Some data validating the focus on SaaS from Zomentum. A majority of small and medium businesses (66% ) view SaaS technology as essential to business success and plan to adopt or develop it aggressively. The primary drivers for seeking new SaaS applications, according to respondents, are the need for additional capabilities or functionality (43%), a change in processes or a new initiative (31%), cost savings (30%), a shift in customer requirements/preferences and technology at the end of life (both 29%).
The SaaS vendor brand also matters, with 37% of SMBs reporting they’d consider buying from a SaaS vendor with a well-known brand, and 35% of respondents say they regard third-party ratings and expert recommendations as necessary when evaluating a SaaS application.
The research finds that clear advantages are essential, too, with 54% saying they would buy an application if they could easily determine specific business benefits such as time or money savings, followed by simple pricing with transparent and all-inclusive details (54%). The flexibility to pay for only what they need and use (47%).
Thanks to Channel Pro for this story.
Yesterday I talked about the cloud slowdown reported by the large public cloud providers, yet today’s data points to continued interest. What gives? This is about the subtle difference in the data. Today’s survey measures sentiment – the customer’s intention to buy. The data from yesterday was about how much they are buying, and since consumption is based on the business-run rate, it’s slowing as the economy cools.
The point remains this – plan for some cooling from customers on consumption, and do not read that as a change in commitment to the technology investment.