My group at IDC, Software Business Solutions, is co-sponsoring a process to identify the Top Ten innovators in one of three markets, applications (my group), application development and deployment and information access. We are inviting qualifying independent software vendors to participate in the first-ever "Innovative Top 10" ranking which will be published by IDC. We will examine how small and medium vendors are leveraging innovative business models around key trends to survive and thrive in a time of economic uncertainty.
Benefits to Participants:
• IDC will issue a press release for each of the three market areas listing the "Innovative Top 10" companies exemplifying trend innovation.
• IDC will publish a document featuring each of these three "Innovative Top 10" lists which will be accessible/viewed by IDC clients subscribing to a related software program.
• "Innovative Top 10" companies can issue their own press release announcing their inclusion in this high profile IDC ranking.
• Companies completing the survey will be considered for publication in IDC's Private Vendor Watch program which provides profiles of emerging private IT companies, their corporate strategies, technologies, and partners. (Note: additional survey follow-up may be needed to complete this profile)
There are different criteria for each of the three market areas, here are the ones for applications:
APPLICATIONS SURVEY CRITERIA
- Companies must have revenue between $5 million and $100 million for the trailing 12 month period
Companies must also meet one or more of the following criteria:
- An ISV generating at least 50% of total revenue from an application built and deployed on platform as a service (PaaS)
- At least 50% of total revenue from software as a service (SaaS) applications
- At least 50% of total revenue generated from open source software (OSS) or services around OSS
- Substantial revenue from one or a combination of:
* Enterprise 2.0 solution
* Social CRM solution
* Partner 2.0 / Social PRM solution
APPLICATIONS TOP TRENDS
This ranking will take into account the key trends listed below. Respondents will be asked to explain how their organization is addressing one or more of these opportunities in an innovative way and explain the resulting impact.
1.) Acceleration of SaaS, BPO and open source over traditional on-premise software.
2.) New business models for software use by service providers (software-within-a-service).
3.) Web 2.0-like functionality moves into the enterprise (e2.0).
To Participate
To learn more about the survey criteria, top trends and to access the web form visit this page.
Methodology and Judging Process
1. A group panel consisting of key analysts in each area (software applications, application development and
deployment, and information access) will review all submissions and narrow them to the top 20 for their
area.
2. An executive panel will then review the top 20 for each area and select the final "Innovative Top 10"
emerging players for software applications, application development and deployment and information
access.
Schedule:
• Survey Responses Due: April 30, 2009
• Judging Completed: May, 2009
• Rankings Announced: June, 2009
• IDC "Innovative Top 10" Documents Published: July, 2009
Note: This schedule is subject to change
Good luck!!


