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Subject: Software-as-a-Service Showplace Update
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Software-as-a-Service Showplace Update
News and Views from the SaaS Resource Center
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Latest Articles & Commentaries |
The Maturation Process of SaaS Support
Cloudonomics and Calculating the Risk and Return of SaaS
What Happens When Software CEOs Refuse to Accept Change
SaaS Overcoming Common Customer Concerns
Ten Reasons Why On-Demand Services Will Soar in 2008 |
| Showplace Sponsors |
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Akamai Technologies
Aria Systems
Dell
Kaseya
QuickArrow |
| Showplace Partners |
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iCentera
Triple-Tree, LLC |
| About THINKstrategies |
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Our Perspective
About Us
Our Services
Success Stories
News/Views/Pubs
Newsletter Archive |
| Quick Links |
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THINKstrategies
Managed Services Showplace
SaaS Showplace
THINK IT Services Blog | |
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| Greetings! |
Welcome to the September 2008 issue of THINKstrategies'
Software-as-a-Service Showplace Update.
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.
We are also supporting two industry surveys--SoftLetter's SaaS benchmarking survey for vendors and Cutter Consortium's Software Service Models for Business Applications survey for customers. Please take a moment to complete the survey of greatest interest to you.
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.
Jeff Kaplan
Managing Director
THINKstrategies | |
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| Customer Support in the SaaS and Cloud Computing Market |
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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. |
| New Showplace Sponsors, Perspectives and Benefits |
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THINKstrategies is pleased to welcome Akamai Technologies as the newest sponsor of the SaaS Showplace.
Click here to read about Akamai's SaaS application performance acceleration solutions.
The SaaS Showplace Best Practice Portal, powered by iCentera, includes numerous whitepapers regarding SaaS industry trends.
Here are some examples of the sponsored whitepapers,
- SaaS Solutions for Remote Systems Management, sponsored by Dell.
- "Automating and Optimizing Service Desk Performance", sponsored by Kaseya.
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.
You can find more whitepapers, webinars and other valuable resources on the Showplace SaaS Insights page.
Click here if you'd like to learn how you can add your whitepapers to the SaaS Showplace or benefit from our perspectives. |
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Upcoming SaaS Events |
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I will be presenting THINKstrategies' on the rapidly changing SaaS market in the following webinars over the next three weeks,
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"Best Practices for Evaluating SaaS Solutions for Enterprise", a webinar sponsored by Callidus Software, September 24, 11:30 am ET.
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SIIA Marketing & Communications Webcast: "What Marketers Can Learn from Engineers", 12:30pm ET, October 7.
I am also moderating a SaaS and cloud computing track at NetworkWorld's IT Roadmap on SaaS and Cloud Computing in Dallas next week.
I will discussing how SaaS is penetrating the enterprise at the SoftLetter SaaS University, San Francisco, CA, October 14-16. You can save $100 on the registration by using code THINKSAVE100.
I will be examining the business implications of the rapidly evolving SaaS market at Software Business 2008, San Francisco, CA, October 30-31.
I'm also moderating a panel on SaaS from the professional services point of view at SIIA On-Demand Conference, San Jose, CA, November 17-19. For a $100 discount option, click here and use promo code PRMTHINK.
Contact us if you'd like to learn how you can include THINKstrategies' perspective at your upcoming public or corporate event. |
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THINKstrategies' SaaS Readiness Assessment Services |
| 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.
These services are based on THINKstrategies' extensive experience in the managed services business.
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.
Contact us at info@saas-showplace.com or go to the Sponsorship Opportunities page of the SaaS Showplace if you'd like to gain greater industry visibility via our unparalleled online directory or this increasingly popular e-newsletter. |
| About THINKstrategies |
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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.
THINKstrategies is also the founder of the Software-as-a-Service and Managed Services Showplaces, the largest vendor-independent, online directory and information resource centers.
Contact us for more information about our services or Showplace sponsorship opportunities. | | | |
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THINKstrategies | 22 Park Avenue | Wellesley | MA | 02481 | | | | | |
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