Why SaaS firms need Maesn’s Raw Data Option for unmatched flexibility

As more companies adopt SaaS solutions, the demand for flexible and adaptable APIs has surged. For many SaaS providers, delivering a unified response—a standardized format that consolidates data from multiple systems—has been a key approach. While this approach offers a streamlined experience, some customers need more granular control over the data they receive. This is where our "Raw Data Option"?comes in. In this article we will explain the details and show you the benefits.

What is a rawData query?

In today’s API-driven world, providing flexibility in data retrieval is essential for meeting diverse customer needs. The introduction of a rawData?query parameter in your API is a powerful enhancement for this purpose.

rawData query = Maesn's Raw Data Option

By enabling this parameter, users can choose to receive not only a standardized or "unified" response but also the original, untouched data from the source system. This option is invaluable for customers who rely on certain system-specific details that may not be fully captured or relevant in a standardized API response.

When rawData=true?is set, the API returns both the unified and raw data, giving users access to the full breadth of information without needing to make separate API calls or use complex workarounds.

This dual-response approach can significantly improve the API’s adaptability and ease of use. Customers often work with complex systems where specific attributes or nuances of the original data are critical for their applications.

By offering both formats in one response, the API becomes a more comprehensive tool, supporting a broader range of data use cases. This flexibility benefits users by reducing friction and allowing them to work more effectively with data that is as detailed and specific as they need. Overall, this approach emphasizes a customer-friendly design, prioritizing access to information that is as tailored and versatile as their unique needs demand.

What are the benefits for your SaaS?

1. Enhanced Flexibility for Customers

One of the biggest advantages of offering a raw data option is the flexibility it provides for diverse customer needs. Here’s how it works:

• Access to System-Specific Data: Unified responses are great for standardization, but they often can’t capture every unique attribute from each integrated system. Some customers rely on system-specific details that don't fit neatly into a unified schema. By allowing access to raw data, SaaS providers enable these customers to get the exact information they need without building custom integrations or requesting additional fields.
• Reduced Friction for Edge Cases: Specialized use cases often require raw data that might otherwise be transformed or discarded by the unified API. With the raw data option, these unique requirements are met without forcing customers to jump through hoops. This added flexibility opens up a wider range of use cases, making the API more versatile and customer-friendly.

2. Streamlined Development & Maintenance

The raw data option also benefits SaaS providers by simplifying API development and reducing the need for constant updates.

• Reduced Need for Custom API Requests: Without access to raw data, customers frequently request custom modifications or additions to the unified API. These requests can pile up, putting pressure on the development team. By allowing customers to access raw data on demand, SaaS providers reduce the volume of custom requests, freeing up resources for core improvements.
• Simpler Troubleshooting: When customers experience issues, it can be challenging to pinpoint the source of the problem—whether it’s with the source data or the API’s transformation process. With raw data available, customers can troubleshoot by comparing the original and unified responses, making it easier to identify the root cause of any discrepancies. This leads to faster issue resolution and improved customer experience.

3. Improved Customer Satisfaction & Retention

Happy customers are loyal customers, and a raw data option can play a big role in boosting customer satisfaction.

• Self-Serve Capabilities: Customers love autonomy, especially when it reduces dependency on support teams. The raw data option empowers them to retrieve the data they need without waiting for custom solutions, leading to a smoother and more satisfying experience.
• Differentiation in the Market: In a competitive market, offering both standardized and raw data can set your API apart from competitors. Many API solutions provide only unified data, potentially overlooking certain details that specific clients require. By providing a comprehensive data option, SaaS providers can attract customers with diverse data needs.

In today’s competitive market, offering a unified response alongside raw data isn’t just a technical enhancement; it’s a differentiator that meets the diverse needs of customers and paves the way for future growth. For any SaaS provider looking to enhance their API offerings, the raw data option is a powerful tool to consider.

4. Enables Incremental Schema Updates

Keeping an API’s schema up-to-date without disrupting existing customers can be challenging. The raw data option helps address this issue.

• Reduced Risk of Breaking Changes: As SaaS providers update their unified schema to accommodate new features or use cases, there’s always a risk that changes could impact customers relying on specific fields. With raw data available, customers can continue accessing original source data even as the unified schema evolves, allowing for backward compatibility and smoother transitions.
• Gradual Schema Expansion: Instead of trying to include every possible field in the initial schema, SaaS providers can use raw data to see which fields customers access frequently. Over time, they can refine the schema to include popular fields, evolving the API based on real-world demand rather than guesswork.

5. Data Completeness for Analytics and Audits

For many businesses, data completeness is crucial for analytics, compliance, and auditing purposes. The raw data option meets this need by providing access to unaltered data straight from the source.

• Comprehensive Auditing: Customers with strict compliance or audit requirements often need to verify that the data they receive matches the data provided by the original source system. The raw data option allows for a transparent, unaltered view, meeting audit requirements without requiring extra API calls.
• Enhanced Data Analytics: When conducting detailed data analysis, having access to the original data fields can unlock deeper insights. For example, certain fields that may be omitted in a unified response could prove essential for trend analysis, customer segmentation, or predictive modeling. Access to raw data enables these advanced analytics.

6. Supports Advanced Use Cases

Access to raw data empowers customers to tackle complex use cases that go beyond standard API functionality.

• Custom Applications and Automations: Some customers build specialized applications or automations that rely on specific data fields unique to certain end systems. Access to raw data allows them to create these solutions without needing additional APIs or custom data sources, saving time and reducing complexity.
• Easier Data Mapping: For companies using multiple APIs and integrating data into a centralized database, mapping fields across different systems can be challenging. Raw data provides a bridge for these integrations, making it easier to align disparate fields from various sources.

7. Reduced Onboarding and Implementation Time

Getting new customers onboarded quickly can be crucial for SaaS growth. The raw data option helps streamline this process.

• Faster Customer Onboarding: If a customer requires data fields not yet covered in the unified schema, they can still get started with the API using raw data. This flexibility speeds up initial implementation and adoption, allowing customers to start using the API without waiting for schema updates or custom fields.

8. Facilitates API Versioning

APIs evolve, and versioning is a necessary part of managing those changes. The raw data option helps make versioning smoother and more manageable.

Backward Compatibility: As the unified schema updates, customers relying on original data fields may struggle with version compatibility. With raw data available, they can continue accessing those fields regardless of schema changes, allowing them to adapt gradually to new API versions.

9. Scalability for SaaS Product Growth

The raw data option provides valuable insights that can guide the future direction of a SaaS product, supporting scalable growth.

Data-Driven Product Evolution: By tracking which raw fields customers frequently access, SaaS providers can make informed decisions about which fields to include in future schema updates. This data-driven approach to product development helps the API evolve in line with actual customer usage patterns, ensuring the product meets real needs as it grows.

Final Thoughts: Why Raw Data is a Smart Investment for SaaS APIs

Adding a raw data option to a SaaS API isn’t just a nice-to-have feature; it’s a strategic investment in flexibility, customer satisfaction, and scalability. By allowing customers to access both the unified and original data, SaaS providers make their APIs more versatile, adaptable, and resilient to future changes.

This feature caters to a broader range of use cases, from complex integrations to advanced analytics, and helps retain customers by offering self-serve capabilities and reduced support dependency.

Marius Pohle is Co-Founder Maesn