NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: MARK GIBBS ON WEB APPLICATIONS 09/20/04 Today's focus: Delivering sophisticated apps to SMBs
Dear [EMAIL PROTECTED], In this issue: * Smart Online SMB services * Links related to Web Applications * Featured reader resource _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by IBM Connect processes Make your entire enterprise more responsive, flexible and easy to manage--with IBM Process Integration solutions. See how in demos, case studies, more. http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=81498 _______________________________________________________________ DOWNLOAD THE LATEST SPECIAL REPORTS FROM NETWORK WORLD Focused reports on compelling industry topics, Network World Special Reports are available online at Network World Fusion. Network World Special Reports on Mobility, IP Telephony Security, the State of Wireless LANs and more are currently available. Download any or all of our Special Reports at: http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=81413 _______________________________________________________________ Today's focus: Delivering sophisticated apps to SMBs By Mark Gibbs An interesting consequence of application service providers is how they can deliver sophisticated products to smaller companies that would not normally have access to the applications or to such a wide range of offerings. The reasons are obvious: A small company can't afford to purchase all of the applications it might need and certainly can't afford the time and cost to learn how to install, configure, and run them let alone the staff to maintain them. What is also interesting is how ASPs focusing on the small and midsize business (SMB) market have expanded their offerings. The result is that an SMB can now expect to find products and services that will take them from cradle to profitability. One of the dominant ASPs in this market is Smart Online (see editorial links below), which has just announced a significant deal with publishers Inc.com and FastCompany.com. The deal makes Smart's Web-based applications available to the publishing companies' subscribers. Smart's offerings of "inspiration, competitive tools and practical resources" include researching and writing business plans, incorporating, preparing personnel policies, applying for loans, drafting leases for office space and equipment, and establishing retirement plans. Smart's products are impressive not only in the breadth of topics and services covered and how well they have been engineered but also in how well they have been marketed - a killer Web application can only become so with the right business development and sales strategies behind it. Subscription pricing of $30 per month includes Business Plan, Marketing Plan, Policy Manual, Government Forms, Business Forms, Business Letters, Job Description, Business Loan Application, Market Research, Landlord/Tenant Laws, Financial Calculators, Reference Library, Finance, Personnel & Legal Guides, and Expert Assistance. Individually the Business Plan is priced at $50, the Marketing Plan $80, the Policy Manual $100, Government Forms $10, Business Forms including Business Letters $30 per 30 days. Incorporation services start at $130 and a number of products are also available on CD ROM. RELATED EDITORIAL LINKS Smart Online http://www.smartonline.com/ Inc.com http://www.inc.com/ FastCompany.com http://www.fastcompany.com/ Smart's "Write a Professional Business Plan" http://www.smartonline.com/servlets/syngen/navigation/busplan_c/ Smart Online pricing http://www.smartonline.com/servlets/syngen/navigation/prices_c/ _______________________________________________________________ To contact: Mark Gibbs Mark Gibbs is a consultant, author, journalist, and columnist and he writes the weekly Backspin and Gearhead columns in Network World. We'll spare you the rest of the bio but if you want to know more, go to <http://www.gibbs.com/mgbio>. Contact him at <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by Alterpoint Read the latest analyst report on Network Change and Configuration Management (NCCM) written by EMA's Dennis Drogseth. This report discusses the latest developments in the NCCM market, including an in-depth look at DeviceAuthority Suite, a comprehensive solution for configuring, changing, and controlling today's complex, multi-vendor IT network infrastructures. Download the report today to learn how you can leverage NCCM to reduce the cost and complexity of managing network change. http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=81349 _______________________________________________________________ ARCHIVE LINKS Archive of the Web Applications newsletter: http://www.nwfusion.com/newsletters/web/index.html _______________________________________________________________ The Shifting Paradigm and Business Value of Effective IT Asset Management Today's IT organizations must evolve their asset management strategies to meet key objectives. Join our exclusive webcast, "Tackling the Business Challenge of IT Asset Management," to explore the asset management challenge. http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=81482 _______________________________________________________________ FEATURED READER RESOURCE ACCESS NW'S IN-DEPTH REPORT ON: BLADE SERVERS Available now is Network World's Technology Insider on: Blade Servers. Find out why early adopters of blade server technology say the benefits aren't science fiction, how blade servers differ by vendor, why blade servers are perfectly suited for today's data centers, review our extensive blade server buyer's guide and more. Click here: <http://www.nwfusion.com/nlwebapps614> _______________________________________________________________ May We Send You a Free Print Subscription? You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered at your fingertips each day. Now, extend your knowledge by receiving 51 FREE issues to our print publication. 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