Most Complex Aspect of Cross Media Software Development

Most Complex Aspect of Cross Media Software Development

After some research and considerable networking and development the most complicated aspect of application development for a fully comprehensive cross media solution is not the PURL or the personalization of the print piece but in our humble opinion, the ability to provide a user interface that is flexible enough, yet clear and not complex for the campaign manager to or user create the dynamic fields for the PURL itself.

For example, if you the provider want to enable your customer, the marketer the ability to create alternate form fields for their campaigns landing page, how do you provide the means to allow them to easily manage that?

Many companies such as easyPurl and L2 have some really good technology, but I would argue that .net has the most capable means to allow for the creation of dynamic form field as relate them to the fields of the data of the campaign.  Of course I’m biased a bit towards Microsoft technology, but like we mention to our clients, the best part about our software, is that if we are hit by a bus, they can find alternate individuals to pick up the pieces and follow the development patterns relatively easily.

 

For SaaS, the word “website” is too emotional

For SaaS,  the word “website” is too emotional

As I’ve been researching and working with a number of industry professionals for quite some time, I’ve seen a number of different solutions out there. And as the SaaS model for software development grows, pinning down the features and advantages of an affordable, do-it-all winner is becoming difficult to say the least.

One piece of advice a personal advisor and mentor of mine said to me the other day, “a website carries too many emotions with it.” He was dead-on. As in my personal experiences, I’ve seen the same thing. Providing technology that is web-based, should not mean you provide a “website”. They are 2 different models. Sure they share the same, common framework and technology, but their purposes are different. When a customer wants a website, they are going to want something that reflects upon them as a company or individual. While in comparison, an “ordering system” or “control panel” is different. It serves a purpose and doesn’t need to reflect any emotion. That doesn’t mean to say, it shouldn’t look professional, clean and even somewhat mirror a brand or company image. But to provide a website as the solution clearly will have much more in terms of maintenance and set-up issues. Feel free to argue with me here.

 

SaaS Adoption – Obstacles No More

SaaS Adoption – Obstacles No More

I’ve been following and number of blogs and doing some research on the SaaS model for more than a year. I ran across some interesting facts and points that I thought it appropriate to re-iterate.

Software-As-A-Service (SaaS) is here to stay, I have no doubt about that myself, especially on certain levels. The question is, what are the keys for adoption for this model for the small-to-midsized businesses?

1. Security, Uptime and Peace of Mind. With more and more acceptance the fear of your data being secured and having, on-demand service. These issues are becoming less and less of an obstacle.

2. Cost. Now more than ever firms are needing lower costs and fees to continue their existence and survival. Having a pay-as-you-go model , if priced correctly is substantially less than buying complex software packages. Estimates range anywhere from 70 to 80% less.

3. Function not Form. I somewhat disagree with this point for some firms that put a lot of value in their brand, where their internet presence is a reflection of their company. But for most, having a clean, if not very simple interface with a logo only will more than suffice.

4. Need it Now. Most SaaS providers have a turnkey system that allows their users to set themselves up almost instantly. With instant gratification being the mantra of the day, this is clearly a benefit for those who need software to start selling and marketing themselves.

Hopefully the above points will help the adoption of this model of business. I for one, personally believe in this model, done correctly of course. It just makes a lot of sense on many levels.

 

SaaS 3.0 and Web-To-Print SaaS

SaaS 3.0 and Web-To-Print Saas, or software as a service, is not only a hot topic within a difficult economic climate, but is a hot topic in the printing and marketing world. The splinter in my mind is; where is the balance and cut-off of the technical features that are common to all, while not handicapping the same users ability to compete in the market. No doubt the SaaS model is here to stay and and effective tool to provide loads of technical capability typically out of reach for most print provider budgets, but does the same restrictions hurt the providers ability to customize and look differently? As one individual, who has literally constructed these types of offerings I would put to the world a simple formula. KISS. Keep It Simple Silly. While looking and all the neat bells and whistles, I typically ask prospects and colleagues a simple question; what problem are you looking to solve?

Almost universally, the answer is, “Increase Sales”, which drives me crazy because its just to abstract and non-specific. A follow-up question, “how then”, usually we get a plethora of different answers, but most common denominator is “accept custom quotes” and provide a preflight tool. These same findings, I have shared with my teammates and have worked to enable a SaaS model for print and marketing providers to offer these same capabilities to their customers. What is the result? We’ll, still TBD, but stay tuned.

 

SaaS for Web-To-Print?

Saas, or software as a service, is not only a hot topic within a difficult economic climate, but is a hot topic in the printing and marketing world. The splinter in my mind is; where is the balance and cut-off of the technical features that are common to all, while not handicapping the same users ability to compete in the market.  No doubt the SaaS model is here to stay and and effective tool to provide loads of technical capability typically out of reach for most print provider budgets, but does the same restrictions hurt the providers ability to customize and look differently?  As one individual, who has literally constructed these types of offerings I would put to the world a simple formula. KISS. Keep It Simple Silly.  While looking and all the neat bells and whistles, I typically ask prospects and colleages a simple question; what problem are you looking to solve?
Almost universally, the answer is, “Increase Sales”, which drives me crazy because its way to vauge.  A follow-up question, “how then”, usually we get a plethora of different answers, but most common denominator is “accept custom quotes” and provide a preflight tool.  These same findings, I have shared with my teammates and have worked to enable a SaaS model for print and marketing providers to offer these same capabilities to their customers.  What is the result? We’ll, still TBD, but stay tuned.