The curse of application glut

We are currently experiencing an explosion of applications. It's like a Cambrian explosion of life.

It is especially visible in the consumer area, where the number of available apps for a single platform approaches 500,000 (Apple App Store). Android Marketplace is not very far away. Google App Marketplace and Chrome Web Store are slowly following. Even in the pretty conservative enterprise sector we see tens of thousands apps available.

The sheer number of available apps is mind blowing. Also in particular categories the selection is huge.

It's quite a paradox, but the abundance of apps does not make the choice simple. Quite the opposite. One may find it quite difficult to chose the best app for his/her needs in a given category.

The descriptions in software stores are often minimal. It's hard to identify how the applications really differentiate. Reviews allow to filter out the worst apps, but they rarely provide any additional information for choosing among the triage survivors.

You probably remember the menace of the great information glut we've started to perceived some time ago. Now it seems it is reappearing in a new space.

Hopefully we have learnt from the struggle with the general threat and will able to apply tried methods to the new problem. Search, information extraction and collaborative filtering seems the most promising candidates for taming the beast.

The number of information about applications is growing rapidly. They are dispersed and disorganized, though. The volume of social signals is on the raise, too. Now "the only" thing one should do is to put these resources into use for making the selection process simpler. It won't solve all the problems, but it should help.

Alternatively we can always chose apps on the basis of their screenshots... ;)

Critical factors

Critical factors for successful Cloud/SaaS/Online applications acquisitions:

Finding it

• use business language while performing search
• learn what others are doing
• be open to new solutions

Checking it

• talk to software providers using words and communication tools you like
• use trials to get your coworkers opinions
• check software provider online reputation

Buying it

• understand implications: benefits but also scope and necessary changes within the organization
• analyze risks (e.g., data backup and security)
• manage software providers: give feedback, exchange opinions and experience with other users

Cloud/SaaS/Online applications are changing the enterprise world. They successfully supplement big software projects and they allow business people to engage directly in software acquisition process. They make enterprises more agile, more flexible and open for new, innovative technologies. The purchase process is still new and people need to learn it, but its adoption is faster and easier than previous application delivery models.

Report "Cloud/SaaS/Online Enterprise Applications Acquisition What Makes a Difference?" is available at: http://blog.inlevel.com/p/reports.html

Time to buy

The Cloud/SaaS/Online applications delivery model brings the possibility of using applications instantly. When we decided to use an application, we can do this immediately: our computer experience is enough; no additional hardware is necessary; implementation is not required. Typically we need some changes within organization, some business processes should be changed but whole process is rather simple. When we do not want to continue using application we can just stop to use it (typical pay as you go pricing model allows us to do it, but some IT work related to data we entered is necessary: local backup or data migration to other system for example).

Traditional Applications

• contract
• licensing
• maintenance
• hardware
• integration
• adaptation/customization
• implementation
• hot line
• customized SLA

Cloud/SaaS/Online Applications:

• simple pricing: pay as you go
• simple pricing plans (predefined features sets)
• fixed terms and conditions (to sign online)
• online orders and payments
• basic SLA

In general, financial and organizational risk related to Cloud/SaaS/Online Application is lower than when we decide to implement traditional applications (each situation is different and all critical risk factors always should be taken into consideration). It is because such application introduction typically affects only well-defined, limited enterprise areas and do not require significant changes within organization: software supports what people do rather than people having to conform to only what the software was designed for.

We also should take under consideration that people within a department who participated in the purchase decision treat the application as a their own, a new tool to do work better. They like it.

Report "Cloud/SaaS/Online Enterprise Applications Acquisition What Makes a Difference?" is available at: http://blog.inlevel.com/p/reports.html

Have I found proper application?

To check if software we have found is worth purchasing, we must have a conversation with its provider. This is necessary. We need to gather necessary information to make a proper purchasing decision. The success depends on how we do this.

Traditional Applications

• direct conversation
• whitepapers
• technical documentations
• live presentations
• training courses
• reference visits
• trial installations
• detailed features list
• compliance documentation
• security specification

Cloud/SaaS/Online Applications

• Internet conversation
• application online reputation: discussion groups, opinions, communities, social services, social peers references
• online materials: video, tutorials, whitepapers
• Internet conversation: RFI forms, emails, chat
• trials and demos

To resolve business problems we need two kinds of expertise: business related (we have it) and software related (software provider has it). The solution depends on our collaboration: we should provide a description of business problems and ensure that the software provider understands it; the software provider should ensure we understand what he is going to provide and why he provides it.

Modern conversations do not require physical presence: we feel comfortable enough using phones, emails, chat, and social networking services. The typical Cloud/SaaS/Online application provider is prepared to talk with us using all these online methods.

Report "Cloud/SaaS/Online Enterprise Applications Acquisition What Makes a Difference?" is available at: http://blog.inlevel.com/p/reports.html

How to look for Cloud/SaaS/Online enterprise applications?

The key element in performing a successful search is the kind of language we use. There are two separate sets of words: those related to software, used by software providers’ marketing departments, and those related to the business issues we face, which are specific to our job and industry. 

When enterprise software becomes popular, it requires specialized, trained, and experienced IT staff to implement and effectively use it. Deep technical knowledge is necessary to operate it. When everyone uses software enterprise applications, these applications become more user friendly, and almost anyone can use it without technical expertise. The new Cloud/SaaS/Online applications are built this way from the beginning and when we read its descriptions we find it more relevant to business issues than IT technical details.

During the research process it is better to focus on what we want to achieve, not how we are going to do this. This way we can benefit from software providers expertise: we know what; they should know how. This process determines the set of words we use during our search: when we use keywords related to our industry or problems, we feel comfortable and we understand what we need. When we use keywords related to IT terminology, we enter on the ground where software providers feel much more comfortable that we do.

Typical sources of informations:

Traditional Applications:

• ads
• printed articles
• meetings with sales representatives
• calls from telesales
• live presentations
• seminars/conferences/exhibitions
• communities
• vertical associations
• search engines

Cloud/SaaS/Online Applications:

• search engines
• online PR
• specialized online services and blogs
• online publications
• emails
• social networks

Report "Cloud/SaaS/Online Enterprise Applications Acquisition What Makes a Difference?" is available at: http://blog.inlevel.com/p/reports.html

Imagine a world where ANYTHING can be retrieved and analyzed

I have recently read an interesting article in Technology Review about visualizing posts submitted by user to Facebook .

A few days ago there was some turmoil connected with location data being harvested and stored on iPhones and Android-based phones.

The issue of internet privacy is getting more and more visibility, too.

Meanwhile I think we should prepare for a life in a world where even more information about us is recorded and available for data mining.

First, there are our internet activities, scrupulously recorded by Google or Facebook.

Second, our calls and locations are tracked by phone companies and often some third parties like Apple or Google.

Third, our financial transactions are recorded by credit card providers and banks, and sometimes by some online service providers like Mint or Blippy.

Fourth, we are being watched by an increasing number of CCTVs, some of which are connected to face recognition software.

The next wave will come with the ubiquitous chips embedded in stuff we use. These will be able to record our actions, contextualize them in time and space, and transmit to some cloud-based system for analysis.

Each day we are closer to a "World Without Secrets" (see book by Richard Hunter).

What should we do faced by such a prospect?

Probably the safest bet is to try avoiding everything that can put you in a bad light. Just imagine a world where ANYTHING can be retrieved and analyzed by others, like presented in "The light of other days" by Artur C. Clarke and Stephen Baxter.

Cloud/SaaS/Online model basics - just to remember

General attributes of Cloud/SaaS/Online software applications:

• no hardware is required (access is through Web browsers)
• limited, specialized, and well-defined functionality (implementation is not required)
• hosted pricing model (pay as you go)

Why it is worthwhile considering implementing Cloud/SaaS/Online software applications:

• they are modern and innovative
• there is a broad choice
• they are available everywhere (not limited to specific geographical areas)
• they can be used when necessary (for particular needs and time frames)
• they are inexpensive

 

How to get online applications?

To achieve better insight into the details of the acquisition process, we will review the typical procurement stages and take a look at basic differences which Cloud model brought to software acquisition. Usually, to purchase software application for enterprise we need to proceed through three steps:

• finding it
• checking it
• buying it

 In next posts we will try to look closer what is specific for Cloud/SaaS/Online applications when we are finding, checking and buying them.

Report "Cloud/SaaS/Online Enterprise Applications Acquisition What Makes a Difference?" is available at: http://blog.inlevel.com/p/reports.html

Use app when you like it, dump it when you don't find it compelling enough

In its recent research report Forrester has found out that ERP (enterprise resource software) is not on the current agenda at the most of companies.

Forrester analysts Paul Hamerman and Choina Martens wrote in the report that "nearly two-thirds of companies believe their current ERP status quo is good enough for the next few years".

Clearly ERP market has matured. It is really hard to innovate in this area for software vendors as well as to gain competitive advantage by implementing new ERP system for enterprise software users.

Companies looking for innovative applications should look in some other areas.

SaaS/cloud model brings many interesting software solutions, that can be cheaply or sometimes even freely tested.

Use some app when you like it, dump it when you don't find it compelling enough. That's the beauty of SaaS/cloud model!

See my previous post: Time of expendable business software is coming

inlevel.com Published Report Presenting Cloud/SaaS/Online Enterprise Applications Acquisition Critical Issues

(press release)
Krakow, Poland, May 5, 2011 — inlevel (http://www.inlevel.com) published a report showing specific factors related to online enterprise applications that should be taken into consideration when such kinds of applications are being purchased.

Most enterprises are familiar with software acquisition, and they are experienced with the large Line Of Business applications, as far as with infrastructure software and dedicated, departmental solutions. Today when Cloud/SaaS/Online software applications are becoming more popular, enterprises face new opportunities and also new challenges during software acquisition. The report "Cloud/SaaS/Online Enterprise Applications Acquisition: What Makes a Difference?" (available at: http://blog.inlevel.com/p/reports.html) describes critical elements of the procurement process: how to find the proper application, how to check them, and how to buy them.

In conclusion, the report states that "Cloud/SaaS/Online applications are changing the enterprise world. They successfully supplement big software projects and they allow business people to engage directly into software acquisition process. They make enterprises more agile, more flexible, and open for new, innovative technologies. The purchase process is still new and people need to learn it, but its adoption is faster and easier than previous application delivery models."

About inlevel

Inlevel, an Internet company, is developing an online platform connecting users and vendors of business software.

Inlevel’s idea is to create one place where business professionals can find software solutions for most of their business problems using business language. Instead of going through all the marketing babble and technical specifications, one can find business software based on the expected business benefits, one’s particular industry, what business process needs improvement etc. Inlevel provides a novel way of shaping relations with software vendors to assure you get what you expected.

Founded in 2010, inlevel is an Internet platform linking business software users and software vendors around business concepts such as benefits, processes, performance measurements in context of industries and business functions.

For more information and news from inlevel, please visit www.inlevel.com. For additional assistance you may contact inlevel at info[at]inlevel.com.

Web page: http://www.inlevel.com

Company blog: http://blog.inlevel.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/inlevelNet

Twitter: http://twitter.com/completeview

YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/completeview

inlevel LLC

113 Barksdale Professional Center

Newark, DE 19711

Headquarters and Development Center:

inlevel

Karmelicka 55/4

31-128 Kraków

Poland

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