From Publishers Weekly
Cusumano, a professor at MIT’s Sloan School of Management and coauthor of Microsoft Secrets, offers a comprehensive overview of the software business and how the right approach is key to the success of technology companies. Cusumano first identifies the key distinction between software and other businesses. In fact, he believes it is unlike every other business because software doesn’t have one purpose but becomes whatever function it is handling for a particular customer or company. As a result, software companies must sell both products and services, according to the author. The two typical ways software companies operate is by getting the lion’s share of revenues from new product sales or via IT consulting. The third way is what the author calls “hybrid solutions companies—software firms that have some new product sales, but derive as much as 80% of their revenues from services and “maintenance.” However, what’s essential for company success in t (more…)
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#1 by Maddy on May 31st, 2009
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fairly good introduction; often dull
I found this book to be a fairly good introduction to the software industry for a newcomer, albeit slightly outdated.
#2 by Oswald on May 31st, 2009
3.0 out of 5 stars
Some value here, but could be better
This book offers some good perspectives on software companies, but I was shocked and disappointed with a glaring omission – software as a service (SaaS).
#3 by Yukiko on May 31st, 2009
5.0 out of 5 stars
Product verses Service
I2 in 1996 went from $20 a share to $111 a share in 2000 and then to 41 cents in 2002. “Writing off the value of acquisitions that never lived up to their promises caused I2 to…
#4 by Odelia on May 31st, 2009
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome !
Cusumano shows us what we, IT professionals, should know about business of software. He also shows us, in a very simple manner, what we must really know about software and its…
#5 by Yatima on May 31st, 2009
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book
This book is like a text book. Excellent source of information. Too much emphasis on Microsoft but when this book was written, Microsoft was at the top of their field.
#6 by Helia on June 1st, 2009
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great insight into the world of enterprise software business
Well written, detailed, and insightful, best describe this book. Very helpful for any ISV or software product development manager.
#7 by Anonymous on June 1st, 2009
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Read
The Business of Software is an excellent read and growth tool for seasoned practitioners. Organized in three major sections it explores:
(1) Product vs.
#8 by Luvenia on June 1st, 2009
4.0 out of 5 stars
Book’s value is in provactive questions
The most useful sections for technology marketers are in Chapter 2 about strategy, where Cusumano asks provocative questions that will give you a new way of looking at your…
#9 by Keyah on June 1st, 2009
3.0 out of 5 stars
OK, there are better out there…
I read Cusumano’s book recently and was underwhelmed. It’s an OK overview of the software business, but I certainly wouldn’t put it ahead of a book like, “Four Steps to the…
#10 by Dutch on June 1st, 2009
5.0 out of 5 stars
Truly the book that every software entrepreneur should read
In many ways this is the book I had been trying to find for years. There are many good books on starting up companies, and high-tech companies in particular but not much good…