Product Review

Cloud computing in general and Software as a Service in particular are wreaking havoc in the business models of established and technology companies alike. This case study looks at the preeminent provider of Software as a Service – Salesforce.com. The case study describes the evolution of the company from a San Francisco startup to a major platform and enterprise software provider. It enables an analysis of Software as a Service business models vis-à-vis the traditional on-premises enterprise software business model as well as an exploration of growth options and future of enterprise computing. A companion note, Cloud Computing: An Introduction, provides background on cloud computing, its origins and its business applications.