The ISV SaaS Readiness Program is designed to help you to successfully plan, execute and launch a best-of-breed Software-plus-Services solution using the Microsoft Dynamics CRM platform. Wherever you are in the process of planning, building, launching or growing your Microsoft Dynamics CRM based SaaS business; this program helps ISVs to overcome hurdles on the road to a successful SaaS implementation. It will get you to market faster, accelerate your revenue growth, and enable you to achieve success in the rapidly changing and competitive On-Demand market landscape.

In creating the ISV SaaS Readiness Program, Microsoft has partnered with Mural Consulting, the leading SaaS advisory firm, to help ISVs transform their business by building powerful, valued-added solutions on top of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM platform. As a result of focused SaaS engagements with over 300 ISVs and Service Providers, Mural has a wealth of best practice experience which they have used to develop an ensemble of Key Success Factors (KSFs) for SaaS success. These KSFs drive results. The better you perform against all of the KSFs, the more success you will have with your Software-plus-Services solution in the SaaS marketplace.

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) represents a significant and compelling opportunity for ISVs. However, building and launching a SaaS offering is a complex endeavor involving significant challenges and risks. Nearly all facets of developing and operating a successful SaaS business are different from those of a traditional software company. From business planning and financial modeling to building, operating and supporting a SaaS offering, every area in the company is impacted and needs to be fully involved in the SaaS initiative.  As the SaaS market matures, it is becoming increasingly clear that planning, building, launching and selling successful Software-plus-Services solution is complicated.

There are many lessons to be learned from traditional software providers who have transitioned their existing legacy and on-premise applications from the perpetual licensed model to the ‘pay-as-you-go’ SaaS model, or from start-up companies that have launched a brand new SaaS offering. These lessons, and the knowledge about what works and what does not work in the  On-Demand model, form the foundation of Mural’s KSFs. They will enable you to avoid the costly mistakes and pitfalls that others have made and provide valuable business technical, marketing and operational guidelines that will enable you to minimize risk, keep costs down, overcome challenges and reap the rewards of SaaS.

The ISV SaaS Readiness Program will ensure that you are internally and externally aligned with SaaS best practices and ready and able to maximize your opportunity for success with Microsoft Dynamics CRM.  It will provide you with expert and experienced guidance, support resources, tools, and partners to help you to successfully plan, execute and launch your Software-plus-Services solution offering.

Step 1:  Complete a short SaaS Readiness Self-Assessment . This will help you to initially measure your SaaS business, technical, hosting, and operational readiness.  A score will be provided immediately and will indicate where you are in terms of SaaS maturity.

Step 2: Participate in a 2 hour tele-consultation to discuss your results and to allow us to dig deeper into your practices and performances.

Step 3: Based on the tele-consultation, we will revise your SaaS Readiness Assessment score. Going forward, through the self-assessment tool, you will be able to continue to keep track of your progress as improvements are made and continuously ensure that you are maximizing your opportunity for success.

Step 4: We will tailor follow-on SaaS Readiness engagements to address your unique needs. We will address best practices and the areas of highest priority to you across the following 5 Key Process Areas:

1. Financial and Business Management

2. Go-To-Market Readiness

3. Application Architecture Readiness

4. Hosting Architecture Readiness

5. Operations and Support  Readiness

There is no cost from either Microsoft or Mural Consulting to complete your self assessment, or obtain your SaaS Maturity Assessment Report. The 2 hour tele-consultation is also provided without charge or obligation, but is provided to help you and your team see the areas for enhancement which lie on your path to success.

The greatest value in the SaaS ISV Readiness Program involves understanding your unique business situation, industry-specific variables, and target customers, and takes into account your firm’s Maturity Assessment and rankings on the Key Success Factors’ indexes. Because of this, Program engagements beyond the tele-consultation are tailored to meet your unique needs, with costs varying according to your level of need, SaaS maturity, and areas of interest.  You have the ability to choose what areas of priority you wish to address.

The SaaS Readiness Self-Assessment is your doorway into the Program. Through this illuminating tool you will determine where you have greatest needs and gaps. It will show how we may best be able to help you understand, plan and take action early to achieve your Software-plus-Services goals.

Completing the SaaS Readiness Self-Assessment is free of charge or obligation.

Don’t wait to get started! Whether you are a pure-play SaaS ISV, a traditional ISV planning integration with—or already migrating to—the SaaS model, the CRM ISV SaaS Readiness Program has something for you!  Just click to get started completing your SaaS Readiness Self-Assessment now.  A score will be provided immediately to you and we will contact you to discuss your results.