The advent of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS, typically pronounced 'Sass') is making the emergence of a completely new type of business opportunity possible for entrepreneurs: the Micro-SaaS. A Micro-SaaS is a software organization, usually run by a single person, that delivers a service over the Internet to address a niche market that has a relatively limited number of potential users. The service is basically a packaging of valuable knowledge that is sold over the Internet. It can take the form of an evaluation, diagnosis or analysis based on information entered into the system, or the provision of a methodology to help accomplish a specific goal, or access to a database of valuable and hard to come by information.
Why now? There are two factors that make this possible: firstly, the advent of complete computing platforms that eliminate of the need to procure, implement and support hardware and software, thereby making the deployment of software much less costly and time-consuming; and secondly, the emergence of powerful new application development environments built into these platforms that dramatically speed up software development, thereby significantly reducing the cost of developing, maintaining, customizing and enhancing the software.
These are early days for the Micro-SaaS. But as cloud computing continues to grow, the Micro-SaaS promises to be a fertile new opportunity for any budding entrepreneur.
MySaaSBiz is a new organization that provides anyone wanting to start a SaaS business with everything they need - from idea validation through software development and marketing.
DIY Software-as-a-Service Businesses
Micro-SaaS
Trend Themes
1. Micro-saas - The emergence of Micro-SaaS presents an opportunity for single-person software companies to address niche markets with valuable knowledge sold over the Internet.
2. Software Deployment Platforms - The advent of complete computing platforms has eliminated the need to procure, implement and support hardware and software, thereby making the deployment of software much less costly and time-consuming.
3. Powerful Application Development Environments - The emergence of powerful new application development environments built into platforms significantly reduce the cost of developing, maintaining, customizing, and enhancing software.
Industry Implications
1. Cloud Computing - Cloud computing services can provide platforms for the development and deployment of Micro-SaaS businesses.
2. Software Development - Micro-SaaS presents a new opportunity for small software development firms to create niche market software.
3. Entrepreneurship - The emergence of Micro-SaaS presents a new entrepreneurship opportunity for those with niche knowledge and expertise to create valuable software products that can address hard-to-reach markets.