Cloud SaaS can be a cost effective and fast way to buy and start using software (see my top ten reasons to do SaaS). However, while cloud SaaS can be great when done right, it can be painful to use when done wrong. With the increasing interest, adequate bandwidth for delivery, and a marketplace ready to try SaaS applications, many traditional software companies are considering a SaaS option. The greatest risk to the success of SaaS is poorly done SaaS ruining the market by disappointing early adopters and creating a bad reputation for SaaS. I am concerned that traditional software companies, rushing in to a SaaS delivery model and under estimating what is required to do SaaS right, are the most likely to do SaaS poorly.
