Socialism or Capitalism, the age old debate is still going on? However SAAS has created a new trend in software business and we can find similarities to socialist movement.

When SAAS has been started, there were pessimistic views on its viability, data security, privacy etc. Surprisingly most of the enterprise opponents of SAAS are also now offering such services.

We can see the amazing popularity of SAAS across world's no.1 capitalist countries also. In other words, we can say, today, we have many capitalist turned socialists.

If you are thinking that this is the end of enterprise software and legacy projects, you are abosolutely wrong. SAAS is just another alternate delivery model, which offer services for same price for anybody who subscribe it. Just because you belong to Fortune 500 group, you are not going to get additional privileges or custom specific features in SAAS. Somebody may be very specific to eat swiss made custom chocolate, which is handmade and warpped in italin hand made paper, of course, you will get it however with a special premium price. If you are of this kind, go and get enterprise software and custom project combo.

You may find another set of people, neither they believe in socialism nor in capitalism. They dream for freedom of a United States Citizen while living in China. SAAS as well as Enterprise software professionals should be very careful when deal with with these kind of folks, because they can spoil your happiness and eventually your business model.

I have been engaged in software product business for the last 7 years and here is my suggestions for a software pick

1. Never deviate from real business requirements.

Eg:- You have a problem in billing counter and associate is uanable to serve a customer in less than 2 minutes. The actual problem was lack of typing skill of the new sales associate. Solution could be training or replacement. However you store manager suggested to replace the billing software, which eventually cost you $$$$

2. Do not pick a product just because of its projected brand value

Eg:- Your consultant suggested to buy ABC Software for your business for $$$. However for your business, suitable pick was another product with much more compatibility towards local practices as well as legal aspects, which is offered by a domestic company at for $$

3. Never go for a software product just by seeing the sales presentation. Insist for actual software demonstration or trial and then finalise the deal

Eg:- A well trained sales man can give a flashy presentation for an hour and steal your attention. However the actual product may not match with your expectations

4. Disclose your budget and pitch for negotiation only after product examination and demonstration

5. If you belong to small and medium business segment, try to find a SAAS vendor. Just pay for use and no need to own it.

Eg:- You have 50 employees, part of the workforce work from office, couple of them work from remote field offices and some work from home. On top of this,  you wanted to automate employee information, track time and attendance, monitor expenses and route accurate info to payroll and ensure timely payroll process, payslips and statutories. Here, best choice could be SAAS Payroll and spend a few hundreds every month.