Jeff Kaplan is the founder of THINKstrategies, the only independent strategic consulting firm dedicated to helping enterprise IT decision-makers and technology solution providers achieve their business objectives by leveraging the value of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), cloud computing and managed services.
Jeff founded THINKstrategies to address the unprecedented IT/network management and sourcing issues facing enterprise IT executives, IT solutions providers and venture capital firms today. Jeff has a history of success working with clients from each of these sectors.
Jeff has over twenty years of experience and recognized expertise in IT/network management, SaaS, managed services, cloud computing, telecommunications and outsourcing trends. Prior to founding THINKstrategies, Jeff was a leading industry analyst at IDC, Dataquest, and META Group, and successful senior marketing executive at InterOPS Management Solutions and International Network Services (INS).
Jeff also founded the Software-as-a-Service Showplace® and Managed Services Showplace®, the leading vendor-independent online directories and best practice resource centers in these rapidly growing marketplaces.
Jeff is a senior advisor to Triple-Tree, LLC. He also serves as a member of the On-Demand Services steering committee of the SIIA; and the chairman of the SaaS/cloud computing/managed services track of NetworkWorld's IT Roadmap and Interops. He has also served as a member of the AMR Research Board of Directors.
He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and contributing columnist for BusinessWeek Online, Mass High Tech Journal, Financial Times of London, NetworkWorld, Business Communications Review, ComputerWorld, InfoWorld, InformationWeek, and Web Host Industry Review on topics including managed services, software-as-a-service (SaaS), cloud computing, outsourcing strategies; network and systems operations, service level management (SLM); and IT ROI and TCO calculations. Vist the THINKstrategies' website to view our latest columns & commentaries.
Contributions
Video:The Cloud as Enterprise Tool: Integration in All Directions - February 2010
Cloud Computing can add enormous value to existing enterprise IT assets - but only if the cloud is recognized as an opportunity for strategic integration, and not for mere migration of existing IT functions and models to someone else's data center. Peter Coffee and THINKstrategies' Jeff Kaplan discuss the business process goals, and the service management considerations, that should drive a cloud integration initiative.
Podcast:The Wild West Era of Cloud Computing - ebizQ, January 2010
The Founder of THINKstartegies, Jeff Kaplan, discusses the current state of cloud computing, where it's going, and what it must do to keep growing.
Video:Market Update from SIIA OnDemand - November 2009
The founder of THINKstrategies gives a market update and overview of the growing cloud computing and SaaS landscape.
Article:Shifting Clouds - July 2009
The trend toward cloud computing is growing, but not all cloud players are benefiting equally. Some of the early trailblazers have already disappeared, having failed to attract the investments needed to stay alive, or having been gobbled up as larger competitors lumbered onto the playing field. Best-of-breed innovators are going to have to be nimble and quick to survive.
Article:Can SaaS and Cloud Computing Be Location-Independent? - June 2009
Cloud Computing offers clear advantages in terms of cost efficiency. So why are some companies still reluctant to move their IT operations skyward? There are several important reasons, but they all come back to the same thing: Many companies aren't ready to expose their business critical data and processes to the risks inherent in a shared environment. Private clouds could be the answer.
Article:Simplifying the Term "Cloud Computing" - June 2009
Few terms have captured as much attention and caused as much confusion among IT and business decision makers as cloud computing.
Article: Security Shouldn't Stall SaaS - June 2009
One of the first questions IT and business executives ask when they are considering Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions is, "Is it secure?" The Question usually has multiple meanings. IT and business executives want to ensure the privacy of their corporate data is protected. They also want to be sure they can regain control of their data if they are unhappy with their SaaS solution, or their SaaS vendor goes out of business or their services are seriously disrupted.
Article:How SaaS Changes the Vendor-Customer Relationship - June 2009
The real significance of the SaaS movement is that it changes the vendor-customer relationship. SaaS shifts the responsibility of successfully deploying and maintaining software applications from the customer to the vendor. This moves the burden to the vendor to ensure the success of the application.
Article:Do Private Clouds Make Sense? - May 2009
From sharing services in data centers to cut costs, to accessing services in the cloud to cut them even more, IT departments seem to have come full circle. Now, some companies want to eliminate the sharing altogether and create private clouds under their own corporate roofs.
Podcast:The Converging Worlds of BI and SaaS - The IT-Finance Connection, April 2009
Podcast: THINKstrategies' Managing Director, Jeff Kaplan, discusses SaaS trends and the implications for companies seeking to satisfy their business intelligence needs.
Article:SaaS and Cloud Computing - The Channel is Far From Dead - April 2009
The role of the channel will certainly change the face of the rapidly evolving on-demand services market. However, there's still room for channel outfits to operate. User organizations of all sizes still need help with a myriad of decisions, such as evaluating and selecting the rapidly expanding array of SaaS providers and cloud computing vendors.
Article:The Five P's of SaaS Platforms - April 2009
The success of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) has inspired a new generation of Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) players to emerge, seeking to gain a higher ground in a rapidly evolving cloud computing environment. In the PaaS market there are five P's which will determine the survival and success of suppliers, and their customers.
Article:Five Myths About SaaS - ComputerWorld, March 2009
Despite a growing track record of success, Software-as-a-Service is still misunderstood by a surprising number of IT and business decision makers. It's time to put to rest some misconceptions about SaaS. Let's bust the five most common myths.
Presentation: The State of SaaS and the Business Implications for ISVs - March 2009
Article:Cloud Computing: Beyond Buy vs Lease - March 2009
Despite growing evidence that Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions can produce meaningful cost-savings and provide important new functionality, there are still IT/business decision-makers and industry observers who are unconvinced that these benefits are for real.
Article:Economy Benefits SaaS, Cloud Computing - Mass High Tech Journal, January 2009
The SaaS and Cloud Computing market is perfectly positioned to capitalize on the current economic uncertainty.
Video: How Does Today's Economy Impact the SaaS Market? - SIIA, December 2008
Jeff Kaplan, Managing Director of THINKstrategies, discusses the impact of today's economy on the SaaS market.
Presentation: Trends & Best Practices for Implementing SaaS for Your Business - October 2008
Presentation: Overcoming the Organizational Barriers to Transforming Your Software Business into an On-Demand Company - October 2008
Presentation: Tracking the Growth of Software-as-a-Service - October 2008
Presentation: Software 2008: The Convergence of Open Source & SaaS - October 2008
A presentation that discusses the ways that SaaS companies have leveraged Open Source technology and their best practices.
Podcast: Living in a SaaS World - NetworkWorld, January 2008
THINKstrategies' Managing Director, Jeff Kaplan, discusses SaaS trends and the implications on IT professionals, corporate end-users and executives, and major players in the market in these Converging on Microsoft podcasts hosted by Mitchell Ashley. Living in a SaaS World: Part 1 Living in a SaaS World: Part 2
Jeff Kaplan