In 2010, SaaS purchases accounted for 7 percent of software purchases. But analysts at Forrester Research predict that number will increase to 16 percent by 2013. Here’s how SaaS will affect six key types of software:
- IT Management Applications: Service desk, IT asset management, and capacity planning software have already moved to SaaS, and security and network detection are moving that direction also.
- CRM Software and productivity applications: These applications work well on SaaS and many are available on that basis.
- ERP and Supply Chain Software: Very few use SaaS and few are likely to do so in the near future.
- Business Intelligence: These are difficult to shift to SaaS, but some are doing so.
- HR Software: SaaS is already becoming dominant.
- Platform and Middleware Solutions: SaaS hasn’t impacted these areas much, and isn’t likely to do so.
