Trends Report

Should Midsize Software Vendors Sell Raw Web 2.0?

The Path To Value Means Adding Web 2.0 Functionality To Your Core Product

May 1st, 2008
GY
G. Oliver Young
With contributors:
Heidi Shey , Madiha Ashour , Ellen Daley

Summary

Web 2.0 is coming to the enterprise in a big way over the next several years. All the excitement has vendor strategists at midsize software firms eyeing the Web 2.0 market longingly. Unfortunately for them, few midsize software vendors will make money selling raw Web 2.0 functionality — i.e., functionality devoted to enabling Web 2.0 directly, such as RSS, wikis, and mashup platforms. Why? Because that will likely be the domain of collaboration platforms like those from IBM and Microsoft or a few small pure-play Web 2.0 vendors that survive the shakeout. Despite this setback, cagey vendor strategists will still make money with Web 2.0. How? By integrating Web 2.0 functionality to enhance existing apps, drive user and license growth, and ultimately create stickier products.

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