the tire that may be indicative of the need for realignment. 
  • If your drivers complain of excessive steering wheel vibration, check to see if the tires need realigning.  
  • Ensure your fleets’ tires are rotated, usually every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, to maintain consistent rolling resistance.  
  • Ensure you’re only using the right tire size recommended by your vehicles’ manufacturer. 

In conclusion… 

Tire maintenance and upkeep goes a long way in protecting your fleet’s fuel budget. If you’re ignoring this aspect of your vehicles’ fuel economy, it could be costly in the long run.  

Cal Wilson / April 21, 2025

Don’t dismiss the importance of tires in your fleet’s fuel spend

Gas prices can fluctuate and make it hard to budget for your annual fuel expenditure. However, there are other factors that might be impacting your fleet’s fuel expenses. One of them is tires. It may not sound like a crucial part of the fuel mileage equation, but poor tire condition can severely deplete your vehicles’ fuel efficiency.  

In this article we look at the connection between tires and fuel, and how you can ensure you’re not missing an opportunity to become more fuel efficient.  

How do tires impact fuel efficiency? 

Many aspects of your vehicles’ tires impact their fuel efficiency. These include: 

  • Pressure 
  • Quality 
  • Alignment  
  • Rotation frequency  
  • Tire size and weight 
  • Maintenance 

All these elements, if properly kept up with, will save you money on fuel in the long run.  

Tire pressure is crucial, because underinflated tires lead to increased rolling resistance, making your engine work harder to move the vehicle. Keeping your tires properly inflated can save your vehicles approximately $0.02/gallon. That may not seem like too much at a glance, but when you consider every vehicle in your fleet, and every mile driven over the course of a year, that adds up.  

Tire quality can also save you money on your refuelling bills. Some higher-end tires will come labelled as low rolling resistance (LRR) tires and are specifically designed to improve fuel efficiency by an estimated 3-4%. 

Proper tire alignment with your wheel “ensures that your tires meet the road at the correct angle, preventing uneven tire wear and reducing rolling resistance. Misaligned tires can drag slightly, causing your vehicle to use more fuel to maintain speed.” 

Regular tire maintenance makes sure all these elements are being routinely monitored, and catching any issues or damage that might detract from your fleet’s fuel efficiency.   

Best tire practices to keep in mind. 

To make the most of your fuel budget, and not waste any money because of improper tire practices, make sure to keep up these habits: 

  • Conduct monthly tire pressure checks to ensure you aren’t losing fuel efficiency to underinflation.  
  • Invest in LRR tires, when possible, for long-term fuel savings.  
  • Conduct regular checks for wear patterns on the tire that may be indicative of the need for realignment. 
  • If your drivers complain of excessive steering wheel vibration, check to see if the tires need realigning.  
  • Ensure your fleets’ tires are rotated, usually every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, to maintain consistent rolling resistance.  
  • Ensure you’re only using the right tire size recommended by your vehicles’ manufacturer. 

In conclusion… 

Tire maintenance and upkeep goes a long way in protecting your fleet’s fuel budget. If you’re ignoring this aspect of your vehicles’ fuel economy, it could be costly in the long run.