SaaS as a Business Solution Receives Accolades From CIOs at 3rd Annual SaaScon

A record number of IT executives converged at Computerworld's Software-as-a-Service Conference (SaaScon) in Santa Clara on March 24-26 to share best practices and expertise about implementing SaaS solutions into their businesses. CIOs who spoke at SaaScon agreed that the SaaS model continues to gain market momentum, demonstrating greater value and increased functionality for their growing IT management needs.

IT executives from a number of different of industries discussed their experiences in implementing SaaS solutions, emphasizing how to overcome customization and integration hurdles, the cost vs. the risk, and the security challenges of SaaS adoption. Consistent among the executives, lower investments in software, faster time to deployment and the ability to focus IT resources on core business objectives were among the key benefits of implementing SaaS solutions. Most CIOs agreed that the SaaS model will continue to permeate the enterprise and is quickly becoming a cost effective tool that allows their organizations to deliver services faster and reach more customers.

"SaaScon was a huge success this year as evidenced by not only the record number of attendees but the caliber of the keynote speakers, session presenters and sponsors," said Ron Milton, executive vice president of Computerworld. "SaaScon is the one venue that provided real-world case study examples across a broad spectrum of industries and compelling SaaS implementations now, and in the future."

"SaaScon provided me the opportunity to share information and best practices with my peers. We were very excited to learn more about the benefits of SaaS and how new methods in application delivery are changing the way we use technology," said Basil Blume, vice president and CIO, Colorado Capital Bank.

SaaS providers also had the opportunity to showcase their latest offerings, network with partners and ISVs, and educate end-users on how to incorporate Software-as-a-Service into their business environments.

"SaaScon does an excellent job of bringing together the best providers and the end users to share experiences and address the issues around SaaS adoption. It's a valuable venue for IBM to connect our SaaS partners with potential customers and ensure our strategies reflect the needs of the IT buyers who are increasingly embracing SaaS," commented Dave Mitchell, IBM program director, SaaS.

"SaaScon is more than just a great event -- Absolute Performance has made strategic connections with a number of companies that have expanded our partner ecosystem. SaaScon is a must for professionals that need to know the state of the SaaS industry," said Mitchell Ashley, CTO of Absolute Performance, Inc.

About SaaScon

SaaScon is the premier event for Business Services technologies and is designed for business and technical professionals seeking to learn about the latest offerings from providers and how to incorporate Software-as-a-Service into their business environments.

The theme for SaaScon 2008 was "Seizing the Value in Business Services!" Attendees heard presentations from world-class IT executives and learned how CIOs and their teams exploit SOA, Web 2.0 and Business Services. Topic areas included: Moving Mission-Critical Applications to the Business Services Model; Measuring Success, Embracing Best Practices and Avoiding Pitfalls; Understanding a Delivery Model in Transition; Balancing Risk and Reward; and Securing Data You Don't Control.

For more information, please visit http://www.saascon.com .

About Computerworld

Computerworld is the leading source of technology news and information for IT influencers worldwide. Computerworld's award-winning Web site ( www.computerworld.com ), weekly publication, focused conference series and custom research form the hub of the world's largest (40 edition) global IT media network. In the past five years alone, Computerworld has won more than 100 awards, including Folio Magazine's 2006 Gold EDDIE Award for the best technology/computing magazine, the 2004 and 2006 Magazine of the Year Award, and 2006 Best Overall Web Publication from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE). In addition, in 2007 Computerworld's then editor in chief, Don Tennant, received the prestigious Timothy White Award from American Business Media. Computerworld leads the industry with an online audience of over 2 million unique, monthly visitors and a print audience of 1,222,000 readers each week (IntelliQuest CIMS Spring 2007).

About International Data Group (IDG)

International Data Group (IDG) is the world's leading technology media, events, and research company. IDG's online network includes more than 450 Web sites spanning business technology, consumer technology, digital entertainment, and video games worldwide. IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers in 85 countries including CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld, Macworld, Network World, and PC World. IDG's lead-generation service, IDG Connect, matches technology companies with an audience of engaged, high-quality IT professionals, influencers, and decision makers.