Statistics we pulled from the article:

• IDC projected a 36% worldwide growth in 2009. The number was revised upward to 40.5% as a result of the recession.
• Gartner expects SaaS revenue to total $7.5B in 2009, nearly 18% higher than 2008. By 2013, SaaS spending will hit $14B.
• Computerworld study reported that 42% of survey respondents reported using SaaS in their organizations.

Impressive growth forecasts, but we need to be clear what is being forecast. The definition of SaaS means different things to different people. For example, the article describes several SaaS applications, then adds “even Schumcher’s PeopleSoft applications, including all financial software, run as a managed set of services.”

Is (PeopleSoft running in a managed environment) = (SaaS application)? In our opinion, no.

What is a Hosted Application versus a SaaS application?

The table below describes some of the characteristics which differentiate a SaaS offering from a hosted offerings.

Many other characteristics are the same. Both require Internet access. Both can be web-based or require client software. Many SaaS applications can now be customized to nearly the same extent as licensed applications.