|
Success! Your email has been sent.
Bhopu / Archives /
October 2007
|
|
 |
Posted On
Oct 27, 2007
in
|
|
|
We have seen years of booming software industry, it hit a critical inflection point and moved closer to being an on demand service. For a number of investors this change in the software business model has lead to deep consequences, leaving very little place for Normal Valuation metrics.
With changing times the subscription model has changed from more traditional model to contemporary one.
The perpetual model of subscription allows customers to pay big upfront fee for the right to use software forever, with software companies.
One of the best examples for this subscription model is iForem, a new File Management vault that guarantees lifelong file retention.
To read more on this visit: http://blog.iforem.com/corporate/2007/09/ rel="nofollow"
By contrast, under a subscription model customers pay a lower subscription fee to essentially rent the software over a set period of time and receive upgrades or enhancements as often as every day.
Subscription models are changing their rules today
Websites offering a limited amount of content, access to website to non subscribers, reveals the growing changes connected to the subscription-based online model.
While a lot of companies opened their content free as well, they also keep a part of it fee based. Moreover their archives are usually paid as they carry built in research audience that don’t mind paying for the archived content.
They have also started opening their content at the same time while maintaining their subscription model, as they look to target the higher end business users who are more willing to pay for their content.
Giving people an access over some content and then asking them to subscribe for the rest, subscription models have changed the manner a lot of websites function today.
A fine example of a company who changed their subscription model is FT.com. They did the same in favour of a new Hybrid structure that allowed people 30 views per month. This should mean that light users of the site will be able to access what they want, as well as allowing bloggers and news aggregation sites to link to the FT’s content.
If it works, the FT may have found a way to boost its traffic and income from online advertising, while still retaining its income from subscribers.
Advantages of Perpetual & Monthly based subscription models
Online business today follow either of two different subscription models, either they can sell a product or a service that the users pays for upfront, or they sell a service that acquires an ongoing fee. In some cases, they can even combine the two models to function properly. Let us examine the advantages and disadvantages of both.
For a company, the advantage of the subscription service model is obvious; it is a constant, more predictable revenue stream. The vendor has no guarantee that businesses or individuals will upgrade their software as soon as a new version appears; many just keep on using the old product as long as it meets their needs. If they’re tied into a subscription model, they must pay the yearly fee to keep using the software.
There are advantages for the customers, as well, although they depend on how the service is implemented. If, rather than paying $500 for a perpetual software license and then paying an upgrade fee of $300 every couple of years when a new version comes out, you could instead pay $150 per year for a subscription, your overall expenditure and your initial outlay would be lower. And, as for the vendor, the cost is more predictable and thus easier to work into the budget.
As most of the other online storage services charge monthly subscription, some carry pay once mode of payment. So convenient for people as they don’t have to bother about their data if they miss paying their monthly subscription fee online. The data is retained life long and forever.
A lot of people might think that subscription model is simply a defensive growth by software industry, but I think it is sustainable for a reason and that is it matches the pricing with economic benefit
I could never make out any sense in a company paying million upfront in search of gains. A perpetual subscription model makes more sense here as it helps create a lock with customers for longer period.
Lets take a look at the one of the worlds best companies adopting new subscription models for their Dynamics.
Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Dynamics SL and Microsoft Dynamics CRM are available under a Subscription Licensing Model, Services Provider License Agreement. Today Microsoft certified service providers and Microsoft partners can deliver hosted and subscription-based Microsoft Dynamics applications to their customers.
To read more on this visit: http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/partners/hosting.mspx rel="nofollow"
Future of subscription models
Whether the software is on-demand or on-premise, i believe the subscription model will become the dominant form of selling software over the next ten years. And in the coming few years perpetual subscription model might occupy less than half of the software industry’s total revenue.
I believe the subscription revenue model is a positive innovation for the industry. However, i do not believe it is wholly revolutionary, nor do I think is it a model that is immune from execution risk. The fact is that no matter what a company is selling, the first and foremost reason a customer buys the product is because it does something of value.
Some Related Articles:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted On
Oct 26, 2007
in
|
|
|
 I still remember by friends running around searching hundreds of colleges to get information on admission procedure and other campus particulars. I wish we all knew that we would soon have this entire information just on one podium. Now, here’s one that will help you make those decisions about what college you should join a whole lot easier – by connecting with students from colleges and reading their comments and reviews on their alma mater. Surprised?
I’m talking about the new online college community, Collegespeaks. This site makes a successful attempt at providing a common platform for colleges and students to share specifics about the campus, education and much more.
It is the first time colleges and students will be provided a platform to come together for facilitating beginners. This concept has just begun to snowball as Collegespeaks is bringing a different piece to the table.
Collegespeaks is the perfect solution for educational institutions to provide the perfect website where they can place information and be visible to a large number of students all over. While all colleges want to reserve a good website for their institute or college and reach out to the masses, and a number of college have actively promoted websites, they haven't necessarily been able to coordinate efforts. Collegespeaks has been designed to enable colleges to quickly create mini sites within the website, add content without space constraints and update it as often as they like while gaining mass students viewer-ship. It also helps students effectively search colleges and gain access to course, infrastructure and faculty related information amongst other things. The website further helps colleges to promote events taking place at their college, education methods followed and add campus pictures and news.
How did the concept come about?
As stated by Akshay, CEO Vinfotech “It is very important to know real campus experiences as it gives the true feel of life at a college. Collegespeaks encourages active participation from students who don’t otherwise have a platform to share their experiences which are helpful for those who are looking out to shortlist colleges they would like to join”.
To accomplish this, an interactive and easy to use website was required and Collegespeaks team comprehended this to create a platform that provided both. The website focuses on:
- Providing colleges easy access for adding and updating information about themselves: faculty and specific course information, link to their website and email, along with a comprehensive list of opportunities, programs and other infrastructure available in the campus while creating a central resource that lists all the college resources available in states
- Also, providing a place where students can express their experiences and views about academics, extra-curricular and infrastructural support available at the colleges they are attending.
All these features make Collegespeaks a unique resource that connects all college resource programs and aids the decision of students short listing colleges to apply to.
Feature Launched - College Corner
 A completely new concept where colleges can register and display their particulars like awards and honours, campus news and events, courses offered, campus pictures and infrastructure to provide more information about their college to students. Collegespeaks is committed to making colleges more accessible on web. By providing each college with their own detailed website on Collegespeaks along with the ability to easily update it, it is a unique solution for colleges to reach out to the student community.
Some features of College Corner:
• The only platform that brings colleges and students together
• Colleges get unlimited space for their site within Collegespeaks
• After registrations, colleges can make unlimited updates and stay current
• Upload pictures, prospectuses and admission forms, add contact, infrastructure, placements details to their site
• Add as many pages and sections as they require
• Avail the 90 Days Free Trial before they subscribe
• Be on the only website that brings students and colleges together on an interactive and easy to use platform
Collegespeaks has over 3000 colleges and more being adding everyday.
 Upcoming features on Collegespeaks:
• Student registrations
• Search
• My Campus
• Grade Your College
In days to come, Vidya Vyas, owner of Collegespeaks.com plans to release many new and interesting sections on Collegespeaks stemming from her commitment of providing simple solutions to everyday needs. I look forward to writing another article on this exciting new space on the web soon. Till then, I wish the site luck and hope to see it rise to become a one-stop-college-student-solution online.
Some Related Articles:
Collegespeaks.com is live!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted On
Oct 18, 2007
in
|
|
|
 There was a time when one of the most difficult aspects of being a Real Estate company was knowing what to say and when to say it. They all had that one or two questions they silently begged their client or prospect not to ask. Maybe it was, “We want to pay a lower commission” or, “We want to think it over”.
But today with the use of web as a primary media option for researching real estate the client interaction and the approach has taken a spin. More and more office management functions are now possible on the Internet, rather than on a single computer or in-house network. There are intranet applications that allow brokerages to share documents, calendars, scheduling, tasks and email all online.
A number of real estate websites already run on web today, and a few more gets added to the hub everyday. Making an effort to pull business many of such websites overlook the user benefit. But Zolve subsides this approach by launching its new real estate website that interests the common as well.
Zolve-Website excellence
Given the competitiveness of the real estate sales industry, a real estate web site needs to be inviting, highly interactive and functional. When done right it will attract and keep customers at your web site.
But some some real estate professionals miss out on effective website, as they don’t recognize how important this marketing tool can be.
Real estate design, website aesthetics and ease of use are three vital elements of the Zolve website. For users, this effective real estate web design can quickly take your business to the next level. The site provides users not only with a lot of informative content, but exactly what they looking for, information.
- Zolve carries a decent number of pages with each page holding specific user content.
- Zolve is a more interactive site as compared to the others floating on web, the interactive lady on the homepage helps even less technical savvy people locate their desired information.
- Zolve has made appropriate use of Web 2.0 technology to cater the interests of the users who look for more participation.
- Slowly but steadily Zolve will be adding more real content to their website that will interest a number of users.
Zolve-consumer benefit
With a huge coverage even before the site launch, is not very common. Its not just a normal PR campaign that worked well, instead the popularity comes because of over 2,200 pre-registered members that the site raise.
Real Estate professionals these days are a part of a number of real estate websites, but they look for a platform that provides a different and a better way to connect with their agents that gets them more business and the users improved services.
And Zolve just hit the nail here, as it approaches the real estate industry through social networking, a completely different approach in which real estate business that has never been looked at before
Since referrals account for a great deal of revenue for agents each year, Zolve gives real estate professionals a way to connect with a referral network of agents in any city, anywhere in the world. Zolve automates the entire referral process allowing agents to give and receive more referrals.
What makes Zolve distinctive?
Social networking
Honestly after spending much time on the site over the last few weeks, I have eventually noticed so many distinct features that I am sure not many real estate websites offer these days.
This is to a lot of people who think Zolve is yet another social networking websites, I would want to clarify here that Brain had made just the appropriate use of social networking feature. Getting people into interaction with each other benefits the users, as they have a better idea of opting out the best. This is not for people to make friends or look around for uploading party pictures, but some serious business.
Blogging
As we enter into the golden age of blogging, and the maturity of social media websites like Facebook, Linkedin, ActiveRain, and others. There is a trend emerging among real estate professionals as well. A number of realtors spend time networking, reading other blogs, participating in a community, or contributing in any way.
As we usher in a new generation of eager bloggers, Zolve knew how to apply it right? It offers a filter based blogging method that allows users to choose their readers while blocking it for others.
Blogging new posts every week helps users well versed with the real estate market conditions. It also helps users create a network with other bloggers, which further helps real estate professionals generate referral business. This is a big red ocean, so make use a much of it.
Customized profile page
One of the whole lot of features that makes Zolve a complete standout is the customization of users profile page. Zolve offers a unique and customized page to every meember that can be used as their online brand with pictures and blog content on it. The users can also use this page as their personal webpage. These pages will soon be search engine optimized as well.
Business Cards
 Zolve introduced a new feature called Business Card, which provides all the basic details for professional real estate members of Zolve. This card carries details like Person’s name, Company’s name, Primary market, Profession type and Star ratings that helps visiting members locate information about each and every member.
Worldwide referrals
Exchanging referrals with other professionals is something that is already happening everyday in the offline world, Zolve has just created a technology solution that enables it to happen more efficiently online. This unique and a revolutionary feature from Zolve allows real estate professionals to send or receive referrals worldwide, irrespective of national or professional boundaries.
The news of Zolve being live will certainly license Better Homes in days to come. Zolve has given something different than just being one of those monotonous real estate websites that runs in heaps today.
Zolve will surely make lots of its competitors crawl the wall, resulting everyone striving to give their best and more focused on building clear business models.
We all looking forward to Zolve’s show in the real estate industry in days ahead.
Some Related Articles:
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |