I was recently asked the question, "what is the best pricing model for a SaaS provider?".

As the co-founder of an 11 year old SaaS project management software company I felt I had some insight.

First of all let me say this.  This question has 2 very different answers when you consider "what's best for the customer?" or "what's best for the offering company?
 

 
Wildflower International, a leading provider of information technology to the U.S. Federal Government, announced the selection and successful implementation of the SaaS project portfolio management software VPMi version 4.5. Wildflower is deeply committed to the issues of security, collaboration, and customer service and the VPMi allowed them a world class platform to deliver on that promise with U.S. Federal Government contracts.
 

 
Seems like a waste of time - right?  Find out what is in it for VCSonline - but more importantly - what's in it for our fans and the people looking for a simple, sensible, and secure alternative to expensive and convoluted project portfolio management software.
 

I was recently asked, “How do you communicate the "value" of your service/product/work to your client/boss?”   So here is my no fail 4 step plan to communicating your value to your boss, manager, or client.
 

VCSonline has announced the immediate availability of their project management software-as-a-service (SaaS) VPMi version 4.5.  VPMi 4.5 adds web-based Microsoft Project integration, the ability to manage an entire plan in a spreadsheet view, and the ability to build reports and share them with other VPMi users - or export them to Microsoft Word or Excel.

I was recently asked the question, “Can we Trust SaaS (Software as a Service) firms on Security?” and offered up a surprising answer.

Bottom line: “No – you absolutely positively can NOT trust a SaaS provider with security.”

Now let me explain through a personal example...

 

SEATLE - In a bold move to improve Windows security, Microsoft is donating free copies of Microsoft Project Server to the hacker community.  The move is an effort to confuse hackers, prohibit collaboration, and basically slow development down to a complete stop.

VCSonline reports 30% growth in SaaS project management software - VPMi ahead of the largest new release in 5 years: VPMi v4.5.

The Boston Marathon. 

Universally accepted as the premier distance course in the world and equally accepted as the pinnacle for any running career.  It is something most runners (secretly or openly) covet when they think of their running goals.  Last year I ran Chicago in 3 hours 48 minutes so thinking I could run a 3:20 marathon was a little more fantasy then reality. 

Only very close friends and family knew how badly I wanted to reach this goal and how prepared I was to spectacularly fail trying!  Here is my marathon story...

 
I believe resource, portfolio, and project management is going to continue to see decent growth in 2009 based on our CIO contacts and industry metrics.  SaaS will make up the vast majority of this growth as traditional enterprise players rush SaaS versions out the door and established players continue to target the SMB market.

However – VCSonline new customers sign-ups has exploded.  We are seeing an over 200% increase in new SaaS customers in the last 6 months, far outpacing even the industry darlings like Daptiv, Innotas, and @Task.

I will share something as to why I believe we are growing, hiring, and far outpacing the industry while competitors like Daptiv go through massive layoffs.