I still believe — strongly — in software as a service (SaaS). But it’s critically important to keep SaaS market realities in perspective. Is SaaS really that hot? Or is the market lukewarm? The answer varies from company to company. But here are some important clues from NetSuite, one of the most successful publicly held SaaS software providers.
ZOHO: Blending SaaS And Managed Services
Posted July 23rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Consider two of the biggest questions facing MSPs: First, how will managed services and SaaS (software as a service) converge with one another? Second, what role will MSPs play in that convergence? Take a look at ZOHO Corp. and you might begin to find some key trends and answers. Here’s why.
Gartner: The Great SaaS Debate
Posted July 9th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Generally speaking, I respect Gartner’s research. I’ve quoted Gartner’s analysts since about 1992. But a recent Gartner report suggests businesses are only “somewhat satisfied” with software as a service (SaaS). I know SaaS has its flaws and challenges. But are businesses only “somewhat” satisfied with SaaS? Really?
SaaS Stocks Up Nearly 30% In First Half 2009
Posted July 3rd, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
The worst of times have turned into the best of times for software as a service (SaaS) stocks. After a horrid performance in 2008, SaaS stocks rallied nearly 30 percent during the first half of 2009, according to Nine Lives Media Inc.’s SaaS 20 Stock Index. Here’s a look at the SaaS leaders to date…
SaaS Stocks Continue Winning Streak
Posted April 11th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
After a depressing 2008, software as a service stocks continue to rally in 2009. The latest example: Our SaaS 20 Stock Index rose 3.45 percent for the week ending April 10, and the index is up 8.68 percent since the start of 2009. Here’s a quick look at the SaaS industry’s year-to-date winners and losers.
The SaaS Bubble Already Burst (But Don’t Panic)
Posted March 17th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Examiner.com openly wonders if software as a service (SaaS) is the next tech bubble that will burst. The piece was written March 13 — a day after I asked if the MSP bubble would pop. But I think the Examiner’s views are painfully out of date. In fact, our own SaaS 20 Stock Index shows the SaaS market bubble burst in early 2008. Now, I think the SaaS industry is on the road to recovery and doing just fine, thank you. Here’s why.
NetSuite Winning Back Wall Street?
Posted February 16th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Software as a service (SaaS) stocks fell slightly during the week ended February 13, but shares of NetSuite (N) — provider of on-demand ERP software — continue to rally. Here’s a look at the overall SaaS 20 Stock Index plus the reasons driving NetSuite’s recent rally.
Software as a Service Stocks Down 5% In 2009
Posted January 25th, 2009 by Joe Panettieri
Our SaaS 20 stock index, which tracks software as a service stocks, is now down more than 5 percent in 2009, having slipped a nominal 1.22 percent for the week ended January 23. Here’s a look at the weekly SaaS winners and losers.
NetSuite: Bad News, Good News for Software as a Service
Posted November 4th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
NetSuite, one of the software as a service (SaaS) industry’s key players, remains stuck in a financial paradox: Even as the company’s revenues rise dramatically, NetSuite’s stock remains depressed. What does that say about the SaaS market as a whole?
Software as a Service Stocks Rise Nearly 4 Percent
Posted September 21st, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
While financial stocks were on a roller coaster ride, software as a service (SaaS) stocks delivered a strong showing for the week ended Sept. 19. In fact, MSPmentor’s SaaS 20 Stock Index rose 3.81% on the week. It was the first time the index rose since mid-August.
SaaS Stocks Down 12% So Far In 2008
Posted June 9th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
The next time somebody tells you software as a service (SaaS) is a home-run opportunity, tell them to take a close look at MSPmentor’s SaaS 20 Stock Index, which tracks many of the world’s “leading” SaaS companies.
The Biggest Threat to Managed Service Providers
Posted May 5th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
What’s the single biggest threat to managed service providers:
- Commoditization?
- Big vendors like Dell entering the market?
- The economy?
Actually, I think it’s something else.
Wall Street: Turning Sour On NetSuite, SaaS?
Posted May 5th, 2008 by Joe Panettieri
Talk about role reversal. A few months ago, RightNow was plummeting and NetSuite was skyrocketing. But the two software as a service (SaaS) companies appear to have traded places. Only a day after RightNow announced financial progress, NetSuite delivered growth projections that disappointed Wall Street.
NetSuite IPO: Worth Watching
Posted December 10th, 2007 by Joe Panettieri
Managed service providers should keep a close eye on NetSuite this month. The hosted accounting software provider is launching its initial public offering on our about December 20. NetSuite’s performance on Wall Street could provide some clues about the evolving software-as-a-service landscape.
Software as a Service: Two Options Worth Noting
Posted November 13th, 2007 by Joe Panettieri
For many managed service providers, hosted email represents a first foray into software as a service (SaaS). But email is a commodity these days — a nice, basic offering that pays decent dividends but won’t make you rich. If you’re looking for growing SaaS opportunities, it might be time to embrace hosted CRM (customer relationship management) or business intelligence. Here’s why.
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