Today I while catching up on my blog reading and I came across a slew of interesting posts on SAAS at Amy Wohl blog, here are few key exceprts from the multiple posts, this is going to be a long one.

First she takes on the question of - "We can do it (technically), but the users just aren't ready." Is a SAAS related question?"

• Internet Users exist in a Server-Based EnvironmentInternet users already exist in a server-based environment, using software provided to them across the web by web site owners.
• We Underestimate UsersI suspect we are underestimating their willingness to use on-line software. They are, in fact, doing that already.
• Different Geographic Areas Behave DifferentlyThis will be particularly useful in North America, with its 67.5% Internet penetration rate. There, SaaS providers will need to look to different models to gain familiarity and trust. Different markets may require different approaches.
• Business as a ServiceMiko Matsumura, the Vice President of Market at Infravio, a provider of SOA Web Services management products, puts it this way. "Software as a Service gives you software when you call the method; Business as a Service gives you the business process with the desired result." That means our Internet users are in many cases already experiencing Business as a Service.

Now to the next topic, We have been hearing a lot about Web2.0, Where the web becomes the next development platform. Well Amy proposes that SAAS Applications are also likely to become "Platforms" for Development.

Mark Benioff, founder and CEO of SalesForce.com, is, however, turning SaaS into something more. He sees SalesForce.com and its associated products like sForce and CustomForce, a way of turning his offering into a platform. Developers are invited to offer their products on top of the SalesForce.com platform to both SalesForce.com�s customers and to the ISVs own customers for an SaaS application.

We think that the notion of turning popular SaaS applications into the hub of multi-application (and service) offerings is likely to become a very common one. "Hub Applications as Platforms"

On Second thoughts the other two entries that i want to highlight i will probably put them in as a seperate post.

Prashanth Rai

Tag(s): SAAS, IBM