I’ve been thinking about the software-plus-service model, where a vendor offers online (hosted) software components that integrate with the vendor’s software installed onsite at the end-user organization (i.e., the customer). Microsoft is pushing this approach in response to on-demand offerings from Google and other providers. More recently, SAP AG has jumped on the software-plus-service bandwagon as it has backed off its on-demand-only efforts. In some ways, this “hybrid” model makes sense. In other ways, it seems like it could be the worst of both worlds.In the case of SAP, the idea that some ERP components should remain onsite with the customer seems to make sense because of the security and reliability concerns I have with the on-demand-only model used for crucial enterprise applications. For example, if your hosted ERP application goes down or becomes unavailable for almost any length of Read more …

When I read Steve Andriole’s recent post (via Cindy Swain), What Are the Rules, I looked at the calendar…no, this was not April 1st.

What a thought-provoking post!

Yes, as some of the comments to Steve’s post indicate, there are definitely some controversial “rules” put forth. To put it mildly. Writing about them all would fill a book. I will just comment on a couple of the proposed rules.

“1. CIOs should come from the business, not the technology ranks: technology-rooted CIOs will never really understand the importance of business as the technology driver. When prospective CIOs start talking about network latency and virtualization, it’s time to get the hook out; go with the professional talking about up-selling and cross-selling every time.”

It can also be said that business leaders will never understand the depth and nuances involved with Read more …