Interesting things are happening in the software world right now that could have a major impact on how you run your business.
These changes are tipping the balance away from big software vendors and empowering customers, giving them the ability to get solutions tailored to meet their specific business challenges without breaking the bank in the process. Let's look at two such changes.
The first is the simple fact that many types of software are already commodities. There are perfectly good alternatives to expensive software that carry no license fees, brought to you by a global community of programmers who work on open source software products.
With open source, not only is the software free, you also get the source code. That means you can change anything you want, you're no longer at the mercy of the vendor.
You might say, “I'm no programmer.” But consider this: Would you buy a car with the hood welded shut?
You might not be a mechanic, but shouldn't you be able have your engine tuned or repaired somewhere other than the factory it was built at? It's all about choice, and flexibility, which brings us to the second major change.
Increasingly, successful software companies are known for the level of service they provide. It makes sense, if the product is a commodity, what really distinguishes one vendor from another?
The notion of software as a service is catching on, and that is a fundamental change. Let's look at the enterprise resource planning, or ERP, software market as an example.
ERP systems provide a single system to control sales, inventory, manufacturing, distribution and accounting. For many years, only larger businesses could invest the required dollars to license, implement and support these complex systems. Today, smaller companies can look to more flexible ERP options based on open source software.
Software vendors, like xTuple of Virginia, have built their companies around long-term service and support relationships with customers. Their products are less expensive to buy up front, and the vendor focuses on providing outstanding service and support.
As the markets for businesses become increasingly global and competitive, the need for software to provide more visibility and control over business operations is clear. The good news is, with the rise of open source software and a renewed focus on customer service, you have new options to consider.
For more information or a complimentary consultation, visit www.sdmacit.com or call (760) 751-4292.
These changes are tipping the balance away from big software vendors and empowering customers, giving them the ability to get solutions tailored to meet their specific business challenges without breaking the bank in the process. Let's look at two such changes.
The first is the simple fact that many types of software are already commodities. There are perfectly good alternatives to expensive software that carry no license fees, brought to you by a global community of programmers who work on open source software products.
With open source, not only is the software free, you also get the source code. That means you can change anything you want, you're no longer at the mercy of the vendor.
You might say, “I'm no programmer.” But consider this: Would you buy a car with the hood welded shut?
You might not be a mechanic, but shouldn't you be able have your engine tuned or repaired somewhere other than the factory it was built at? It's all about choice, and flexibility, which brings us to the second major change.
Increasingly, successful software companies are known for the level of service they provide. It makes sense, if the product is a commodity, what really distinguishes one vendor from another?
The notion of software as a service is catching on, and that is a fundamental change. Let's look at the enterprise resource planning, or ERP, software market as an example.
ERP systems provide a single system to control sales, inventory, manufacturing, distribution and accounting. For many years, only larger businesses could invest the required dollars to license, implement and support these complex systems. Today, smaller companies can look to more flexible ERP options based on open source software.
Software vendors, like xTuple of Virginia, have built their companies around long-term service and support relationships with customers. Their products are less expensive to buy up front, and the vendor focuses on providing outstanding service and support.
As the markets for businesses become increasingly global and competitive, the need for software to provide more visibility and control over business operations is clear. The good news is, with the rise of open source software and a renewed focus on customer service, you have new options to consider.
For more information or a complimentary consultation, visit www.sdmacit.com or call (760) 751-4292.