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In Today's Issue:
Quote: Richard W. Hemming
News: Software Makers see Gold in Rentals
Facts: Senior Stats
Tip: Using Mailing/Announcement Lists
Biz Sites: 1. Want to Publish an Online Book? - Keeboo!
2. Support Online
3. Trying out Business Strategies
Term: What is an "Affiliate Program" and how can it help you?
Ripple Rock: A computer chip the size of a molecule?
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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
*** "The purpose of computing is insight, not numbers."
-- Richard W. Hemming
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LATE BREAKING NEWS:
Software Makers see Gold in Rentals
Business software makers believe that the future may lie in rentals. Advocates say applications outsourcing and hosting--the option to rent access to software online instead of buying it--is expected to explode among mid-sized firms because they can save money and avoid managing complex systems themselves.
Companies which sell software in this market, also called Application Service Providers or "ASP"s, are beginning to ponder the impact that applications outsourcing could have on a $10 billion industry that's in flux as it searches for new sources of revenue. The outsourcing trend could be just what ASP companies have long been searching for, a way to reach the smaller companies that cannot afford to buy their software, which can cost millions of dollars.
Research firm IDC expects spending on services offered by application service providers, which offer the hosted applications sold or licensed to them by software makers, to reach $150.4 million worldwide this year. IDC predicts that the ASP market--which includes hosting of e-commerce, email, and other business applications--will grow to $2 billion by 2003, representing a 91 percent annual growth rate.
Source: CNET News.com
Analysis/Comment from the CyberSisters:
We've been following this trend for months now. Renting software
through
an ASP is great way to reduce support headaches and costs. It also allows
you to have access to up-to-date, innovative software products via a web
interface. Chances are, over the next few years, you will gradually start
to move your operations onto secure web applications. It makes a lot of
sense. The CyberSisters have been experimenting with an ASP service
offered
by one of our strategic partners, Towncore Internet. Check it out at
(Trusted Online Global Access)
- call or email us if you're interested in participating in our pilot
project.
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FACTOID OF THE DAY:
Our "CyberMum" Jackie Currie just joined the list! Welcome. In your honour, the factoid of the day covers the vast and growing army of "matures" on the internet-- with lots of statistics that define this group's growing role and presence on the web.
Senior Stats:
1. The 50+ set is over 60 million strong and represents 23% of the
total
U.S. population.
2. By the year 2023, 35% of the population will be over 50 and they
will number over 115 million.
3. The mature market controls $7 trillion in wealth in America.
4. The average discretionary income of a senior is $5,840, versus only
$4,633 for the average American.
5. There are 78 million baby boomers out there, and every seven
seconds
one of them turns 50.
6. Fully 19% of all online users are over 50.
7. The over 50 set is the fastest growing segment online.
8. The number one reason that matures get online is to "try something
new" (67%).
9. The number two reason is to stay in touch with family and friends
via e-mail (53%).
10. 86% of seniors log on from home.
11. Matures are 30% more likely to have purchased online.
Comments:
For those of your selling to this market, take note of the factoids
listed above. They might help you in developing your marketing plan.
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TIP:
If you're promoting your web site and marketing online, the first step to to get someone to visit your Web site, but your second step is to keep them coming back! If you are selling a product or service, they may not be ready to buy during their first visit, but they might buy on a later visit. If your revenue is based on selling ads, you want visitors to return to see more ads. One way to get visitors to return to your site is to use an announcement/mailing list. Today, we have an overview of using a mailing list as part of your promotion process.
Getting Started:
1. Define the purpose of your list. Make sure people know what type of announcements they will get if they are on the list. Compose a short description of your list.
2. Plan a realistic schedule for how often messages will go out.
3. Determine the style for the messages you will send. (This will depend on your target audience - your customers and potential customers).
4. Make it convenient and easy for people to sign up for your list. But make it at least as easy for them to remove themselves. (more details on this to come!)
5. Re-assure people that their privacy will be respected.
That's it for today, in the next issues, our tips will cover ways to get people to sign up for your list.
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BIZ SITES OF THE DAY:
Want to Publish an Online Book? - Keeboo!
The "Keeboo" website allows you to create and publish virtual, online books. KeeBoo(tm) uses a powerful interface in its software —the book metaphor— to gather, organize, enhance and share information, images and sound from a variety of sources, such as Web pages or desktop applications such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.) With KeeBoo(tm), users can create and publish virtual books with personal or business themes. Any topics of interest to them and their families, friends and associates (e.g., travel, photography, investment information, consumer guides, recipes, business and school reports) can be included in a KeeBoo book.
Support Online
Entrepreneurs and business people can't afford "downtime" due to computer problems. With support costs rising, why not try to find help online first? SupportHelp.com catalogs more than 17,000 personal-technology products and offers contact information for more than 5,100 manufacturers. You can search the database by company name, keyword, or product name.
Trying out Business Strategies!
Here's an interesting one! Remember when we talked about taking business education concerning the Internet seriously? (http://www.digitalripple.com/seriously.html) The StrategEY Zone contains an interactive business exercise to challenge the strategic thinking of visitors. There's no need to register and it's free.
http://www.appliedpsych.com/eystrategy/
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TERM OF THE DAY:
"Affiliate Programs"
In a nutshell, an Affiliate Program is a referral-based marketing strategy (often referred to as "Revenue Sharing"), where you increase your website's traffic and sales, by paying other website owners a small commission after one of their website visitors is referred to your website and makes a purchase at your website. (Interested in setting up your own affiliate program - contact dcurrie@digitalripple.com)
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Ripple Effect "Rock"
What's a Ripple Effect Rock? Well, think of a rock thrown in a lake, and how the water ripples outward. This section of the newsletter covers developments and technologies that we think might soon cause a "ripple effect" in business or society.
Ripple Rock for July 22, 1999:
There's no contest for this week's Ripple Rock - this is one of those things that makes you stop and think! Can you imagine a computer chip the size of a molecule? Well, it's not too far off according to researchers at UCLA and Hewlett-Packard. A press release came out yesterday explaining that they have succeeded in constructing microscopic integrated circuits using single molecules as building blocks, an achievement that could lead the way to stunningly powerful and compact computers. Conventional computers are powered by tiny circuits etched in silicon by a laser, but a computer based on molecule-sized circuits would be vastly more compact and require much less power — James Heath, the UCLA professor leading the project, has suggested that a molecular computer with the processing power of 100 conventional PCs would be about the size of a grain of salt.
Comment/Analysis from the CyberSisters:
A oouple of weeks ago in the "Ripple Rock" section I talked about the possibility of a supercomputer on your desktop within a few years. But the implications of this news release are staggering - unlimited memory capacity, medical nano-devices small enough to float in the human bloodstream, and beyond. In typical scientific fashion, the researchers caution that it will be years before actual functioning molecular computers will be constructed. "This is an important stepping stone, but we still have a long way to go," James Tour, an expert in the field who teaches at Rice University, told the New York Times. However, with my futurist hat on at the moment, I predict this will happen within 3-5 years. Watch for it. Think about the possibilities. Wow.
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That's it for now! Have a great week!
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Telephone: (604) 608 1714
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E-Mail: dcurrie@digitalripple.com
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Toronto, Ontario
Telephone: (416)430-5726
Facsimile: (416)430-5726
E-Mail: alcurrie@digitalripple.com
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Oshawa, Ontario
Telephone: (905) 721 0285
Facsimile: (905) 721 1335
"Exploring the Ripple Effect of Digital Technology"
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