Search Google for "SaaS platform" and the results are slim for actual platform products designed to make your app installed on-demand. One of the first
products listed is "Force.com" from Salesforce.com. Is there really an
alternative? There is now.
That is why Etelos came out with the Etelos Platform Suite. There is a market out there for Etelos, and others agree. Our focus is to enable the distribution of Web apps, not sell our own. We want to help you enable partner ecosystem. We are focused on being easy and fast. But most important, we want to help you make money.
Salesforce has built a very successful business with a SaaS CRM -- the "No Software" model hit the market need dead-on for SMB and has grown to embrace the enterprise. From this success, they did what all successful software companies do (and yes, they are a software company), they used partners to extend their markets.
They did this by building an API and making partners write to it. The partners gain by getting access to the Salesforce customer base and infrastructure, while Salesforce gains by acquiring new legions of "sales" people touting Salesforce and filling gaps in their solution. they also get lock-in from their partners - it make it harder to move your app when it is written to a specific API.
While Force.com describes themselves as fast, and I am sure they are. But if building apps quickly is your only business need then there are lots of those tools on the market for that. If you need to migrate an existing app then
If you think that by building you app on Force.com will instantly generate you revenue -- think again. Your market is limited to those with Salesforce.com accounts and don't expect Salesforce to sell your app for you unless they see it in their own best interest. And don't even think about trying to compete with them.
Remember, you are joining a closed ecosystem (and this is true for any vendor with an API). If your solution needs a CRM at the core or you are targeted their installed base, then Force.com is a good fit. But by joining their ecosystem you are limiting your ability to create your own partner ecosystem. Maybe you have your own CRM-like product that can leverage a large partner network. Etelos can provide that buy both enabling your's and your partner's app for Web distribution as well as provide a marketplace where they can be installed together.
So, when should you use Etelos over SalesForce?
That is why Etelos came out with the Etelos Platform Suite. There is a market out there for Etelos, and others agree. Our focus is to enable the distribution of Web apps, not sell our own. We want to help you enable partner ecosystem. We are focused on being easy and fast. But most important, we want to help you make money.
Salesforce has built a very successful business with a SaaS CRM -- the "No Software" model hit the market need dead-on for SMB and has grown to embrace the enterprise. From this success, they did what all successful software companies do (and yes, they are a software company), they used partners to extend their markets.
They did this by building an API and making partners write to it. The partners gain by getting access to the Salesforce customer base and infrastructure, while Salesforce gains by acquiring new legions of "sales" people touting Salesforce and filling gaps in their solution. they also get lock-in from their partners - it make it harder to move your app when it is written to a specific API.
While Force.com describes themselves as fast, and I am sure they are. But if building apps quickly is your only business need then there are lots of those tools on the market for that. If you need to migrate an existing app then
If you think that by building you app on Force.com will instantly generate you revenue -- think again. Your market is limited to those with Salesforce.com accounts and don't expect Salesforce to sell your app for you unless they see it in their own best interest. And don't even think about trying to compete with them.
Remember, you are joining a closed ecosystem (and this is true for any vendor with an API). If your solution needs a CRM at the core or you are targeted their installed base, then Force.com is a good fit. But by joining their ecosystem you are limiting your ability to create your own partner ecosystem. Maybe you have your own CRM-like product that can leverage a large partner network. Etelos can provide that buy both enabling your's and your partner's app for Web distribution as well as provide a marketplace where they can be installed together.
So, when should you use Etelos over SalesForce?
- When you do not want to re-write your code;
- When you want build your own ecosystem of partners;
- When you need your own marketplace to exchange apps for real money;
- When you use frameworks and technology that support your way;
- When you do not want "my way or the highway" as the basis of a business relationship;
- When you need tools that help you sell and collect the money;
- When you need to make it happen NOW;
- When you want your app syndicated into other ecosystems; and
- When you not want to restrict who you can sell to.