From Bubble to Breakthrough

Reshaping a dotcom startup into an enterprise software powerhouse took focus and discipline.

By Josh Pickus, Computer Associates

When you’re running a company, it can be easy to get lost in the day-to-day. This was especially true during the Internet Bubble. Everyone knew that the business behavior of dotcom startups and Wall Street was unsustainable, but there was so much going on – and so many dreams of what we were going to become - that everyone continued to enjoy going through the motions.

Until the market fell out from under us, that is.

Many software CEOs are in a similar position today. There is an opportunity for most companies to reinvent themselves to better compete in the next software era. Yet there are so many day-to-day functions, strategic half-steps and false hopes distracting them, most executives will miss the window of opportunity to reinvent their companies.

This Bubble-to-breakthrough story shows how newfound discipline and focus were the keys to ensuring our company’s future.

Software 2006 Special Offer Expires March 3!

At the end of this week, the final discount registration period for Software 2006 will end. Don’t miss your chance to save! Over 2,500 senior software executives and professionals will be there on April 4 and 5 in Santa Clara. Calif. to discuss the key issues which will shape the next era of software business. In addition to insightful keynotes, Software 2006 will host dozens of actionable breakout sessions on critical issues such as open source and software-as-a-service. See the full list of breakout sessions and register for this one-of-a-kind event!

Buying an Open Source Company?
What Will You Get?

There are lots of reasons that Oracle might think of buying JBoss. But when you buy an open source venture, what exactly are you getting? Brand? Community? Jeffrey Nolan of SAP Ventures analyzes this issue in the latest post to the SandHill.com Blog on open source.

3 Reasons to Consider China

The new Sand Hill Group study on offshoring found most software companies continue to send work to India. But the study also found that rising costs in the region are causing software vendors to consider other regions. David Scott Lewis provides his perspective on why software vendors should consider China in a new post to the SandHill.com Blog on Offshoring.

The SandHill.com Blog is ready for your perspectives. We publish insightful strategy and opinion pieces by a variety of software executives, analysts and professionals. If you would like to contribute a post, email editor@sandhill.com.

Join Our Offshoring Webinar on March 22

Software CEOs and VPs are invited to join the Sand Hill Group and Persistent Systems for a webinar on Software's Offshoring Leaders on Wed. March 22 at 11am Pacific time. Sand Hill Group's M.R. Rangaswami will discuss highlights from the new study on software vendor offshoring trends, and will be joined by product development experts to discuss the latest strategies, challenges and best practices. Register now!

Listen In! New SaaS Podcast Online Now

Software as a Service is bringing sweeping changes to the industry. Learn more about the important implications and the resulting investment opportunities in a new podcast from SandHill.com, “SaaS Comes of Age.” SandHill.com publisher M.R. Rangaswami hosts a lively discussion with Gordon Ritter, general partner at Emergence Capital Partners, Michael Topolovac, CEO of Arena Solutions and Joe Kraus, CEO of Jotspot. Listen now >>

Poll: Big Earnings at Salesforce.com

Last week, Salesforce.com reported strong customer growth based on record revenue. What does this mean for the future of on-demand apps?
Take our Pulse Poll >>

Last week, SandHill.com readers gave their opinions on what major vendors' acquisitions of open source companies meant to the future of the movement.
Give us your opinion and see the results >>