Skip to navigation | Skip to content

Share your knowledge. Make a difference.

The Future of Software is Software as a Service (SaaS)

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 0 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ranked #5640 in Tech & Geek, #124564 overall

Donates to Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund

Rated G. (Control what you see)

SaaS is reinventing what software is

 

Software used to be something you installed on your computer or on a server racked in your closet. It used to come with hard-to-read and even harder-to-understand manuals for how to use it. And it used to come with little or no useful support, unless you were willing to pay big bucks for it.

SaaS is changing the rules. And it's not just for CRM. It's for mission-critical applications that are changing the way software is delivered and consumed.

What is the SaaS Business Model? 

here's a quick definition that keeps it simple.

Softare-as-a-Service, or SaaS, is a business model for delivering software applications through the internet and accessible through a web browser. Generally speaking, SaaS-model companies have the following characteristics:
  1. Access to the service is provided through a website. There is no software to install on your computer or local network.
  2. Users generally pay a periodic subscription fee rather than a large up-front license fee. Access to Services is available only while the User maintain the subscription.
  3. Fees increase as you consume more of the Service so most Services are affordable to most organizations.
  4. All Uses interact with the same version of the Service so Users always have access to all new versions and most new features.
  5. All hosting services, including data back-ups, hardware upgrades, and disaster recovery, are managed by the SaaS provider.

Why are Companies Adopting SaaS Solutions? 

here is the most common reasons

The market for SaaS companies is growing three times faster than for on-premise software companies. Here's a list of the most common reasons why:
  • Fast and Easy - Users can start using SaaS solutions much faster and with much less effort than on-premise solutions.
  • No Hardware - Since there is nothing to install, there is no need for new hardware or the other software licenses that are also usually required.
  • Mobility - Everyone is far more mobile than we used to be, so Users can be productive using a web-based application anywhere there is an internet connection.
  • Bypass Internal IT - Since nothing is changing on the local network, it isn't necessary to involve the IT staff, who, regrettably, often slow down most technology-related implementations.
  • Try Before You Buy - Business end-users can make decisions to test-drive new services with lower financial risk

Tell me About Yourself? 

because I want to keep this page relevant for you and other like you


Loading poll. Please Wait...

Cool SaaS Companies 

These companies are doing exciting things in SaaS

There is plenty of innovation in the SaaS world. Check out these companies that are supplying the world with innovative solutions delivered exclusively through the SaaS model.
Salesforce.com
Not just a CRM provider anymore, Salesforce.com is building an entire application development platform that allows developers to create and distribute applications exclusively using server-side code that runs on top of the Salesforce infrastructure.
AvidXchange
Every company receives bills from their vendors. AvidXchange makes it easy to use the internet to route bills through your organization for approval.

I Find These Links on SaaS Helpful 

there is a wealth of information about SaaS on the web

There are plenty of resources on the web that talk about the SaaS delivery model. Whether you're a software company thinking about offering a SaaS solution, or an organization looking to implement a SaaS solution, this list may help you get started.
THINKstrategies
This site is loaded with content to learn what's new in the SaaS delivery model.
SaaS Showplace
Here's an online directory of hundreds of companies offering SaaS solutions in 80 different categories.
SaaS as listed on Wikipedia
here's what Wikipedia has to say about SaaS

These books may help you form your SaaS Strategy 

these classic technology strategy books will help provide you context for the journey ahead

Growing a business is hard. Growing a software business is even harder. I come back to these books regularly to help me frame a decision or put one in the right context.

The Four Steps to the Epiphany

Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 10/13/2008)

Founders at Work: Stories of Startups' Early Days

Amazon Price: $17.15 (as of 10/13/2008)

Crossing the Chasm

Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 10/13/2008)

Software as Services blog 

by Phil Wainewright

This is a cool blog from a well-known expert.

Loading Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

THINKit Services Blod 

by Jeff Kaplan

This blog examines the business implications of IT service trends ranging from software-as-a-service (SaaS) and managed services to utility computing, IT/business process outsourcing & other on-demand services.

Loading Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

Have somthing to say? 

Please speak up by logging a comment

Whether you like or dislike, agree or disagree, or just have nothing better to do than make yourself heard - make yourself heard. Enter a comment to make this a better place for all readers.

New Poll Module 

Loading poll. Please Wait...
X
CDavidMiller

About CDavidMiller

David Miller is President and co-founder of AvidXchange, a SaaS company that's changing the way companies manage their bills. David is a frequent speaker on SaaS and entrepreneurism. Sometimes, when he's not working, David plays golf. One day, maybe he'll have enough time to get good at it.

CDavidMiller's Pages

See all of CDavidMiller's pages