8 Myths of Software-as-a-Service

abb_road writes "BusinessWeek looks at the current state of software-as-a-service, arguing that the model is well established and is distinct from failed ASP/Hosting models of the dot-com era. Far from a passing fad, the model is starting to see large-scale adoption, and traditional vendors are having trouble revamping their applications and financials to get in on the action. From the article, 'As SaaS gains mainstream acceptance, it is becoming an important disruptive force in the software industry. And as long as the quality and reliability of SaaS solutions continues to improve, the appeal of SaaS isn't going to go away.'"

there are already disservices.

[Gravis Zero]

they have had disservices for a long time... just look at windows. it's a huge disservice.

Oh goody! More buzzwords!

[AKAImBatman]

To condense the article down: SaaS is a fancy term for outsourced business operations. The only difference is that companies provide communications about these services through... (wait for it)

(wait for it)

(keep waiting)

the INTERNET!

Are you impressed yet? It's very Web 2.0, I'm sure. Some of them might even use AJAX and Social Networking and Portal Technology and Peer to Peer Business to Customer relationships and ...

so let me get this straight....

[BugDoomBug]

And as long as the quality and reliability of SaaS solutions continues to improve, the appeal of SaaS isn't going to go away

You mean if quality and reliability continue to improve that you appeal will continue to grow???

Why didn't someone let me in on this secret a long time ago!

Re:Oh goody! More buzzwords!

[Unski]

The article acknowledged that this was merely the reincarnation of old-style Application Service Providers but also said that the current climate is more permissive for several, well, err 2, reasons;

"Today's economic and competitive pressures make nearly any form of outsourcing fair game."

"Many companies now consider various IT functions and business applications commodities and not core competencies."

In trying to explain the new-wave of software rental services It further notes that:

"Companies of all sizes are taking advantage of SaaS. The scalability of the new generation of SaaS solutions enables users to test the reliability and performance of on-demand applications in limited deployments, and expand their adoption incrementally."

...etc.. but I didn't recognise that as a language with which I am familiar. A colleague says it is some form of 'marketingspeak', a language I am not conversant in.

Fluff the Magic Dragon...

[farlane]

...is apparently now writing for Business Week.

AYBABTU

[kimvette]

Are there any software products from major software vendors who boast EULAS which don't effectively state AYBABTU?

Re:What a stupid clueless article ...

[WebHostingGuy]

Stop being so logical and informative in your posts. That's not what we are here for on Slashdot.

Re:so let me get this straight....

[Khammurabi]

You mean if quality and reliability continue to improve that [your] appeal will continue to grow???

That implies that all unappealing people produce low quality products and are highly unreliable. However, since I produce high quality products and am reliable, I must therefore be appealing.

Awesome! I AM a hunk!

Read article, and still with some hubris can say..

[HellYeahAutomaton]

"It's a trick. Get an axe." - Ash Housewares, Army of Darkness

mod up

[Mateo_LeFou]

Nice post. Saas just has a stinky aura to it. It adds a new possibility to ye olde adage:

Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day
Teach him how to fish; he'll eat forever
Sell him fishing-as-a-service, and pretty much his entire physiological development is subject to the vagaries of *your busines model, because he wanted to concentrate on his core competencies