LoadSpring Connections Newsletter
SaaS (Software as a Service):
The future of utility computing.

You've probably heard about SaaS or know someone who's begun deployment. As an application provider, we've seen SaaS's popularity steadily rise, as more and more customers come on board with us.  In fact, as described in our recent press release, LoadSpring is reporting an extraordinary 300% increase in revenue growth over Q1 of last year.

Naturally, we're pleased with these results. We're also grateful for the opportunity to serve and support many great new customers. But our success reflects a much broader trend toward SaaS and other similar Web-hosted software solutions.  A trend that, by all indications, will continue to surprise and impress everyone associated with enterprise IT.

Fast growth, adoption predicted
Market sources report that SaaS adoption has been growing at more than 20%, year-over-year. Worldwide, the SaaS market reached $6.3 billion a couple of years ago. 

If you're unfamiliar, SaaS is a powerful, Web-hosted software delivery model. Customers don't pay for owning the software but rather for using it. Project management is a good example of a popular hosted application. Hosting gives project teams anytime, anywhere access to all project management apps, through a secure, user-friendly login. Through the Internet, users can view the latest, most up-to-date data and reports-from anywhere in the world. 

Convenient, secure, cost effective
This software delivery model offers obvious financial, operational and risk-reducing advantages. Today, SaaS is seen by many as the preferred platform for multiple, business-critical applications and processes.  Industries ranging from financial services and energy to utilities and government currently rely on SaaS for enterprise-wide applications.

 "The world is starting to wake up to the potential of SaaS," observes journalist, Phil Wainewright.  "A year ago, you could still find plenty of SaaS naysayers among mainstream software vendors. Now, even the larger ones are keen about showing off their SaaS credentials."

The right solution at the right time
It's difficult to ignore SaaS's impressive acceptance rate.  If your organization seeks to reduce software TCO and IT infrastructure costs, it may be equally difficult to ignore SaaS's distinct business advantages. For many enterprises, SaaS is a faster, less risky, and generally more cost-effective deployment alternative for achieving critical business objectives. Here's the short list of why:
  • Low risk, low cost - the financial and operational challenges of deploying new software fall squarely on the application provider (us), not you; plus, it's difficult to beat no big upfront investment and pay-as-you-go pricing

  • Low TCO - cost saving advantages in every key area, from deployment, licensing, maintenance, security and support

  • High value - a hosted model gives users access to the latest software solutions, including security technologies; SaaS also frees up IT, infrastructure and financial resources to allow you to focus on higher-value business opportunities

  • Simplicity - your apps are always there, always on; and there are no installation headaches, no upgrades, no pesky patches

  • Scalability - you can add as many hosted apps as you want with no compromises in performance

Compelling business case
Given the current economic climate and dim prospects for a short-term turnaround, we feel there's a compelling business case for Web-hosted applications. Simply put, we believe it's the right solution at the right time. LoadSpring has been providing SaaS solutions since 1999. If you have questions about cost, deployment, hosting or available applications, please call us toll free at 877-562-3777. Or email info@loadspring.com.


LoadSpring Happenings

LoadSpring now hosts U.S. Cost's powerful
estimating software 


Let their "Success" help drive yours

Since 1991, U.S. Cost's Success Estimator software has been used by architects, engineers, construction managers, owners and government agencies worldwide. Its powerful, off-the-shelf functionality and customizable feature set make it the ideal solution for any organization with rigorous or unique estimating requirements.
 
A Sampling of Success Estimator's Features and Benefits

  • New Look-Up Tool-  Easily searches among thousands of cost items or assemblies using partial text based descriptions in seconds
  • New City Index Tool-  Increase the accuracy of your R.S. Means based projects by instantly applying the Means city index factors based on state, city and zip code. Adjust labor, equipment and material costs for all line items.
  • Parametric Cost Models- Success Estimator's powerful modeling capabilities allow companies to use their own specific legacy data and engineering algorithms to develop meaningful, accurate cost models.  
  • Centralized Cost Data- Use R.S. Means, Richardson's and your company's legacy cost data individually or in combination on any estimate thereby insuring the most accurate and up-to-date information is being used.
  • Assemblies- Generate estimates faster than ever before by utilizing one of the many R.S. Means Assemblies libraries or build unique custom assemblies with your company's legacy cost information.
  • Estimate Analysis- Compare actuals to estimates, variances across multiple projects or cost trends on commodities by using one of the numerous macros shipped as part of Success Estimator. 

Just one of many solutions
Success Estimator and many other powerful, Web-hosted applications are available from LoadSpring. For more information or to learn more about the benefits of SaaS, call toll free 877-562-3777. Or email your questions to info@loadspring.com.


Technical Tip: Password Security

Are you sure you're secure?

Prudent password management is one of the easiest, most effective methods of preventing unauthorized access to your Cam Console user account.  If you're still logging in with a single or overly simple password, consider using a "passphrase" instead. Like passwords, passphrases are also easily recalled but are inherently more difficult to hack.  For example, replace "Rover" with "My dogs n@me 1s Rover."  Simply adding a symbol and number improves account security exponentially and keeps thieves away from sensitive project data.


If you have an interesting story idea or Tech Tip, give us a call at 877-562-3777 or email us at info@loadspring.com.
We'd like to hear from you.

Sincerely,
 
Eric Leighton
LoadSpring Solutions, Inc.
President/CEO


Quick Links:
LoadSpring 1st Quarter Results

SaaS forecasted to growth to $19.3 billion by 2011 according
to Gartner.

Did You Know?
61% of CIOs at
North American
companies with
sales over $1
billion are already
planning to adopt
one or more SaaS
applications.

(source: McKinsey & Co. survey)
 
SaaS Benefits:
  • Low Risk -
    Low Cost
  • Low TCO
  • High Value
  • Simplicity
  • Scalability
More About SaaS Contact:
info@loadspring.com

LoadSpring Now Hosts U.S. Cost's Success Estimates

Password Security
is Essential
 

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