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THINKstrategies Update
News and Views Regarding SaaS, Cloud Computing, Managed Services and the On-Demand Services Movement
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Latest Articles & Commentaries |
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| Greetings! |
We are now more than half way through Summer in the Boston area, and the temperature is finally starting to align with the calendar.
The growing interest in Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), managed services and cloud computing alternatives to traditional applications and technologies is also being fueled by a similar type of alignment. In this case, it is the way in which the business benefits of these three on-demand or 'out-tasking' services align perfectly with the business needs of organizations of all sizes across nearly every industry as a result of today's increasingly challenging economic environment.
While this alignment is fueling the growth of the industry, it is also attracting a proliferation of players and creating a 'cloud rush' affect that is already causing an industry shakeout.
THINKstrategies' mission is to promote the business benefits of SaaS, cloud computing and managed services, and help our clients capitalize on this rapidly evolving movement.
We help IT and business decision-makers make the right strategic sourcing choices; solution providers make the right marketing choices; and investors make the right investment choices.
You can hear my views about how the success of SaaS and managed services has led to the rapid growth of the cloud computing by listening to my recent podcast on TechTarget's SearchCloud Computing website. (Registration required.) You'll find more of THINKstrategies' perspectives below.
Our latest partnership is with Cloudbook, a rapidly growing online forum regarding the cloud computing phenomenon.
THINKstrategies' SaaS and Managed Services Showplace sites continue to be the top-ranked, online directories and best practice resource centers in their respective markets on Google!
Since the last issue of this newsletter. we've added over 300 new subscribers, bring our total to over 11,700 IT/business decision-makers, IT solution providers, technology investors, and business and industry press!
This newsletter includes our latest perspectives regarding the on-demand services marketplace, as well as news regarding upcoming industry events.
Please contact me if you'd like to learn how you can leverage THINKstrategies' consulting and strategic marketing services to capitalize on today's SaaS solutions, cloud computing capabilities and managed services to achieve your business objectives.
Jeff Kaplan
Managing Director
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| On-Demand Service Market Developments |
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July also brought Google's latest attack on Microsoft's monopoly in the PC world. This time Google announced a frontal assault on Microsoft's stronghold in the operating system (OS) arena with its own Chrome OS.
Despite Gartner's warnings that customers are not fully satisfied with today's SaaS solutions, Callidus Software announced that it is moving its entire operations to a 'recurring revenue' model for both its on-demand and on-premise solutions.
Callidus stated that its move to a 'cloud'-based approach is being driven by rapidly changing customer preferences for on-demand alternatives to traditional, packaged software. This trend was most clearly illustrated by Siemens AG's decision to acquire SuccessFactors' on-demand human capital management solution.
I'm pleased to be chairing IDG World Expo's new CloudWorld conference in San Francisco, August 12-13, where these trends will be examined and discussed.
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| Best of SaaS Showplace Awards Program |
| In January, THINKstrategies launched its Best of SaaS Showplace (BoSS) Awards program to bring greater attention to SaaS providers, as well as cloud computing companies, which are delivering measurable business benefits to their customers.
We have received a continuous stream of nominations which have produced twenty-five (25) BoSS Award winners worldwide across a wide array of application and infrastructure service areas. Click here to read about the BoSS Award winners to date.
The BoSS Award program is an ongoing effort to showcase SaaS and cloud computing providers who are delivering meaningful business benefits to their customers.
If you think your company or know of another company who qualifies for a BoSS Award, click here to learn more about the program and application process. |
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Upcoming Events |
Next week, I will be chairing IDG's new CloudWorld in San Francisco, CA. The event is August 12-13, and co-located with OpenSource World (formerly LinuxWorld) and Next Generation Data Center conferrence.
I am also continuing to present THINKstrategies' perspective regarding SaaS, Cloud Computing and Managed Services at NetworkWorld's IT Roadmap regional conferences and will be in Dallas and Seattle in September.
I'm also moderating two panels at the SIIA's On-Demand Conference, October 29-30, in San Jose, CA. Register using PRMTHI and receive a $100 discount off the individual non-member rate.
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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 was the first consulting firm to offer 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 |
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.
Contact us for more information about our services or Showplace sponsorship opportunities. | | | |
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