A while ago I wrote, why Terraform tool is not enough for SaaS here. Today, I am extending the same series for Helm -- covering the purpose they serve and why they are NOT enough to build your cloud offering or control plane.

Helm charts are widely used for Kubernetes application deployment, offering a templated approach to package and manage applications. However, when it comes to building a full-fledged SaaS control plane, relying solely on Helm is not enough.

In our previous post on BYOC, we discussed different approaches to SaaS distribution and specifically discussed BYOC model in detail.

However, many of our BYOC customers have the need to distribute their software on-premises, who are looking to retain full control and get assistance on an as-needed basis. Introducing OnPrem CoPilot, a way for your support team to automate their OnPrem operations.

Like BYOC, you deploy your application in the customers' account. Unlike BYOC though, your customers will retain the full control and whenever they need help — whether it’s for initial installation, software upgrades, security patches, infrastructure updates, troubleshooting support, etc.— they can connect securely and get help for specific operation(s). Once done, they can continue to have full control and continue to operate independently.

🚀 Exciting New Features in Omnistrate

"Omnistrate made it easy for us to launch AutoDBA as a SaaS product. Their platform took care of the complexities of scaling and managing different environments, so we could focus on building features our users love. With Omnistrate, we’ve been able to deliver a consistent, high-quality experience across all PostgreSQL setups." — Neil Thombre, VP of Engineering

Applications are only as good as the data that powers them, and companies are putting more and more restrictions on where their proprietary data is accessible from. In 2025 we see these issues accelerating even faster, as companies will find even more reasons to not allow their proprietary data outside of their realm of control.

This means that new applications must be designed with data access in mind, and all new applications must have the ability to be deployed next to their customer’s data, in both physical location (data center) as well as realm of security control (cloud account ownership).

"We chose Omnistrate because it empowered us to deliver on our promise to create a safety-first approach to building & managing AI Applications. The Omnistrate Control Plane as a Service streamlined our deployment process, eliminated infrastructure complexity, and allowed us to focus on innovation and customer experience. With Omnistrate’s robust capabilities, we launched ahead of schedule, under budget and our customers are able to securely deploy our solution anywhere they need it." Haroon Choudery, CEO Autoblocks AI

Building private services on the cloud enables businesses to leverage the benefits of cloud technology, such as flexibility and scalability, while maintaining strict control over their data. This is particularly important for organizations handling sensitive information, as a private cloud environment enhances security and ensures compliance with specific regulatory requirements.

In the world of B2B applications, tenancy is more than just a way to onboard new customers. It’s a critical architectural component that enables efficient resource management, customization, and security, all while scaling effectively. At Omnistrate, we understand that for a B2B AI app to be robust and truly multi-tenant, tenancy must be seamlessly integrated and managed from day one.