Rapid SaaS Development Alternatives

When considering the application development aspects of building a SaaS business, independent software companies (ISV) have, as always, many options. They can use a Platform as a Service (Paas) to build their applications, which is a good and quick SaaS development solution for simple applications where the ISV is not concerned about 100% flexibility. Another alternative would be to leverage open source development platforms such as in a Java environment, which would allow for complete customization but would require more resources and for agreater length of time. The hosting options vary as well as companies such as Savvis and OpSource offer application management services beyond simple hosting facilities.

The decision to use a PaaS of build custom applications should depend on a few variables:
1. Who is your target market - Is it the SFDC clientelle? If so, you should consider developing on the force.com platform.
http://www.salesforce.com/platform/application-development/

2. Is time to market more important than customization and fleixbility? If so, you could consider platforms such as Corent, Servoy, Parallels, etc.
http://www.parallels.com/news/id,12436
http://www.corenttech.com/
http://www.dbflex.net/?gclid=CKTs1Lbln5cCFQquGgodUhRwSA

3. Will you develop in house or work with an outsourced product development company that specializes in SaaS product development?
http://www.sciodev.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49&Itemid=139

4. Do you have the SaaS business expertise in house or will you work with a consultant?
http://www.thinkstrategies.com/
http://www.sciodev.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=128

Obviously there are a plothera of SaaS Blogs to help product managers determine their technology and business options.
http://www.saas-development.com/what-is-saas/
http://buildingsaas.typepad.com/blog/development_processes/index.html
http://www.saasblogs.com/2007/01/25/it-costs-more-to-be-a-saas-company-how-platforms-may-fix-that/

Conclusions: You draw your own.