ASP versus SaaS: What?

I love what I do for a living and after many years of ERP, CRM, HRMS….I am consistently happy about new non-enterprise software. The technology that is so far removed, yet impacts my (our) everyday life is amazing—Atheros, Intel, Wind River, Devicescape—or the technology that is so close and familiar like Facebook, MySpace and "Apple" (I need to put Apple in quotes b/c it is super cool technology but closed, expensive and exclusive—in branding), Slacker and more are for the consumer and the benefit of the masses.

At the end of the day, be it the enterprise consumer (yes there is the CTO…COO…that wants to drive economies of scale and cost reduction down), or the traditional consumer…it is all about making life easy with technology.

While I am writing about random enterprise and non-enterprise software, my original thought was ASP versus SaaS.

As a PR person I consistently remember ASP (so long ago, but just blogging about it now). Yet, ASP and SasS are the same thing, but ASP is the original “category” defined by some individual that is now gone. Why did SaaS take off over the ASP? I don’t mean to appear questionable, but as an individual in the industry….I literally hear one thing and think…wasn’t it that other thing just a few year ago and aren't they the same thing? Was the branding for SaaS that good? I am impressed by category creation. I know the ASP/SaaS argument has been had…but I sill tend to thing: WOW…the power of thought, category and a solid budget.

The definitions from Wikipedia are below…

An application service provider (ASP) is a business that provides computer-based services to customers over a network. Software offered using an ASP model is also sometimes called On-demand software or software as a service (SaaS). The most limited sense of this business is that of providing access to a particular application program (such as medical billing) using a standard protocol such as HTTP.

Software as a service (SaaS, typically pronounced 'Sass') is a model of software deployment where an application is hosted as a service provided to customers across the Internet. By eliminating the need to install and run the application on the customer's own computer, SaaS alleviates the customer's burden of software maintenance, ongoing operation, and support.

Universal Wi-Fi/Internet Access - New York Times FON Profile

This weekend I read the New York Times story by John Markoff, “Global Dreams for a

Wireless Web,” which is a very large profile on the company FON. While the story focuses on FON, it basically is about the CEO's vision to get people Internet access. I personally am a huge believer in ubiquitous Wi-Fi access and I am consistently surprised that my city, San Francisco, still does not have universal Wi-Fi.

With the thousands of Comcast cable boxes and Linksys routers…if we were to just open it up and allow people access…this city (as well as other major metropolitan cities) would be Wi-Fi enabled. Yes, I know there are security risks…but with the many amazing brains in Silicon Valley (let a lone the world) I am sure we could figure something out.

So, here is my crazy concept:

What if people just didn’t security enable their Linksys or any other type of Wi-Fi router in their home?

What if neighborhoods bonded together to create Wi-Fi towers—much like how there are cell towers around the city (world) due to operators, we could just open up hot spots in our neighborhoods? We could bypass the bureaucracy of the big boys and the city superintendents and do it ourselves. Now, that would be great. I live in Cole Valley, the dwellings of Craig from Craigsligt. Maybe we could get him to help sponsor a grassroots neighborhood initiative for Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi access, 27/7 immediate Internet. That would be great. I am already doing a bit of my part by not locking my router. Maybe, I need to take it one step farther.

On another note, there are so many interesting start-ups that have a similar vision to FON. I remember going to DEMO in 2007 with my client Devicescape and FON announced their company and vision along with Whisher. All these companies have something very similar within their visions:

Getting people on the Internet (Access)
Free, ubiquitous Internet (Availability Everywhere)
Internet, Internet, Internet to the masses

While FON and Meraki (another super cool company with a Free The Net concept) are about getting people Internet, Devicescape is all about access from any device. Beyond handsets or lap tops, their vision is Wi-Fi access from any device, anywhere, anytime. Imagine, a digital camera with built in Wi-Fi so when you take those photos…you can send them immediately versus tethering up to your PC as a conduit. Imagine bypassing expensive cell lines and offloading to Wi-Fi. Now, imagine more Wi-Fi so we can really live this dream.

I would like to see FON, Meraki, Boingo and Devicescape all work together in lock-step to help consumers like me get more access to the Internet so I can enjoy the services from the Internet.
Ok..my two cents as am a Wi-Fi junkie in full support of these companies. And, a independent thinker/worker who needs more Internet cafes, parks and the like.

San Francisco Still Going

As I continue to build my business and network, I go to many events and outings in San Francisco/Silicon Valley. Last week, Wednesday, I hit hot spot Americana and it was busy. Most likely the fact that San Francisco was sunny and 90 degrees is part of this reason, but wow...I couldn't get over the amount of techies. Coming off the heals of the New Tech Group the night before, I just couldn't help to think, "wow, this city is amazing, beautiful, powerful and still going." I am incredibly proud to be part of this fabric.

As the recession looms forward and politics are at play, I look forward to seeing what will happen in this vibrant city filled with innovation and thought. I could also report on Microsoft and a few other cool announcements, but I really just wanted to salute this place—go San Francisco.

SF New Tech Meet Up - My First Time

So for the first time ever, I went to the SF tech meet up where they also show betas...I have to say I enjoyed it. Not only was it good networking, there were some interesting companies that provided the audience with a demo and some food for thought.

As I am a woman I should not like this site, but I like Zivity (http://www.zivity.com/). I am probably being naive as my passion in the day was art (BA in art history from Cal), but I really would like to approach the site as a portal for photo sharing and revenue for the photographer and artist. Yes, there are some nudes, but nudes are also art - think of David. The woman providing the presentation was having a bit of a hard time, but I would like to salute her for having the gumption to go on stage. This site will most likely make a killing because as we all know – sex is a money maker. Plus, the subscription based business model will work. For only $10 I know many men and women that will pay to see tasteful, yet seductive photos.

I love the wine concept on the iPhone. As a wine enthusiast, I can very much appreciate it. He never clearly defined his business model, but what does he care – they can be picked up by wine spectator magazine or a content provider type as a nice service for clients.

While the above two companies remind me of the 1999 .com or bomb companies…Ribbit to me appeared like it can be a true disruptive force. Developers love the open source and open platforms…with Ribbit you can have “unified communications” sans Cisco.

Well…I will continue to attend these events, listen, learn and network. I love San Francisco and the Valley…I am so happy to be part of these 21st Century “Belle Opaque” salons.

Apple versus Microsoft and Google versus Yahoo

Now, I hope I don’t lose respect from friends and colleagues for what I am about to write. And, I can’t believe I am even writing this after my experience with Vista, as it has not been great. But, here it is—I don’t like Apple. I actually think I might not like Steve Jobs.

Yes, the products are gorgeous, designs are hip, sexy, cool. Every good looking man and
attractive woman has an iPhone. It is like to be cool one must have an iPhone. But, they are expensive. And the technology is totally closed. I really hate the commercials too. I am officially starting to feel sorry for Microsoft. Yes, I feel sorry for Microsoft. And, those commercials have made me not like Apple even more and really not like Steve Jobs.

Ok…Google versus Yahoo. I don’t like Google either. I am like the anti-Christ. I am a woman in technology here in San Francisco and I am writing blasphemies. Everyone loves Apple and Google and I prefer Microsoft and Yahoo. So…after this week to witness the possible merger (or shall I write acquisition) between Microsoft and Yahoo is almost funny. Two companies that for some reason I now have a soft spot in my heart. I think I would like to see a merger/acquisition. But, the merger didn’t go threw and the two companies still stand. And, while they might not be Apple and Google, I have faith in the companies. I do wish that Yahoo could reclaim its status, but the Google giant is strong.

Not just work, a bit of personal too

May 1, 2008

My overall trip has been very insightful. While, yes…I did a lot of work and met with amazing companies…my blog can’t just be about work. I need to blend a bit of personal and general observations. First observation…in comparison to U.S. cities where I feel I never see babies….wow…so many people in Amsterdam have babies. Maybe it is just because they are not in a car tired down in the seatbelt, but out and about with their parents on bicycles so you literally, physically see them. I must say—I like it. A population of people that work, play, create families and go out on the city streets.

Another observation…people of all ages go out. I feel like in San Francisco, one only sees the 20 or 30 something crowd. While in Dublin, the cutest group of lady friends (I say in their 50s) were out on a Thursday night having cocktails. Yes the 50 something woman right next to the 20 something woman. And, the same goes for men. I am not saying that people are cloistered in their home in the US, I am just saying I se more ages mixing in mingling in the same places.

While this trip has been predominately work, yesterday I did enjoy Queen’s Day. It was wonderful. First – what is Queens Day? It started as a day when the Queen lifted all tariffs from goods. And, people could sell anything without a license. So, in essence, we are talking about a giant flea market or garage sale. Now, in modern day, keep the garage sale, but add in thousands of people from all over Europe landing on the city of Amsterdam for a fun, hedonistic day of partying, dancing and running around—DJs on every street corner, canals filled with party boats—young, old and the like as well as different—parading the canal. It was amazing…

With a name like Shanahan--Dublin a Must

April 26, 2008

I arrived in Dublin a few days ago. This is a blend of a business and a personal trip. With a name like Kathleen Shanahan I had to uncover the roots of my father’s past. Plus, I know a lot of Irish folks so if I am all the way over here…it would have been a shame not to come and say hello. I had a PR meeting on Friday morning. Very kind and smart Irish woman. I have three meetings on Monday…I look forward to learning about this marketplace.

How I got to BOCA?

April 23, 2008

I think I have been preparing for what I am doing my entire life. While I love being American and I am proud of my country (regardless of the politics, real estate down turn, devaluation of the dollar), I’ve also always enjoyed different cultures, countries, ethnicities and people from around the world in general. Since I was a little girl my eye always saw beyond boarders and past major bodies of sea. Maybe it starts with the fact that I am partly a first generation American—mother is an Italian Argentine and my Dad is an American Irishman that still thinks he really is an Irishman—maybe it is the fact that I grew up bilingual while all my other friends spoke only English or maybe it is the fact that I just really enjoy meeting people from around this amazing world…who knows…but my experience brought me to where I am today and what I do today.

For almost 15 years now I’ve been providing marketing and PR consulting services. I’ve been all over the board…I’ve represented Silicon Valley start-ups, major telecom carriers, enterprise software companies (more in the 90s though), wi-fi software providers, gadget companies and so on and so on. I will say that my personal passion is in the next generation enabling technologies that are transforming the way people communicate. Be it a wi-fi software, software for the telecos space, a consumer device and etc…my heart officially left enterprise software and moved to the human.

I know most people wouldn’t consider telecom software of interest…but it is how we’ve traditionally communicated. Now…throw in the video and voice applications (the companies that make those applications) as well as the devices that run those applications…now we are talking…some cool stuff. I think this started at Wind River…a very interesting company that is so deep dark in the tech…no normal lay person will know the brand. But this is the company that provides the embedded software that sits in a consumer electronics device, a set top box, a robot, an anti-break system….the stuff that touches humans every day. This is the company where I started to incubate my future dream and future marketing communications agency.

While at Wind River, I not only figured out how to humanize the technology (Alissa…you are amazing and I could have never done it without you), but I also oversaw all corporate communications at a global level. I worked with strong PR agencies in the U.S…but I also worked with amazing agencies across Europe…I loved the international aspect to the job. I loved learning how the agencies would strategize a launch…learning what works in the US versus Japan, Italy, France, the UK, Germany…sometimes the same…but also very different. It was hear I thought…while I always want to work with cool Silicon Valley start-ups and tech companies across the US…I also thought…how great would it be to create a US based agency that caters to a non-US technology community. Yes, the US is amazing…we have venture capital, controversial bloggers and solid next generation technology….but the US is not alone in this. There is a market outside the US…cool start-ups…next generation technology, forums trying to create telecom and femoto cell standardization…and all these companies also need a way to express their ideas, thoughts, products, compatibilities in general with the US marketplace.

In steps BOCA Communications.

Yes, the URL I bought years ago has officially become a company. I LLCd in November and started with some great Silicon Valley companies as my (BOCA’s) first clients ever.

Thank you to Devicescape (awesome wi-fi software that is an enabler of next generation services to devices) to Narus (very interesting software company that sells security, intercept and traffic management solutions to service providers – hence the love of telecom – and governments) for helping me establish a real company with interesting clients in spaces I personally love.

Now…I thought…what are BOCA’s strategic next steps? BOCA needed to learn, understand and bridge relationships with software and PR communities outside the US. So…I went on a personal fact finding, primary information gathering mission across the UK, Ireland and Amsterdam (coming soon will be Germany and Sweden…eventually Bangalore). I needed to learn…what are agencies doing here…is all their growth from US based companies that need PR abroad…or is there a small niche of sexy, cool and traditional tech companies (European based) that might need strategic help and solid execution in the US. Furthermore….BOCA clients need UK and Pan-EMEA support. As a strategic partner to my clients I need to guide these companies in the right direction. Sure…I can go word of mouth…or I can come and learn on my own. That is nothing like continuous learning and personal growth.

I just finished the first stint of my UK experience…I met with seven of the top technology agencies in the US. Some of the firms have offices only in the London area (but provide a network of other firms across Europe, therefore the best-of-breed approach) and others with real, living, breathing organically grown offices in Spain, Italy, Germany, France and Belgium. What an amazingly fantastic experience! I officially can say I am an expert (or an emerging expert) on UK PR capabilities.