tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154Mon, 02 Sep 2024 07:55:25 +0000software distributionbusiness modelscustomer relationship managementsoftwaresoftware businesssupply chain managementvirtual productsWhat does the software supply chain look like? What are the best practices for distributing software online? What do you need to do to compete profitably? I'm going to be asking these questions and hopefully finding answers over the next few months.http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)Blogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-7612080385426711738Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:44:00 +00002007-03-30T17:30:46.159+01:00customer relationship managementsoftware businesssoftware distributionsupply chain managementvirtual productsIt's about time I spoke about where I am with my research. It has been a tough journey but the research is beginning to take shape at last.My first section concentrates on the supply chain of physical products and what this means for organisations. What I argue is that supply chain management is based on the laws of physics, such as the law of conversion of mass, etc., and this in turn leads to http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2007/03/how-am-i-doing-with-my-research.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-7701017460442752712Thu, 08 Feb 2007 11:54:00 +00002007-02-08T12:25:57.982+00:00business modelssoftwaresoftware distributionThe following posting is informative, describing in a few paragraphs the way software business models have changes throughout the years.At one stage, software was not a product in its own right. It was part of the hardware. Then, it became separate from it, then bundling was introduced, then volume discounting, then licensing and network licenses. The next big change was free software and the http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2007/02/interesting-potted-history.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-116620641939582916Fri, 15 Dec 2006 18:13:00 +00002006-12-21T13:00:46.196+00:00I have just discovered the so-called "Long Tail" idea that particularly applies to digital content, but also physical content to some extent. It seems very interesting and is something I would like to dip into in more detail. Essentially, as I understand it, one of the big changes in the future is that consumers will be driven much more towards niche products than in the mass-market offerings http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/12/long-tail.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-116497655142298412Fri, 01 Dec 2006 12:23:00 +00002006-12-01T12:35:52.723+00:00Something else struck me from the IT@Cork conference. A big issue we all know about is the IT skills shortage. I've done supervisory work in the recent past with students, and I have seen the numbers dwindle alarmingly year on year, to the extent that I am not doing any work this year. The numbers of students are just too low to sustain external supervisors.And yet, this conference was one of thehttp://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/12/it-skills-shortage.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-116489108042516460Thu, 30 Nov 2006 11:49:00 +00002006-11-30T12:56:01.236+00:00I had a day out yesterday at the IT@Cork 2006 conference. It was extremely well organised and very well attended - over 250 guests. The speakers were very varied: we had bloggers, entrepreneurs, IT managers, salesmen and Eddie Hobbs give us their views on life, technology and the state of the Internet. I'm not going to go into the plusses and minues of the speakers at this time (I'm sure it will http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/11/itcork-conference.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-116457579646235571Sun, 26 Nov 2006 21:13:00 +00002006-11-26T21:16:36.883+00:00Here's an interesting story of the Norwegian hacker, Jon Lech Johansen, who has broken Apple's iPod code, potentially allowing Apple iTunes music to be played on any MP3 player - a big potential threat to Apple's business model.http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/11/hacker-who-broke-into-apples-ipod.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-116311117454456918Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:20:00 +00002006-11-30T12:55:09.343+00:00Here's an interesting posting from Phil Morettini regarding the use of copy protection in products. Essentially, copy protection was seen as "a bad thing" for quite a while, mainly due to the inflexibility of previous copy-protection solutions. Few customers liked them, so software companies factored piracy into their business models and managed accordingly. Now copy-protection, in the form of http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/11/software-copy-protection.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-115805869418756597Tue, 12 Sep 2006 10:50:00 +00002006-09-12T11:58:14.706+01:00EMusic, one of the world's largest online retailer sof independent music, have opened up a new European store that allows subscribers few restrictions on their downloading requirements. It's also a lot cheaper than iTunes. It's free music of a sort. The idea is that many subscribers won't use up their monthly download limits, a bit like how health centres or all-you-can eat buffets work.http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/09/advance-on-music-download-business.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-115764432830919070Thu, 07 Sep 2006 15:49:00 +00002006-09-07T16:52:08.706+01:00This article talks about some of the trends from a customer point of view regarding the whole issue of software license management. There appears to be a move away from per seat business models to subscription models. There are also a number of interesting graphs provided by Macrovision, one of the leaders in the software licensing business.http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/09/trends-in-software-licensing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-115756332456244997Wed, 06 Sep 2006 17:15:00 +00002006-09-06T18:22:04.896+01:00Wired have an article about how Sirius are moving into the Internet Radio field, and will play against the likes of Apple's iPod and Microsoft's Zune. Internet radio, currently dominated by podcasting, is a fast moving field in the world of digital distribution.http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/09/internet-radio-moves-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-115756162118294275Wed, 06 Sep 2006 16:52:00 +00002006-09-06T17:53:41.483+01:00A number of broadcasting companies have proposed new legislation to deal with the increasing trend to share and swap video material, often as a result of the rise in broadband video sharing from the likes of YouTube etc. As video increasingly becomes a resource that can be shared and distributed over the internet, the digital rights and piracy issues that are already such a headache for the musichttp://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/09/tougher-video-broadcasting-laws.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-115618072722862334Mon, 21 Aug 2006 17:16:00 +00002006-08-21T18:18:54.026+01:00The following article gives an overview of the current GPL debate that has polarised many people involved in open source software.http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/08/gpl-not-to-be-used-in-polite-company.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-115583005258029428Thu, 17 Aug 2006 15:52:00 +00002006-08-17T16:54:12.920+01:00I have the book. I haven't read it. I need to read it.In the mean-time. Here's a very readible introduction to the concept, and why its so important for software companies.http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/08/getting-across-chasm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-115582692443943466Thu, 17 Aug 2006 14:59:00 +00002006-08-17T16:02:04.893+01:00Here is an interesting article on the importance of the software business within IBM. IBM has recently acquired FileNet, MRO Software, and Webify solutions. It's the part of the company with the highest growth profile and biggest margins. Worth a look.http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/08/ibm-software-division-star-performer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-115313703412371332Mon, 17 Jul 2006 11:41:00 +00002006-07-17T12:54:28.573+01:00The following 3 links may be of use when researching issues in the software industry. Software Business Online "is focused exclusively on the software industry and provides industry leaders with twice monthly eNewsletters, an information packed website and two well attended conferences." SoftwareCEO.com "is the software industry's "Page One," with tips and tactics from best-practices software http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/07/some-useful-software-business-links.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-115313061592746199Mon, 17 Jul 2006 09:52:00 +00002006-07-17T11:03:36.136+01:00Digital distribution is a hot topic in the video game business these days. Video gaming has traditionally relied on getting games to market using CD-Rom formats and physical gaming devices. The attached article from GameDaily remarks that digital distribution will require a completely new skillset to ensure success. Investor Stuart Alsop says, "Even the word 'download,' it's a little like using http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/07/crisis-in-video-gaming.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-115278439642258432Thu, 13 Jul 2006 09:40:00 +00002006-07-13T10:53:16.646+01:00I've just downloaded a white-paper from KnowledgeStorm that identifies some best practices in the prevention of software piracy. Key issues discussed include the use of dongles, counter-measure systems, statistical piracy monitoring systems, embedding security into the software development process integrating licensing systems into an ERP or CRM, and even having a licensing strategy that is http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/07/preventing-software-piracy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-115269776112329469Wed, 12 Jul 2006 09:43:00 +00002006-07-12T10:49:21.380+01:00Microsoft are working with cinema companies on digital media distribution opportunities for the movie business. The following white paper outlines some of the benefits inherent in digital movie distribution, including security, quality and flexibility. A case study is also presented which outlines how a digital movie solution was implemented for BMW films in the US. Online movie distribution http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/07/digital-media-distribution.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-115244497150827374Sun, 09 Jul 2006 11:36:00 +00002006-07-09T12:36:11.776+01:00The BBC have a page that discusses issues to do with the digital world "in depth". Issues discussed include digital music, digital books, movie downloads, online games, P2P file sharing, podcasting, copy protection and digital rights, along with other legal issues. It's a useful resource, updated regularly, and I'm sure if I look I will find other sites like this.Digital supply chain managers http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/07/bbc-digital-world-page.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-115203104831674111Tue, 04 Jul 2006 16:20:00 +00002006-07-04T17:37:28.740+01:00This article provides some insight into the evolution of the "Volunteer" Open Source Movement into the "Commercial" Open Source Movement - a progression that the writer disagrees vehemently with. It gives some background to the changing times within the software industry at the moment. According to the writer, "open source is ending up less the revolution it was intended to be and more an http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/07/volunteer-vs-commercial-open-source.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-115102252627853480Fri, 23 Jun 2006 00:16:00 +00002006-06-23T01:28:46.416+01:00This book - "Marketing High Technology" comes highly recommended according to a blog entry I have been looking at just now. It talks about "how to give products a soul" and how to best use available channels to market technology.http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/06/another-book-reference.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-115102108682770343Fri, 23 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +00002006-06-23T01:04:46.956+01:00Here's an interesting blog entry about how a small company managed to get their software package onto the shelves of retail stores and what decisions needed to be made regarding pricing, manufacturing, branding, marketing and software support.http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/06/getting-software-into-retail-stores.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-115093221500359147Wed, 21 Jun 2006 23:04:00 +00002006-06-22T00:23:35.266+01:00I've just (somewhat accidentally) downloaded a free PDF from the Novell website (through ZDNet) that provides some advice and best practices for managers and technicians who are charged with packaging and delivering software internally in organisations. It discusses things such as the Windows Installer Service, the PASS model for software distribution, software lifecycle management, license http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/06/software-packaging-white-paper.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-115032518419557782Wed, 14 Jun 2006 22:31:00 +00002006-06-14T23:47:57.393+01:00A while back, Skype, the VoIP telephony company was bought by Ebay - two very different companies employing very different business models. Skype enables users around the world to talk to each other for free, and it has proved a huge success. At time of writing, 4 million users are logged on to the service. The difficulty is the "free" bit - how does Skype make money from this? Now Ebay is http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/06/skype-and-ebay.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21753154.post-114968808835038340Wed, 07 Jun 2006 13:47:00 +00002006-06-07T14:48:08.630+01:00I'm reading an article from the Harvard Business Review entitled "Turn Customer Input into Innovation" (Anthony W. Ulwick, HBR 2002) - it's in my Marketing course notes - where he addresses the question of turning customer requests into products that will be successful in the market. His thesis is that many companies go about the customer information gathering experience wrongly, often charging http://wpsoftdist.blogspot.com/2006/06/giving-customers-what-they-need.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Colm Ryan)0