While Software as a Service (SaaS) is heating up in Australia with more offerings coming to market, local IT managers are still reticent about taking the plunge.
Salesforce.com has seen massive growth in recent years for hosted software and only this week Webcentral launched an online sales hub for SaaS applications.
But SaaS is still seen as more of an option for small to medium sized businesses (SMBs).
Johnstone Shire Council IT manager James Scullen said that as a local government authority, the organization uses a lot of customised and specialist programs and wouldn't benefit from the SaaS model.
"I think it would be beneficial for those able to use it, but given our structure we haven't considered it," he said.
Morrison Motors CIO Kuma Ekanayake believes SaaS is a good idea for companies who have structural and employee fluctuations.
"Companies like these, who may use applications which have varying content like tax and payroll software, would benefit from not having to pay for extended licences and implementation," Ekanayake said.
"Companies would most likely use it seasonally, such as over Christmas or tax time where staff levels and requirements change.
"However, I think using programs for such small amounts of time may complicate the situation and be too risky; if a company needed software over a four month period, it could easily take that long for managers to familarise themselves with it. This creates obvious risks due to inexperience. Why not outsource instead?"
The new WebCentral Application Marketplace provides 'on demand' business applications ranging from CRM to accounting and tax services.
WebCentral CEO Andrew Spicer said that as part of the launch, the company is creating an online forum where local application developers can promote their products.There is currently 25 local application providers as members.
One of the most popular applications on the Application Marketplace to date, he said, has been We Call You Now, a 'click to call' online sales tool that allows Web site visitors to receive an instant phone call.
WebCentral is continuing to actively seek further SaaS providers as members.
- with Sandra Rossi
- +
Ticked Off at Tick the Box Mentality 04/02/2008 13:01:15
Does your executive search firm know the difference between an MIS manager and a CIO, and if it does, can it explain that difference to its corporate clients?Does your executive search firm know its MIS managers from its elbow? Does it even know the difference between an MIS manager and a CIO, and if it does, can it explain that difference to its corporate clients? - +
Strategies for Dealing With IT Complexity 24/12/2007 10:30:47
Every innovation, every business process improvement, comes with an IT complexity tax that must be paid by CIOs in time, money and sweat. Here are strategies to mitigate the increasing complexity of IT as it enables new business.Every innovation, every business process improvement, comes with an IT complexity tax that must be paid by CIOs in time, money and sweat. Here are strategies to mitigate the increasing complexity of IT as it enables new business. - +
Toxic Mix or Bit of a Mixed Blessing? 31/12/2007 10:36:30
“Eye of newt, and toe of frog, Wool of bat, and tongue of dog . . . ” The inter-generational office brew of Boomer, Gen X and Gen Y may not be quite as odious as that of the three witches in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, but even so it makes “for a charm of powerful trouble”"Eye of newt, and toe of frog, Wool of bat, and tongue of dog . . . " The inter-generational office brew of Boomer, Gen X and Gen Y may not be quite as odious as that of the three witches in Shakespeare's Macbeth, but even so it makes "for a charm of powerful trouble"
Read up on the latest ideas and technologies from companies that sell hardware, software and services. Zones provide focussed content from Computerworld and leading technology partners.
Discover how SOA can create smarter outcomes for your business.
Attend and learn:
- How SOA is helping leading companies to become more agile
- Where you should be applying SOA processes in your company
- The top SOA implementation mistakes to avoid
Click here for more information.
- +
Computerworld Live Podcast #97: The Future of Enterprise Networking 25/07/2008 09:45:36
This week CW Live chats with Mark Thompson, global sales and marketing manager for HP ProCurve, on the future of the enterprise networking. Mark discusses the trends we can expect to see in the near future and how the right infrastructure can ensure your enterprise network is secure. - +
Computerworld Live Podcast #96: Security at the Edge 11/06/2008 09:22:22
CW Live speaks with Amol Mitra, HP ProCurve Director of Marketing for Asia Pacific and Japan. Today's topic: how enterprises are starting to shift away from simply controlling security via server logins, firewalls and moving to more adaptive security frameworks. - +
Data Management Edition #10: Multi-Petascale Systems 02/05/2008 09:12:33
This week we look at sustainability and the development of multicore technologies to build multi-petascale systems. - +
IT Security Edition #11: How to poison the Storm botnet 01/05/2008 08:51:55
This week CW Live presents a case study on how to poison the notorious Storm botnet . Plus we take a look at Cisco's plans for Ironport. - +
IT Security Edition #10: Cyber-battles fought and won 24/04/2008 11:09:47
Vendors bow to end user pressure to improve product security, and we take a look at the latest concepts shaping the cyber-battlefield of the future.
AARNet Helps to Advance Indigenous Health 2008-12-02 12:44:00+11
Orbis selects Telstra International as its data centre partner for the UK, Europe and Middle East Region 2008-12-02 11:23:00+11
ComOps Deploys Corporate Performance Reporting Solution For Healthcare Test Manufacturer 2008-12-02 10:09:00+11
Mornington Peninsula Shire implements Objective to manage knowledge and deliver service excellence 2008-12-02 09:56:00+11
Virtual magic: HR specialist throws out 40 servers, adds 8TB SAN and saves $100,000 for disaster recovery 2008-12-01 15:28:00+11
Radicati Market Quadrant 2008 on Corporate Web Security
An Analysis of the Market for Corporate Web Security Solutions, revealing Top Players, Mature Players, Specialists and Trail Blazers. Read on to discover who makes the grade.
Buying Guides
Buying Guides
