Pricing Cloud Services

Everyone is talking about cloud computing and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) these days.  Almost every technology vendor has announced a cloud strategy – even the traditional software zealots.  But what do cloud computing and SaaS mean for product managers?  In a recent report, Forrester Research stated that “No member of the development effort faces greater change in moving into the SaaS world than the product manager.”  The functions performed by product managers do not necessarily change in a cloud computing world.  However, the approach to activities such as requirements gathering, marketing programs, pricing and contract terms can be different than with traditional IT.  Perhaps, the biggest change is in the area in pricing models.

Chris Anderson’s Book Free – Worth Every Penny!

Chris Anderson’s Free is a must read for anyone responsible for pricing, strategy or marketing in a corporation. I must admit that before reading the book I was skeptical of free. I have always viewed free as just a marketing gimmick that was transparent to most consumers. However, after reading Anderson’s explanations I have changed my perspective 180 degrees.