Pioneering SaaS In Business Process Optimization: Ariba’s Kevin Costello (Part 7)

SM: What are the plans for 2010 and beyond, now that the licensed-software-to-SaaS transformation is complete?

KC: Every other SaaS company out there has satisfied an existing business process. We are out to create an entirely new way of doing business. >>>

Pioneering SaaS In Business Process Optimization: Ariba’s Kevin Costello (Part 6)

SM: Is it safe to say that at this point Ariba is a reasonably well-situated SaaS company in the procurement management space?

KC: Clearly there were doubters, both internally and externally, when we first laid out our SaaS strategy. The results we’ve achieved in the past four years prove that we made the right decision and demonstrate that we are in fact very well positioned. >>>

1M/1M Strategy Roundtable For Entrepreneurs On Thursday, June 10, 2010

For entrepreneurs looking to discuss positioning, financing, and other aspects of a startup venture, Sramana Mitra will be holding a FREE online 1M/1M strategy roundtable on Thursday, June 10, 2010, starting at 8am PDT/11am EDT/8:30pm IST.  You can find more details and register here.  Please join us and let other entrepreneurs know!

Pioneering SaaS In Business Process Optimization: Ariba’s Kevin Costello (Part 5)

SM: How did your customers handle your move to SaaS?

KC: The customers bought the license and then went and implemented [the product]. It was almost up to them to be successful. Now, if the customer buys something it is still up to them to be successful, but it is really up to us to help them be successful. >>>

Catching Up On Readings: Saving Money Without Cutting Services

As the economy slowly recovers, state budgets are likely to continue to be strained, and states will continue to face difficult choices about which services to keep and which to cut or reduce. One of this week’s Deal Radar companies, nCourt, has come up with a solution for online traffic court payments and other legal services that allows local courts to administer their services more efficiently while collecting more money from traffic tickets. Click on the full article to read this series and the rest of this week’s posts. >>>

Pioneering SaaS In Business Process Optimization: Ariba’s Kevin Costello (Part 4)

SM: What was your revenue in 2002, and how was your ramp-up moving as you made your directional changes?

KC: In 2002 we did $229.8 million in revenue, the largest chunk of which was perpetual licensing. When we sold a $1 million or $2 million license it was recognized on our financial statement at that time. Our ongoing revenue stream was maintenance, and we had a small bit of services revenue. >>>

Pioneering SaaS In Business Process Optimization: Ariba’s Kevin Costello (Part 3)

SM: Did you have a supplier network as part of your product offering?

KC: We did, and that was a great piece. In 2002 our supplier network had about 25,000 suppliers on it. That supplier network continues to be a core piece of our business. >>>

June 3 Roundtable Recording

In case you missed it, here is the recording: