White Papers
Enabling ISVs to Migrate to Software-as-a-Service
Independent software vendors (ISVs) are facing unprecedented challenges to withstand not only the current economic crisis, but a fundamental shift in customer preferences relative to how they acquire and use business applications. A combination of market forces is driving a growing number of organizations of all sizes to adopt Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions to achieve their business objectives.
Customer satisfaction with the initial round of SaaS solutions has led to greater receptivity among IT and business decision makers, opening the door to a wider array of market opportunities. However, low barriers to entry have also permitted an assortment of startups and peripheral players to enter the market, posing a serious threat to established ISVs.
While some ISVs still refuse to believe that the SaaS phenomenon is anything more than the latest technology-industry fad, those ISVs that recognize the need to respond to these trends are quickly discovering who, fulfilling their customers' escalating expectations is becoming increasingly difficult given, today's challenging economic environment.
With its ability to provide reduced total cost of ownership and ease of use, SaaS offers ISVs a compelling way to extend customer goodwill and loyalty amid these tough economic times.
For established ISVs to succeed in the SaaS market they must move from a product-centric to a services-driven business model. Some suggest that moving to SaaS entails a change in corporate DNA. The process involves a series of challenges which ISVs must overcome to transform into a successful SaaS player. See our viewpoint in this latest whitepaper.