The difference, now, as users and organisations, is we now have confidence in the technology.

Changing times

Times are a’ changing. The expectations of users and businesses now consist of the following:

• We want the ability to try before we buy
• We want things easy, no technical headaches please!
• Integration should be simple.
• When a decision is made, we want it now! next month or year is too late.
• We expect quality customer support.
• Don’t underestimate the ability of the user…

This is called Software-as-a-Service or software as a subscription model.

Take Flickr for example, it’s
free to sign up and use (with limitations). The attractive point, apart
from not needing technical knowledge or hardware, is the monthly subscription cost of about $2 is hardly going to break anyones bank. The current user base for Flickr is massive.

OnDemand Learning and Performance Management

With the success of user based subscription models, it was a matter of
time before businesses had similar options. But let’s be clear, we are
not saying that you will get hosted learning and performance management
for $2 a user!

A look at the leading learning and performance management companies shows:

• SumTotal launched ResultsOnDemand
• Plateau offer Hosted and Managed services, where on demand solutions are playing their part.
• Saba are on board OnDemand  and Hosting services

In addition we have Success Factors who provide Talent and Performance management purely as a “software as a service solution” for small, medium and enterprise
companies. This is quite significant as it truly means that Talent,
Performance and Learning management is no longer just for the big guns.

Software as a service – the benefits

Whilst all these services will differ, their aims and benefits are similar:

• Rapid deployment of a learning and performance management solutions
• Ability to adapt more quickly to business demands
• Low cost of entry
• Leaves responsibility to the vendor for all the hardware, software and techincal issues.
• Allows your business to focus on what matters.

Whilst the target market for OnDemand solutions appear to be SME’s, larger corporates are known to have taken up this option whilst experiencing significant change (e.g. mergers, lack of internal resources).