Progress Software’s Comprehensive SaaS Empowerment Programs Have Enabled over 400 SaaS On-demand Applications
Independent Software Vendors that are Progress Application Partners become more competitive in the on-demand world
BEDFORD, Mass., (BUSINESS WIRE)
13-Mar-2007
Progress Software Corporation (NASDAQ: PRGS), a provider of leading application infrastructure software to develop, deploy, integrate and manage business applications, today announced that its industry-leading Software as a Service (SaaS) empowerment programs have successfully transformed Progress Application Partners (APs) to deliver over 400 on-demand applications based on Progress technology. In addition, in the first quarter of this year, more than 70 additional APs participated in the Empowerment Programs where Progress not only helps them in meeting the technical requirements of best-in-class on-demand applications, but also helps with the whole business transformation required to enable this new delivery model. The growing popularity of on-demand applications has been driven by the flexibility they provide to budget and resource constrained IT departments, allowing them to utilize technologies their organizations need, but could not afford to deploy in the past.
Unlike other SaaS programs that focus on just hosting, Progress offers a much more comprehensive approach to ensure that APs not only adopt SaaS, but also deploy SaaS profitably. The program includes Assessment, Business Planning and Technical Planning to help guide APs through every step of the process. Using a proven application transformation approach in conjunction with consulting services, Progress provides the knowledge, support and resources needed for transforming business applications using SOA and multi-tenancy reference models.
According to Brad Shimmin, principal analyst, application infrastructure, at Current Analysis, "Leveraging its strong partner ecosystem and suite of complementary best-in-class solutions, Progress has started to take advantage of the emerging Software as a Service (SaaS) space, targeting vertical-specific solutions with key partners."
With over 2,000 application partners delivering 5,000 vertically focused systems that cover everything from processing insurance claims to renting cars, Progress understands that SaaS is not suited for every market and works with its APs to determine whether SaaS is a fit for their business. The company helps partners determine (1) whether they should offer their applications as an on-demand service, (2) how to target a new market opportunity for their services; and (3) whether their application is architected properly to support this service-oriented approach to business. Progress is the only infrastructure software company that places a priority on the added step of understanding their partner's business model, in order to help evaluate the impact of this new delivery type on their business.
Partners like Keystone Systems, a leading provider of software and services for libraries with distinctive needs, have taken advantage of the program. Libraries such as the State Library of Kansas and the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped are already using this model to help better serve their patrons with Keystone technology (please see latest press release at http://newsroom.progress.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=202961&p=irol-overview). "Keystone is committed to providing state-of-the-art library systems that are not only accessible to those with special needs, but that are also very affordable," said Kay Holloman, CEO of Keystone Systems, "To accomplish this goal, we realized that the SaaS model would give us the flexibility we needed, and working together with Progress, we determined how we could best deliver our application in this new model."
Progress also provides a powerful application infrastructure that includes the Progress OpenEdge platform, the first integrated platform optimized for the development and deployment of service-oriented business applications, and Progress' Sonic Enterprise Service Bus (ESB), the industry-leading integration backbone for distributed environments. Applications built on the OpenEdge platform are portable, reliable and scalable, yet require fewer administrative resources than other deployment platforms. The addition of the Sonic ESB provides the seamless integration layer needed for today's federated, heterogeneous settings.
Progress Software Corporation
Progress Software Corporation (NASDAQ: PRGS) provides application infrastructure software for the development, deployment, integration and management of business applications. Our goal is to maximize the benefits of information technology while minimizing its complexity and total cost of ownership. Progress can be reached at www.progress.com or +1-781-280-4000.
CONTACT: Progress Software
Silvie Casanova, 781-999-7235
scasanov@progress.com
or
LEWIS PR
Ian Lipner, 202-349-3866
progress@lewispr.com
SOURCE: Progress Software
