Powering the Business Web

A “simpler is better” approach to software-as-a-service is changing the way enterprises innovate, collaborate and succeed.

By Brett Caine, Citrix Online

The Business Web has evolved. It offers a simpler, better way to conduct business for anyone and any size business with an Internet connection. It’s simple in concept and in execution with innovative Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) for access and collaboration.

SaaS is a promise come true for small and medium size businesses. For a monthly fee it provides easy, fast, low-cost access to the most sophisticated tools and applications, as well as entrée into the global marketplace. It may be the most important business technology we’ve seen in the last 20 years.

Software vendors who deliver SaaS solutions can enhance the success of the Business Web for their clients by delivering simple solutions that meet the needs of today’s fast-growing enterprises.

Predictions for 2007: The CIO Perspective

Leading-edge CIOs, Toby Redshaw of Motorola and Dave Watson of Kaiser, give us their take on the enterprise software market in 2006 and make some interesting predictions for 2007 in this candid conversation with Sand Hill Group’s MR Rangaswami. Click here to visit the SandHill.com podcast page and listen to Predictions
for 2007: The CIO Perspective.

Measuring Outsourcing Success

Outsourcing promises huge cost savings but gathering hard numbers on the success of these initiatives can be challenging. Steve Mezak of Accelerance shares the list of the most important metrics to track for offshoring management in this week’s post to the SandHill.com Blog on outsourcing best practices.

Rethinking the Importance of “Strategic” Deals

As software startups grow, there is a tremendous amount of effort placed around securing so-called “strategic” deals with key customers. Although these deals are important, Joseph E. Bentzel of Assymetri says they may not be the relationships that make or break the company. Joseph looks closer at three software superpowers and the deals that set the stage for their success in this week’s post to the SandHill.com Blog on Sales & Marketing.

Why Google Answers Died

Last week’s end to the Google Answers offering offered many lessons for Web 2.0 offerings. Jonathan Klein of Topline Strategy Group reviews where Google slipped up and why Yahoo got this one right in this week’s post to the Enterprise 2.0 blog.

Publish Your Perspectives!

The SandHill.com Blog wants your opinions. Send your thoughts on the enterprise software industry to editor@sandhill.com and we’ll publish them in our blog.

Earlybird Registration Open for Software 2007

Software 2007, the industry’s largest vendor-neutral gathering will take place on May 8 and 9, 2007 at the Santa Clara Convention Center. Join 2,000 software CEOs, VPs, investors and experts for two action-packed days of vision, best practices and unparalleled networking opportunities. Register now and qualify for the special “earlybird” rate of $1,495 which allows you to bring three additional colleagues at no extra charge. This offer expires soon!

Visit http://www.software2007.com to find out more and register.

SOA Soap Box

SAP and Gartner speakers fuel momentum towards a services-oriented world; plus another big week for India, experts start the flow of predictions for 2007 and Apple edges into the enterprise? Read these stories and more software news of the week in the SandHill.com news summary.

Strategy Books for the Holidays!

Make all of the software executives on your list even more savvy with books from the SandHill.com books list. New titles cover everything from SOA, grid computing and offshoring, to sales, marketing and innovation. Click here to scan the SandHill.com list for the most insightful gifts of the year.

Poll: Software Story of 2006?

What was the most important story in the software industry this year?
Take our Pulse Poll >>

Last week, readers gave their opinions as to what Microsoft really wants out of its open source alliance with Novell.
Give us your opinion and see the results >>

More at SandHill.com:

Wipro chairman says outsourcing is flourishing due to a shortage of skilled U.S. workers.
Read the most important enterprise software industry news of the week >>

Goodmail Systems receives $14 million.
Monitor the latest software venture capital deals >>

Rocket Software pays $60 million for Seagull Software.
Size up last week's software M&A deals >>

Colleen O'Keefe named senior VP of services at Novell.
See who's made it to the top in our list of recent software executive appointments >>

Send us your feedback on this newsletter and the SandHill.com site.

Parting Thought

“People don't change when you tell them there is a better option. They change when they conclude they have no other option.”
–Michael Mandelbaum

Courtesy of Malcolm Kusher, The Kushner Group