Although Summer isn't officially over, there is no question that we have already entered the busy Fall event season.
Over the next two days, I'll be in New York City moderating two sessions in the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) track at Interop. Next week, I'll be in Dallas chairing the SaaS/Cloud Computing track of NetworkWorld's IT Roadmap conference. And, I'll be in the San Francisco Bay Area four times in October-November for the upcoming SaaS events listed below.
This newsletter will explore the new opportunities and challenges being created by the SaaS and cloud computing 'gold rush'. We will also introduce you to our latest Showplace sponsor, Akamai Technologies.
THINKstrategies'SaaS Showplace directory is attracting a rising number of visitors seeking to take advantage of the growing number of whitepapers, webinars and special offers available in the Best Practices Portal, powered by iCentera, and in the other areas of the Showplace resource center.
Over 800 companies are now listed on THINKstrategies'SaaS Showplace, offering over 3500 on-demand business solutions in 80 different application, industry and enabling technology areas!
We've also added over 200 new subscribers to our newletter in the past month, bringing the total over 9600 IT/business decision-makers, IT solution providers, press and investors!
Because of our hard work educating customers, vendors and investors about the business benefits of SaaS and cloud computing solutions, THINKstrategies is now the leading 'trusted advisor' to,
IT/business decision-makers who want to leverage the right SaaS and cloud computing solutions to satisfy their needs;
IT solution providers who are trying to gain a competitive advantage in the market; and
Investors looking for the best on-demand service providers to support.
This Update includes the latest news and views on the market from our consulting engagements, research, sponsors and partners. You can find more in the Showplace Best Practices Portal, on the SaaS Insights page of the Showplace and on our blog, THINK IT Services.
Contact me if you'd like to learn how you can leverage THINKstrategies' consulting services to achieve your business objectives.
Customer Support in the SaaS and Cloud Computing Market
The success of SaaS has fueled the growth of a broader array of web-based 'cloud computing' solutions.
THINKstrategies recently published SaaS Primer to help IT/business decision-makers better understand the business benefits and operational nuances of this new software delivery model.
While we are pleased to see publications, like BusinessWeek, promoting the virtues of web-based solutions in articles such as "How Cloud Computing Will Change the World.", we are also concerned a growing number of service outages will result in a backlash against the SaaS movement.
THINKstrategies believes these service disruptions are putting a greater premium on the quality of support offered by SaaS and cloud computing providers. Click here to read more...
Do you have or know of a cloud computing solution that deserves attention? Add it to the SaaS Showplace by registering it as a SaaS application or enabling technology. THINKstrategies also publishes Strategic Thinking profiles of companies offering unique solutions and strategies.
QuickArrow, a leading provider of professional services automation solutions (PSA), is also generously offering free copies of the book entitled, "Tips From the Trenches: The Collective Wisdom of Over 100 Professional Services Leaders."Click here to obtain a copy of this book.
Despite growing customer demand for SaaS, THINKstrategies has found many aspiring SaaS vendors are still struggling to win a share of the market because of a variety of operational challenges.
In response, THINKstrategies offers a set of Readiness Assessment Services aimed at helping aspiring SaaS vendors fine-tune their go-to-strategies, service delivery capabilities, and sales processes. We also work with IT/business decision-makers who need help evaluating their SaaS needs and selecting the SaaS suppliers to satisfy their requirements.
Click here to learn more about our Readiness Assessment Services, or contact us to explore how THINKstrategies' services can help you achieve your business objectives.
Become a SaaS Showplace Sponsor
The SaaS Showplace has become one of the top ranked sites on the web focused on the SaaS market as it attracts a growing number of IT/network and business decision-makers along with xSPs, enabling technology vendors, investors and the press who are discovering the value of the online directory and resource center.
THINKstrategies is a strategic consulting services company formed specifically to address the unprecedented business challenges facing IT managers, solutions providers and investors today as the technology industry shifts toward a services orientation.
The company's mission is to educate organizations about the on-demand services market, and help our clients capitalize on these trends to achieve their business objectives. We help enterprise decision-makers with their sourcing strategies, IT solutions providers with their marketing strategies, and VCs with their investment strategies.
