14 DAY TRIAL // Although not a big fan of SaaS, Microsoft has debuted an international program designed to bridge independent software vendors to the Software as a Service (SaaS) delivery model. By comparison, Microsoft's own strategy is focused on the Software plus Services approach. ISVs and hosting providers are invited into the Redmond Company's incubation center program built around the evolution of software distribution.
"The growth projections for software delivered as a service present ISVs with significant opportunities, as well as new challenges," said John Zanni, director of Worldwide Hosting at Microsoft. "Through the SaaS Incubation Center Program, hosting providers are able to combine their traditional expertise in managing infrastructure and delivering services with business and design guidance to help ISVs embrace this new model. Building on the Microsoft Solution for Windows-based Hosting for Applications and the SaaS On-Ramp Program, the SaaS Incubation Center Program helps bring together the world-class infrastructure, consulting services and partnerships ISVs need to be successful."
According to Microsoft, the ISVs will be able to access not only technical guidance, but also consulting services, and the hosting channel that will serve as the infrastructure for the new software distribution model. However, Microsoft will also emphasize the benefits ripe for the picking for the hosting providers in relation to partnership development with ISVs.
The Microsoft Solution for Windows-based Hosting for Applications will be at the basis of the SaaS Incubation Center Program. In this manner, service providers will be able to access the platform architecture, guidance and sample scripts necessary to host SaaS-based applications.
"As one of the pioneering SaaS application delivery companies, OpSource is well aware of the commercial, financial and technical challenges ISVs can encounter when transitioning to the SaaS delivery model," said Richard Dym, senior vice president of marketing and business development at OpSource Inc. "Microsoft's early commitment to helping build the SaaS industry by bringing together hosting providers and ISVs has played an important role in the growth of OpSource's SaaS and Web application delivery business."