IDC's Software as a Service research examines the opportunity, customer demand criteria, and business success characteristics for the delivery of software as a service (SaaS). This IDC service identifies the operational strategies for all types of SaaS, along with optimal go-to-market and management strategies. IDC's Software as a Service research also covers the disruptive forces that impact customer demand and vendor business models. Subscribers to this service receive direct access to IDC's top industry experts, who can supply competitive analysis and positioning advice, identify strategic partnering opportunities, assist with speaking to the investment community, provide press quotes, and more.

This service covers the following aspects of the SaaS delivery model:

• Customer adoption trends and preferences, drivers, and inhibitors
• SaaS provider issues, including projected opportunity and business/delivery model strategies
• Market optimization strategies, such as enablement and partnering methods

Throughout the year, this service will address the following topics:

• Global SaaS opportunity forecast and analysis
• SaaS provider software, service, and operational strategies
• SaaS customer and provider case studies
• The economics of delivering SaaS
• SaaS adoption drivers, inhibitors, and customer preferences
• The transition from the traditional software business model to the SaaS delivery model
• Partner and channel strategies for SaaS providers

Our research addresses the following issues that are critical to your success:

1. What disruptive forces are changing the way software is traditionally delivered, and how will they impact vendors and customers?
2. How can software vendors and ecosystem players use SaaS to help meet the needs of customers?
3. Where does SaaS adoption stand today, and where will it be tomorrow?
4. What are the appropriate business models for going to market with SaaS offerings?
5. What impact will SaaS have on the traditional software industry?
6. How can traditional and nontraditional software companies take advantage of the SaaS opportunity?
7. What SaaS channel strategies are emerging? Are there any challenges to SaaS channel agreements?
8. What are customers' decision criteria, purchase intentions, and adoption trends?

IDC's Software as a Service research analyzes the strategies, positioning, and future directions of major providers delivering or helping to accelerate the adoption of SaaS. A representative list of these providers may include:

Accenture, ACS, Adobe, ADP, Akamai Technologies, Apptix, AT&T, Avaya, Axentis, BellSouth, BMC, Business Objects, CA, CaseCentral, Cisco (WebEx Communications), Citrix Online, CollabNet, Concur, CSC, Digital Insight, eProject, HP, IBM, Intacct, Intel, Intraware, Intuit, Jamcracker, Ketera, Kintera, Lawson, Macrovision, McAfee.com, Microsoft, NaviSite, NetSuite, Nokia, Omniture, OpenAir, OpSource, Oracle, Peopleclick, Progress Software, Qualys, RightNow Technologies, Salesforce.com, SAP, Sprint, SPS Commerce, Sterling Commerce, SuccessFactors, SugarCRM, Sun, Symantec, Taleo, The TriZetto Group, Ultimate Software, USinternetworking, Verio, Verizon, Vocus, WebSideStory, Workscape, Workstream, XyEnterprise, and Zantaz.

This service focuses on the following core research. In addition to the insight provided in this service, IDC may conduct additional research on specific topics, or emerging market segments, via research offerings that require additional IDC funding and client investment.

This document explores IDC's predictions and assumptions relating to the forces impacting software-on-demand revenue and the influence they will have on future revenue. It also uncovers key buyer and supplier trends affecting adoption today.

Companies providing SaaS come in many flavors. What approaches are being used today, and how will these models evolve? This competitive analysis profiles the approaches of various vendors and their relative positions delivering SaaS.

IDC offers a complete market intelligence solution customized to meet your business requirements. The array of products and services available to you includes:

• The opportunity to have your specific questions answered through personal interaction with industry experts who cover the topics and markets in your service
• Around-the-clock access to our market intelligence on idc.com, IDC's personalized Web experience
• A view of the market's future with 12 months of continuous intelligence about its direction and the reasons behind it, along with actionable advice for taking advantage of existing and emerging opportunities
• Special client discount pricing on purchases of research from other services
• Complimentary admission to IDC's annual Directions conference, where you'll hear our latest forecasts and network with IDC analysts and other industry professionals
• Complimentary invitations to monthly executive telebriefings, interactive forums designed to provide you with insights about research and strategies directly from IDC analysts

To find out how our flexible packaging options can meet your specific business needs, please contact your IDC sales executive.

As a privately held company, IDC believes that our customers are our primary constituency. A large percentage of every revenue dollar is reinvested back into our products, including more analysts, more geographic coverage, and extensive primary research.

Our steady growth over the past 10-plus years reflects our commitment to investing in our customers.