Surefire Ways to Fail as a Cloud Provider

SaasGrid ppt on what to avoid when offering SaaS solutions.

Jesse Kliza of SaaSGrid, shares a PowerPoint presentation titled, “How to Fail Miserably as a Cloud Software Provider” at Slideshare.net. In this presentation, Kliza defines a cloud software company as one that:

• Writes software and delivers functionality online.
• Takes on customer’s operational burdens.
• Proves themselves regularly since the sale is perpetual

Failure is certain for this type of company, according to Kliza, if it:

• Fails to understand what is really happening within the company.
• Is unreliable (poor support, unplanned downtime, poor communication).
• Offers low adoptability (makes it tough for customers to use the software).
• Dismisses the importance of margins.
• Does not keep pace with change (build once, sell always mentality).

Kliza breaks down each of these failure points and explains specific business actions that affect each in the full 20-page presentation (link below).

If you are a start-up software company, take heed of Kliza’s conclusions. He suggests that you keep a keen eye on required culture shifts, spend what is required on technology, and treat customers as relationships.