Subject: THINKstrategies Update
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THINKstrategies Update
News and Views Regarding Managed Services, SaaS, Cloud Computing, and the On-Demand Services Movement
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Latest Articles & Commentaries |
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| Greetings! |
I just returned from the Software Business conference where I spoke about the organizational challenges of competing in an increasingly competitive Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and cloud computing market. This event also included a number of somber presentations by venture capital (VC) and private equity (BE) investors warning that the economy is not going to get better anytime soon.
Although THINKstrategies has plenty of research data and consulting experience which leads us to believe that the current economy will drive greater demand for on-demand services, the credit crunch could hasten an industry shakeout as the VCs and PE firms consolidate their portfolios and start-ups find it difficult to finance their growing operations.
I'll be back out to San Francisco this week attending Salesforce.com's Dreamforce conference. Despite the economy, approximately 10,000 people and plenty of SaaS players are expected at this event. (You can find more upcoming SaaS events listed below.)
THINKstrategies is preparing to publish the first of a series of Executive Updates based on our fourth annual SaaS customer survey in conjunction with Cutter Consortium. Our previous surveys have historically led the way in quantifying the growing level of interest and demand for SaaS, and based on our preliminary findings this year will be no exception.
We've also added over 200 new subscribers to our newletter in the past month, bringing the total over 9900 IT/business decision-makers, IT solution providers, press and investors!
Do a Google search on "SaaS" or "Managed Services" and our Showplace sites will appear in the top 5-10 listings, without paying for any Adwords!
- IT/business decision-makers who want to leverage the right on-demand 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.
Contact me if you'd like to learn how you can leverage THINKstrategies' consulting services to achieve your business objectives, or to give us your feedback.
Jeff Kaplan
Managing Director
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| GE Endorses On-Demand Services |
| This week GE lent its support to the on-demand service movement by publicly revealing that it has deployed a Supplier Information Management (SIM) service provided by Aravo Solutions.
In THINKstrategies' view this is a milestone event in the evolution of the on-demand services market. It clearly demonstrates that on-demand services are gaining acceptance among the world's largest enterprises, despite continuing skepticism among many industry analysts and reporters. It also dramatically illustrates the scalability of today's on-demand solutions. GE's Aravo-powered SIM solution will support a third-party network of over 500,000 suppliers!
Click here to read more about this historic announcement, and contact us if you know of other major deployments of SaaS, cloud computing or managed services. |
| Measuring the Net-New Opportunities in the SaaS and Cloud Computing Market |
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Whenever I get a call from a reporter regarding the latest managed service, SaaS or cloud computing vendor news, I am usually asked which vendor will be hurt by the announcement or competitive move.
While there are plenty of times in mature markets when one vendor's move will adversely affect another's position, that isn't necessarily the case in a rapid growth market like managed services, SaaS and cloud computing.
Here are a couple of examples:
The growing number of vendors targeting SaaS integration and security are also gaining market penetration. I've recently participated in webcasts on behalf of both OutProtect and Symplified in this growing market segment. You can also find a recent whitepaper below sponsored by Symplified.
This past week, Microsoft unveiled its cloud computing platform to its ISV partners. While it is still more vision than reality, Microsoft's latest push into the SaaS market further legitimizes the trend.
IBM also released a web version of its Lotus Notes collaboration software as it attempts to be more than just an enabler of third-party SaaS solutions.
These are all indicators of the rapid growth of the on-demand services market. On the other hand, they also suggest that we are in a 'gold rush' era which will inevitably end with a shakeout. THINKstrategies expects a series of mergers, acquisitions and closures over the coming months.
Do you want to better understand how these competitive trends impact your company? Do you know a company who deserves to be profiled by THINKstrategies? Contact us. |
| New Showplace Sponsors, Perspectives and Benefits |
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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.
Click here if you'd like to learn how you can increase your visibility and add your whitepapers to the Managed Services and SaaS Showplace. |
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Upcoming Events |
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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' Managed Services & SaaS Readiness Assessment Services |
| Despite growing customer demand for Managed Services and SaaS, THINKstrategies has found many aspiring providers of these on-demand services 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 and Managed Service Provider (MSPs) 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 Showplace Sponsor |
| The Managed Services and SaaS Showplace have become the top ranked sites on the web focused on the Managed Services and SaaS markets. These sites are attracting 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@thinkstrategies.com if you'd like to gain greater industry visibility via our unparalleled online directories or our 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 | | |
