Data-as-a-Service Explained: What It Means for Non-Tech Businesses

If you're running a business that doesn't specialise in software or IT, the term Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) might sound like yet another tech buzzword. But it’s not. In fact, it could be one of the most commercially valuable concepts your business is not using yet.

Data-as-a-Service means giving your business access to clean, usable, and well-structured data without needing to build or manage the systems yourself. Think of it like outsourcing your data infrastructure, insights, and reporting, so you can focus on using the data, not managing it.

In this article, we break down exactly what DaaS is, why it matters for non-tech businesses, how it works, and what to look for if you are considering using it.

What is Data-as-a-Service?

At a basic level, Data-as-a-Service is the delivery of data management, storage, analytics, and reporting through a third party. You use the data, the provider handles the infrastructure.

Instead of having to hire engineers, buy servers, set up databases and dashboards, or build data pipelines, you get a ready-to-use service that delivers the data and insights your team needs.

The key idea is: you get answers without needing to manage the backend.

Why non-tech businesses should care

You’re probably already sitting on valuable data from tools like:

• Xero or MYOB (finance)

• HubSpot or Salesforce (CRM)

• Scoro, WorkflowMax, SimPRO (project and time tracking)

• Excel or Google Sheets (manual tracking)

The problem? That data is often messy, inconsistent, duplicated, or spread across different platforms. Even if you have reports, they usually don’t talk to each other.

DaaS solves this by turning that mess into clean, usable information you can actually make decisions with.

Benefits for non-tech businesses:

• No internal data team needed

• Faster access to insights

• Confidence in reporting accuracy

• Less time spent on spreadsheets and manual tasks

• Ability to focus on outcomes instead of systems

What does a Data-as-a-Service model include?

DaaS providers typically offer:

1. Data ingestion and cleaning

   • Pulling data from your existing systems and tidying it up

2. Data transformation and modelling

   • Structuring it for reporting, analysis, or automation

3. Data storage

   • Secure and compliant storage in cloud data warehouses

4. Analytics and dashboards

   • Clear reports and dashboards that your team can actually use

5. Ongoing support and change management

   • Adapting to new needs, training staff, and making updates as your business evolves

Common problems DaaS solves for non-tech businesses

Let’s look at typical pain points and how DaaS addresses them.

1. Reporting is inconsistent or manual

You have multiple versions of the truth. Every department has its own spreadsheet. No one trusts the reports.

With DaaS: All data flows into one consistent structure. Reports are unified and updated automatically.

2. No one owns the data

Everyone relies on the data, but no one owns or manages it properly. When someone leaves, reporting breaks.

With DaaS: Your provider takes accountability for data quality, structure, and delivery.

3. You can’t see trends across systems

Your finance system and your sales system tell different stories. Marketing data is stuck in a platform no one checks.

With DaaS: Data is centralised, allowing cross-system analysis and proper visibility.

4. You want insights, not infrastructure

You’re not in the business of building pipelines or managing dashboards. But you need to know what’s going on.

With DaaS: You get the data in the format you need, when you need it, without technical overhead.

Who is Data-as-a-Service for?

DaaS works well for businesses that:

• Are using multiple software platforms

• Rely on spreadsheets for reporting

• Need help aligning data with strategy

• Don’t want to hire a full-time data team

• Are ready to make decisions based on data, not gut feel

Examples:

• Professional services firms wanting to track utilisation and margin

• Construction or trades businesses needing project-level insights

• eCommerce businesses juggling finance, inventory, and marketing data

• Educational institutions needing real-time performance reporting

What should you look for in a DaaS provider?

Here are the key traits to look for:

1. Business-first mindset

   • They should speak your language, not just technical jargon

2. Experience with your tools

   • Familiarity with platforms like Xero, HubSpot, Shopify, or industry-specific tools

3. Transparency and flexibility

   • You should understand what’s being built and why

4. Clear governance and compliance

   • Especially important for finance, HR, or health data

5. Ability to scale

   • The service should grow with your business

How does pricing work?

DaaS models are usually subscription-based. You might pay monthly or quarterly depending on:

• Number of data sources

• Volume of data processed

• Complexity of reporting or dashboards

• Number of users or departments supported

Compared to hiring full-time analysts or building infrastructure yourself, DaaS is often much more cost-effective.

What outcomes can you expect?

A good DaaS solution delivers:

• Faster, more reliable reporting

• Better decision-making across teams

• Time savings from automation and reduced manual reporting

• Improved data quality and less duplication

• Insights that drive revenue and cost savings

How DaaS supports growth and innovation

Beyond reporting, DaaS can also support:

• AI-readiness by cleaning and structuring data for machine learning use

• Product innovation by identifying usage patterns and customer needs

• Commercialisation opportunities by turning internal data into client-facing value

DaaS doesn’t just clean things up. It makes you ready to compete.

Final thoughts: You don’t need to be a tech company to be data-driven

Being data-driven is no longer a competitive advantage. It’s the minimum requirement to operate effectively.

If you’re stuck in spreadsheets, running disconnected systems, or relying on manual work just to get a weekly report, DaaS is a simple way to get ahead. You don’t need a data warehouse or a BI team. You just need a partner that can help you turn your existing data into something useful.

Data-as-a-Service is the bridge between being data-rich and insight-poor, and actually making your data work for you.