Software as a Service (SaaS) in Emerging Markets

Speaker: Hubert Selvanathan, Software Industry Analyst and Senior Consultant, Vital Wave Consulting
Date: Friday, July 24, 2009
Time: 9:00 - 10:00 AM Pacific Time

Format: This interactive session will be held via teleconference with materials and dial-in details delivered to registered attendees prior to the event.

To register: Click here or send your name, title, company, and phone number to events@vitalwaveconsulting.com. This a free event and open to the public. RSVP is requested.

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is a business model in which an application is hosted online and services are provided and paid for on a subscription, or per-use, basis. SaaS applications in emerging markets are gaining traction, but growth rates vary significantly across markets and regions. Businesses in these economies are investing in SaaS applications to cost-effectively extend services to new customers, albeit in selective application categories.

There are several reasons SaaS is starting to take off in emerging markets. Many multinational corporations are expanding their overall emerging-market presence. Meanwhile, local companies in service-based and some manufacturing-based economies are increasingly viewing technology as a way to compete and collaborate on a global scale. Improving broadband infrastructure, lack of legacy IT systems and low upfront investment costs are further enabling SaaS growth in these geographies.

For companies investigating or embarking on SaaS programs, the keys to success are to have a clear understanding of individual market dynamics and to develop a partner ecosystem for local distribution and fulfillment. This presentation by Vital Wave Consulting will provide insights on SaaS through discussion of the following topics:

• An overview of the SaaS landscape in emerging markets
• Characteristics of early adopters and mainstream buyers
• Analysis of key SaaS vendors in emerging markets
• Ecosystem of partners for sales and servicing