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Business Strategy for Software Executives |
September 11, 2006 |
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The Future of On-Demand SoftwareAs the market for on-demand and SaaS products takes off, it is critical to recognize what characteristics will distinguish the next generation of leading vendors.By Zach Nelson, NetSuite Larry Ellison once told me that one of the best things that ever happened to Oracle was for IBM to say it planned to build a relational database. Sure, a massive, wealthy competitor was entering Oracle’s market, but at the same time, IBM validated the need for its flagship product. Everyone knows how that story ended: it took IBM many years to bring its relational database to market. In the meantime, Oracle sold them hand-over-fist to anxious enterprise buyers looking to leverage the latest technology. On-demand software may have just reached this tipping point: Microsoft announced it plans to build a suite of on-demand business applications. The good news? It took us eight years to build our on-demand suite at NetSuite. Will business buyers wait nearly a decade for Microsoft’s solution? Probably not. That means the on-demand vendors of today have a significant head start in the market. The future of on-demand software will be even more compelling. The very nature of on demand dictates that its offerings must evolve to meet customer needs more frequently – and that will make for a tough game of catch-up for newcomers.
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Trendwatching in BPO & Services
The 3 Curses of Internet SuccessOne holdover from the dotcom era is the fact that many hotshot companies in emerging technology markets are “cursed” with success. Phil Bookman points out the dangers and some ways to avoid being “cursed” in this week’s post to the SandHill.com Blog on Software Finance. The Linux Desktop Tipping PointThe evidence is piling up that a Linux desktop may not be far off. IBM announced a Linux client for Lotus Notes, IT departments are calling for one, and the kicker? The Asian market will demand it. Guy Smith of Silicon Strategies Marketing details why the Linux desktop tipping point may be closer than most want to admit in last week’s post to the SandHill.com Blog on open source. 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.
Don’t Miss: Getting the Most from Open InnovationA typical large company can no longer rely solely on its own resources. Creation networks are a promising way to move beyond them. Read more about “Creation Nets” in this article from The McKinsey Quarterly. Poll: What is Enterprise 2.0?Experts are debating what – if anything - “Enterprise 2.0” will become. What do you think? Last week, SandHill.com readers gave their opinions as to whether a group of investors could buy Microsoft. More at SandHill.com:Why Vista will mean the end of the Microsoft monolith. Applied Predictive Technologies receives $54 million. Cognizant Technology Solutions buys AimNet. Woodson Hobbs named CEO of Phoenix Technologies. Send us your feedback on this newsletter and the SandHill.com site. Parting Thought“The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.” Courtesy of Malcolm Kusher, The Kushner Group |
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