Comments on: Software as a Service: Expect to See More of It http://smallbiztrends.com/2007/12/software-as-a-service-expect-to-see-more-of-it.html Exploring the trends driving small business Fri, 25 May 2012 17:23:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Tom Termini http://smallbiztrends.com/2007/12/software-as-a-service-expect-to-see-more-of-it.html#comment-453780 Tom Termini Sun, 20 Jan 2008 01:16:05 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2007/12/software-as-a-service-expect-to-see-more-of-it.html#comment-453780 As a solution provider (who survived the dot-com halcyon days as an application service provider for SAP, now a software-as-a-service provider of our own product), we are committed to the tools and techniques. The obstacles I've seen in the Small- to Medium-size enterprise space revolve around some standard questions: - Do I own my data? (yes, backup/export whenever you want) - Will you be around in 5 years? (yes, we are profitable and growing. Ten years in the biz proves we know what we're doing) - Is my data secure? (yes, in most cases more than you could do for yourself. Our government clients have high demands that benefit our commercial clients) So SAAS is here to stay. The issue of what apps will move from desktop to web-based is an interesting one. Think about running Photoshop as a web app -- seems highly unlikely right now, but renting HD movies over the internet did too only a few short years ago. As a solution provider (who survived the dot-com halcyon days as an application service provider for SAP, now a software-as-a-service provider of our own product), we are committed to the tools and techniques. The obstacles I’ve seen in the Small- to Medium-size enterprise space revolve around some standard questions:

- Do I own my data? (yes, backup/export whenever you want)
- Will you be around in 5 years? (yes, we are profitable and growing. Ten years in the biz proves we know what we’re doing)
- Is my data secure? (yes, in most cases more than you could do for yourself. Our government clients have high demands that benefit our commercial clients)

So SAAS is here to stay. The issue of what apps will move from desktop to web-based is an interesting one. Think about running Photoshop as a web app — seems highly unlikely right now, but renting HD movies over the internet did too only a few short years ago.

]]> By: Computer Consultants Secrets Blog http://smallbiztrends.com/2007/12/software-as-a-service-expect-to-see-more-of-it.html#comment-444698 Computer Consultants Secrets Blog Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:31:07 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2007/12/software-as-a-service-expect-to-see-more-of-it.html#comment-444698 When advising small business computer consultants on which services to offer as part of their solutions, I typically tell them to steer clear of promoting any "products" they sell above the solutions they offer. Consultants should definitely be stressing the benefits of their services over products to prevent themselves from being seen as a "commodity" or attracting those choosing computer services providers based on price. However, offering software services can become an important part of a strong business because, as mentioned, it can definitely help with piracy issues with your clients (which you should make clear are unacceptable from the beginning) and help you become a one-stop shop for technology solutions. When advising small business computer consultants on which services to offer as part of their solutions, I typically tell them to steer clear of promoting any “products” they sell above the solutions they offer. Consultants should definitely be stressing the benefits of their services over products to prevent themselves from being seen as a “commodity” or attracting those choosing computer services providers based on price. However, offering software services can become an important part of a strong business because, as mentioned, it can definitely help with piracy issues with your clients (which you should make clear are unacceptable from the beginning) and help you become a one-stop shop for technology solutions.

]]> By: Larry B http://smallbiztrends.com/2007/12/software-as-a-service-expect-to-see-more-of-it.html#comment-429909 Larry B Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:17:38 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2007/12/software-as-a-service-expect-to-see-more-of-it.html#comment-429909 This is the way I have been constructing my web sites for 3-4 years. The real issue with tis model, and new software in general, is getting the word out - marketing. You can have the best software on the best servers and most bandwidth but all will be for naught if no one knows about it. This is the way I have been constructing my web sites for 3-4 years. The real issue with tis model, and new software in general, is getting the word out – marketing. You can have the best software on the best servers and most bandwidth but all will be for naught if no one knows about it.

]]> By: Jan Lukacs http://smallbiztrends.com/2007/12/software-as-a-service-expect-to-see-more-of-it.html#comment-428752 Jan Lukacs Mon, 17 Dec 2007 15:40:01 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2007/12/software-as-a-service-expect-to-see-more-of-it.html#comment-428752 I do have to agree, that some applications run the best on the desktop. Microsoft creates some great software, office beeing one of them (although i hate the latest version, one of the reasons that i'm using Open Office now). Many people thing that google is working on an OS that will change the game. I guess we'll just have to wait and sze what happens. I do have to agree, that some applications run the best on the desktop. Microsoft creates some great software, office beeing one of them (although i hate the latest version, one of the reasons that i’m using Open Office now).
Many people thing that google is working on an OS that will change the game. I guess we’ll just have to wait and sze what happens.

]]> By: Sohail http://smallbiztrends.com/2007/12/software-as-a-service-expect-to-see-more-of-it.html#comment-427935 Sohail Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:28:09 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2007/12/software-as-a-service-expect-to-see-more-of-it.html#comment-427935 Jan, if you ask Sun, that happened 10 years ago! But I admit, the timing of the technology is right this time around. Jan, if you ask Sun, that happened 10 years ago! But I admit, the timing of the technology is right this time around.

]]> By: Jan Lukacs http://smallbiztrends.com/2007/12/software-as-a-service-expect-to-see-more-of-it.html#comment-427732 Jan Lukacs Sun, 16 Dec 2007 20:44:38 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2007/12/software-as-a-service-expect-to-see-more-of-it.html#comment-427732 Sohail, you are right about some apps, where there's need for high performance for now it's best to use a desktop app. However, in the future new tech will make web apps much faster. I have no doubt that in the next 10years a lot of the desktop computers will be dumb terminals that connect to the internet for everything. Sohail, you are right about some apps, where there’s need for high performance for now it’s best to use a desktop app. However, in the future new tech will make web apps much faster. I have no doubt that in the next 10years a lot of the desktop computers will be dumb terminals that connect to the internet for everything.

]]> By: Sohail http://smallbiztrends.com/2007/12/software-as-a-service-expect-to-see-more-of-it.html#comment-427597 Sohail Sun, 16 Dec 2007 17:54:15 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2007/12/software-as-a-service-expect-to-see-more-of-it.html#comment-427597 ** I do wish **, not "I do with" :D ** I do wish **, not “I do with” :D

]]> By: Sohail http://smallbiztrends.com/2007/12/software-as-a-service-expect-to-see-more-of-it.html#comment-427596 Sohail Sun, 16 Dec 2007 17:53:46 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2007/12/software-as-a-service-expect-to-see-more-of-it.html#comment-427596 I blogged about the same thing here: http://uint32t.blogspot.com/2007/12/to-host-or-not-to-host.html http://uint32t.blogspot.com/2007/12/update-to-host-or-not-to-host.html But from the point of an ISV. I am of the opinion that high-performance applications do need to have the installable option. I do with I was cool enough to come up with an idea for a service that could make me some $$$ online though! I blogged about the same thing here:

http://uint32t.blogspot.com/2007/12/to-host-or-not-to-host.html
http://uint32t.blogspot.com/2007/12/update-to-host-or-not-to-host.html

But from the point of an ISV.

I am of the opinion that high-performance applications do need to have the installable option. I do with I was cool enough to come up with an idea for a service that could make me some $$$ online though!

]]> By: Anita Campbell http://smallbiztrends.com/2007/12/software-as-a-service-expect-to-see-more-of-it.html#comment-427582 Anita Campbell Sun, 16 Dec 2007 17:35:16 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2007/12/software-as-a-service-expect-to-see-more-of-it.html#comment-427582 Thanks, Nicholas, for pointing out the piracy issue. Businesses can get into trouble if they use pirated software. The anti-piracy folks have been targeting smaller businesses recently. Management sometimes is aware of piracy. But sometimes they don't even know it. Rogue employees could be misusing software. Or the company simply could have poor controls in place and not keep good records. If you're caught, piracy could be very expensive, not to mention damaging your business reputation. And don't even think you won't get caught -- all it takes is a disgruntled former employee to report your company, and voila you're in big trouble. Anita Thanks, Nicholas, for pointing out the piracy issue. Businesses can get into trouble if they use pirated software. The anti-piracy folks have been targeting smaller businesses recently.

Management sometimes is aware of piracy. But sometimes they don’t even know it. Rogue employees could be misusing software. Or the company simply could have poor controls in place and not keep good records.

If you’re caught, piracy could be very expensive, not to mention damaging your business reputation. And don’t even think you won’t get caught — all it takes is a disgruntled former employee to report your company, and voila you’re in big trouble.

Anita

]]> By: Jan Lukacs http://smallbiztrends.com/2007/12/software-as-a-service-expect-to-see-more-of-it.html#comment-427313 Jan Lukacs Sun, 16 Dec 2007 12:26:19 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2007/12/software-as-a-service-expect-to-see-more-of-it.html#comment-427313 This is clearly the future in software development and it has numerous advantages. I'd like to use this chance, and let you all know we've launched a free web based service for small businesses called Paymo. It's a web based time tracking tool that offers powerfull features. give it a try. This is clearly the future in software development and it has numerous advantages. I’d like to use this chance, and let you all know we’ve launched a free web based service for small businesses called Paymo. It’s a web based time tracking tool that offers powerfull features. give it a try.

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