Jun 16, 2009
Market Service: Customer Management
Cloud Computing: A Boon for Users, but a Challenge for Service Providers
Chris Fletcher, Phil Fersht
Shorter implementation times, easier integration, and a move from CAPEX to OPEX expenditure provide a financial boon for companies moving to cloud-based applications, but they also represent a challenge for service providers. How will the evolution toward cloud applications impact IT and BPO services provider delivery models, and how should an IT organization rethink its service provider relationships in the wake of implementing cloud-based enterprise applications?
Apr 27, 2009
Market Service: Global Business and Outsourcing Services
SaaS and BPO Providers Should Work Together To Create Business Utility Services
Phil Fersht, Dana Stiffler, Dennis Gaughan
Software as a service (SaaS) creates a business utility service that is revolutionizing the software and outsourcing industries. At the same time, AMR Research has seen strong uptake in the adoption of business process outsourcing (BPO) services, which often suffer from the lack of low-cost application delivery and common business processes and standards. Is software as a service the answer to solving the issues with business process outsourcing? The following article discusses how BPO and SaaS delivery models can come together to deliver a real low-cost business utility.
Dec 5, 2008
Market Service: Global Business and Outsourcing Services
Building the Outsourcing Innovation Index: In Pursuit of Non-Linear Growth
Dana Stiffler, Phil Fersht
Among the top strategic initiatives global service providers are pursuing today, non-linear growth is the Holy Grail. AMR Research is introducing the Outsourcing Innovation Index, which helps to identify companies that have done the best job separating head count from revenue growth and profitability, thus making themselves most attractive to shareholders.
Jun 24, 2008
Market Service: Global Business and Outsourcing Services
Consulting in the Cloud: The Emerging SaaS Consulting, Product Development, and Outsourcing Ecosystem
Dana Stiffler, Robert Bois
SaaS is on a roll, even for large enterprises, raising concerns among service providers that the ERP gravy train may be nearing its final destination. Our latest research indicates, however, that SaaS actually gives rise to new service revenue opportunities in product development, support, and hosting.
Nov 27, 2007
Market Service: Global Business and Outsourcing Services
Consulting and IT Services Market: The SaaS Effect
Dana Stiffler, Robert Bois
Salesforce.com's momentum in the Fortune 500 raises a number of interesting questions for consultants and integrators. While it's true that software as a service (SaaS) chips away at traditional software vendor implementation and enhancement revenue, reports of the billable hour's death have been greatly exaggerated.
Jun 8, 2007
Market Service: Customer Management
RightNow Technologies: Blue Skies in Big Sky
Bruce Richardson
When RightNow founder and CEO Greg Gianforte chose Bozeman, Montana, as the headquarters for his new company, it made sense. The rugged, fresh air, blue-sky feel to the place seems to be a natural fit with a provider of sturdy software. In fact, I asked Mr. Gianforte about the company's close rate when he hosts prospects in Bozeman. He smiled and said, "It's very good." Here's an update on the company and what Bozeman has to offer that San Jose might not (and vice versa).
Mar 15, 2007
Market Service: Global Business and Outsourcing Services
Innovation in IT Services and Outsourcing: Platforms Rule
Dana Stiffler
We found a common theme on our recent trip to India: nearly all the service firms are going beyond ERP services to help clients support adjacent infrastructure and business processes with more platform-based services. There's broad recognition that services have to be standardized and delivered in a more one-to-many fashion if service providers are going to grow and stay profitable over the long term.
Feb 23, 2007
Enterprise Application Strategies
Mondays With Workday, RightNow, salesforce.com, and Software Appliances
Bruce Richardson
We recently caught up with Dave Duffield and team for an update on Workday, the new "on-demand ERP" company the PeopleSoft founder launched in March 2005. Here's an update on the company and words from two new high-profile customers: RightNow and salesforce.com.
Jan 26, 2007
Market Service: Global Business and Outsourcing Services
Talk Back: Nobilis' CEO Responds to \"Four Questions for salesforce.com's Marc Benioff\"
Bruce Richardson
This week we start a new feature called Talk Back to encourage reader feedback on our research. While we can't promise that your comments will appear every week, we will strive to present your viewpoints. First up, a response from Jim Maniscalco, founder and CEO of Nobilis Software, a Boston-area web application development platform vendor, regarding last week's "Four Questions for salesforce.com's Marc Benioff."
Dec 21, 2006
Market Service: Customer Management
Inside salesforce.com's New AppStore
Bruce Richardson
salesforce.com recently unveiled its AppStore vision and monetization strategy. While the wording is a bit odd, it does represent another brilliant marketing idea. In essence, salesforce.com is providing the next wave of virtualization for its AppExchange application partners.