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Focus Area: Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
Saugatuck's Software-as-a-Service research
and consulting practice focuses on the rise
of Software-as-a-Service
(SaaS) as an alternative software delivery
and business model. Our research shows that companies
are attracted to SaaS as a strategy to cut
costs, improve service delivery and faster RIO through faster
implementations. In some cases, it also reflects a desire by users
to shift expenditures from
the cap-ex budget to the op-ex category.
Software-as-a-Service
represents a significant disruptive force for the IT industry. Among the most important challenges for both
net-native start-ups
bringing new innovation to market as well as established players
adding SaaS to
their portfolio of offerings are significant go-to-market issues,
internal management issues and investor management issues.
Earlier
research published by Saugatuck in 2003 and 2004 suggested that
large enterprises would lead SaaS adoption through 2005. However,
recent research indicates that SMB executives now see SaaS as
“ready for prime time,” and are convinced that SaaS is a viable
business-critical platform. This is especially true for back-end
database driven applications such as human resources, financials/ERP,
CRM and various collaboration requirements (e.g., eMail), as well as
highly distributed applications such as sales force automation and
field support.
Representative Consulting
Engagements
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Buyer adoption forecasts and profiles
by segment |
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Purchase decision criteria, process and
priorities
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Competitive and market
assessments |
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The intersection of SaaS, SOA and Open Source |
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The intersection of SaaS and
BPO |
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Emerging pricing and licensing
models |
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The impact and role of
advertising-supported SaaS |
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Emerging SaaS aggregation
platforms |
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Market opportunity analysis and
targeting |
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Market positioning and
messaging for both vertical and horizontal segments |
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Emerging business model
considerations, including valuation and product/positioning
transitions |
Relevant links to Published Saugatuck
Research Topics
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Featured
Research Reports
Cloud Infrastructure Services Data Report: Traditional Approaches to New IT
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Monetizing the Cloud: Assessing Billing and Payment Providers
Effective billing and payment solutions are essential in enabling monetization, providing agility in competitive situations, managing the channel, and reducing operational costs for any Cloud services provider. This study examines and explains the need for, and roles of, billing and payment solutions in all aspects of Cloud Computing. The study also profiles solutions of leading Cloud billing solution providers, assessing each according to eight critical selection and use criteria.
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An Endless Cycle of Innovation: Saugatuck SaaS Scenarios Through 2014
Software-as-a-service (SaaS) is part of a multi-year “loop” that reciprocates between users and providers, with each side influencing the other. Mismanaging this “endless loop of innovation” prevents user firms from being able to derive competitive advantage from SaaS, prevents SaaS providers from competing effectively, and traps ISVs from growing along with the global IT market. Understanding how each side influences the others, and how to manage through changing market scenarios, is the key benefit to readers of this report.
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The business potential of enterprise social computing (ESC) delivers quantifiable business value by improving collaboration and business performance within and between user enterprises. This report includes insights, analysis, and recommendations from Saugatuck’s social computing research program, including in-depth guidance to buyers and providers to maximize the business value of ESC.
Click here
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