http://www.softwareceo.com?src=articles_rss SoftwareCEO - Latest Articles Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:46:57 GMT admin@softwareceo.com SoftwareCEO 60 http://www.softwareceo.com/brand/sceo/community.gif http://www.softwareceo.com?src=articles_rss http://www.softwareceo.com/article/48178/Top-10-Pitfalls-of-Software-Globalization-And-How-to-Avoid-Them/?src=articles_rss <img align="right" hspace="10" src="http://www.softwareceo.com/imagelib/contentitem/48178/11d1def534ea1be0-36231a0d-13d8df26ebd--75441513936867.jpg">Many enterprise applications do not provide all the languages that businesses require to support employees, partners and customers. Depending on the language and software application, localization can present formidable hurdles for software vendors. Here are the 10 biggest pitfalls associated with software application localization projects and how to deal with them. 1. Programming Hygiene Even companies with mature development teams and top-tier technical talent have difficulty delivering truly internationalized code. The most common stumbling block is not enforcing pre-established development principles (such as externalizing text strings, providing database columns for multilingual data storage, etc.) due to product release deadlines, lack of sufficient QA resources or both. This often leads to programming hygiene deterioration and developers checking in code that is not internationalized. 2. Legacy Code It&rsquo;s rare for a software development team to build a new product from scratch. Even when completely new functionality is developed, companies often rely on legacy code to get a substantial leg up in terms of time-to-market. Very often this legacy code is not internationalized and prevents the entire product from supporting multiple languages 3. Data Storage Even when code is internationalized, some software products do not configure the data repository so that it can...<div><a href="http://www.softwareceo.com/article/48178/Top-10-Pitfalls-of-Software-Globalization-And-How-to-Avoid-Them/">[Read more]</div> Strategy and Leadership International Focus Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:35:04 GMT Atul Tulshibagwale http://www.softwareceo.com/article/48178/Top-10-Pitfalls-of-Software-Globalization-And-How-to-Avoid-Them/#discussion?src=articles_rss http://www.softwareceo.com/article/48178/Top-10-Pitfalls-of-Software-Globalization-And-How-to-Avoid-Them/?src=articles_rss http://www.softwareceo.com/article/47945/Achieving-Success-In-A-Narrow-Niche-How-Bockyn-Software-s-CEO-Built-a-Business-on-Parks-Rec/?src=articles_rss <img align="right" hspace="10" src="http://www.softwareceo.com/imagelib/contentitem/47945/39e706a46ad531be--60bc444d-13d16b855f1-4a061854456088.jpg">Mike Bocker spends his professional time on the ball field, at least metaphorically. As CEO of Bockyn Software he serves a highly specialized niche: The parks and recreations departments of various municipalities. Founded in 2005, Bockyn employs eight people and competes in its industry with companies such as Vermont Systems and Active Network. Bockyn's web based solution handles a broad range of functions including program and activity management, memberships, reservations and rentals, scheduling, childcare management, point of sale, and online registration. We spoke with Bocker about playing in a narrow arena, asking questions such as: How do marketing, product development, revenues streams and other essentials work in the government-directed niche of parks-and-rec activities? Here's what he had to say. What brought you to this niche? I had a business previous to this in IT services doing web development projects and software projects, and I didn't like the project-by-project work. So, when I started a second business, I decided to do something around an interest of mine -- as well as something that had a residual revenue structure to it. I have been an athlete for a long time. I am on the boards of different youth organizations like lacrosse and...<div><a href="http://www.softwareceo.com/article/47945/Achieving-Success-In-A-Narrow-Niche-How-Bockyn-Software-s-CEO-Built-a-Business-on-Parks-Rec/">[Read more]</div> Strategy and Leadership Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:47:37 GMT Adam Stone http://www.softwareceo.com/article/47945/Achieving-Success-In-A-Narrow-Niche-How-Bockyn-Software-s-CEO-Built-a-Business-on-Parks-Rec/#discussion?src=articles_rss http://www.softwareceo.com/article/47945/Achieving-Success-In-A-Narrow-Niche-How-Bockyn-Software-s-CEO-Built-a-Business-on-Parks-Rec/?src=articles_rss http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46436/Developer-LogiXML-Makes-Chocolate-Cake-Video-Software-Shoppers-Gobble-It-Up/?src=articles_rss <img align="right" hspace="10" src="http://www.softwareceo.com/imagelib/contentitem/46436/39e706a46ad531be--779b9fe5-13ab26bc135--6459-539696783.jpg">When a software company does something new and different in its marketing, we take notice. When that something is fun, all the better. LogiXML , a business intelligence company based in McLean, Va., sent us a link to a video designed to explain and promote their web-based BI application suite, and we were charmed. So, we talked with LogiXML CMO Ken Chow, the "cook" behind the "cake," to ask him about the genesis, the creation, and the results of the video. Chow has 25+ years of technology marketing experience. Before LogiXML, he was VP marketing at R2integrated , an internet marketing and technology company. Prior to that, he was the marketing hotshot at SafeNet , Group1 Software (now part of Pitney Bowes ), and other Silicon Valley firms. Here's Chow's experience and insight about software marketing in general, and videos in particular. Tip #1: Do something to cut through the platitudes and get to the pain. "We're in a pretty competitive space," Chow says, "and for any software company in a space like that, the marketing conversations are quickly taken up by platitudes. Everybody has a better-faster-neater way of doing X. "I realized realized pretty quickly the reasons people buy...<div><a href="http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46436/Developer-LogiXML-Makes-Chocolate-Cake-Video-Software-Shoppers-Gobble-It-Up/">[Read more]</div> Marketing and PR Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:25:07 GMT Bruce Hadley, Founder http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46436/Developer-LogiXML-Makes-Chocolate-Cake-Video-Software-Shoppers-Gobble-It-Up/?textpage=2#discussion?src=articles_rss http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46436/Developer-LogiXML-Makes-Chocolate-Cake-Video-Software-Shoppers-Gobble-It-Up/?src=articles_rss http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46400/Is-Your-Software-Stuck-in-Transit-Electric-Cloud-Aims-to-Fast-Track-Release-Cycles/?src=articles_rss <img align="right" hspace="10" src="http://www.softwareceo.com/imagelib/contentitem/46400/39e706a46ad531be-714b69d7-13a69b89188-1ed9764188754.jpg">Electric Cloud is a software developer in the DevOps space -- meaning, the company's technology automates and accelerates software application development and delivery. Customers (build-test-release-deploy) process, enabling organizations to deliver their business-critical applications to market faster, with higher quality and improved infrastructure utilization. Founded in 2002, Electric Cloud has 120 employees, and is based in Sunnyvale, Calif., with a development center in Fort Collins, Colo., and sales and marketing offices worldwide. Venture funding has come from Mayfield , Rembrandt , and US Venture Partners . "We have chosen not to be profitable at this point," says marketing VP Kalyan Ramanathan. "We're investing in our business, and have not taken any additional investment money in the last four years." The focus on growth over profit appears to be paying off: Recognized last year as a Deloitte Technology Fast 500 company and named to the Inc. 500 list, Electric Cloud has real momentum: Their growth rate nearly tripled during the period from 2006 to 2010. We spoke with Ramanathan recently to get his advice for growing your software startup. Tip #1: Software is what defines all companies, not just developers. "The fundamental thing that we see in most enterprises is the realization...<div><a href="http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46400/Is-Your-Software-Stuck-in-Transit-Electric-Cloud-Aims-to-Fast-Track-Release-Cycles/">[Read more]</div> R&amp;D and Quality Tue, 16 Oct 2012 17:17:26 GMT Bruce Hadley, Founder http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46400/Is-Your-Software-Stuck-in-Transit-Electric-Cloud-Aims-to-Fast-Track-Release-Cycles/#discussion?src=articles_rss http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46400/Is-Your-Software-Stuck-in-Transit-Electric-Cloud-Aims-to-Fast-Track-Release-Cycles/?src=articles_rss http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46355/Desk.com-Sells-for-80-Million-Just-11-Months-After-Product-Release-Founder-Tells-How-8232/?src=articles_rss <img align="right" hspace="10" src="http://www.softwareceo.com/imagelib/contentitem/46355/39e706a46ad531be-17760f70-13a1dd2b45b--353f1149939045.jpg">Alex Bard is a software entrepreneur who has been part of the founding team of four internet start ups, including eShare Technologies (1996-1999), eAssist Global Solutions (1999-2004), Goowy Media (2004-2008) and Desk.com (founded 2009). Desk.com released the alpha version of its customer service application in early 2010, the beta version came out in September 2010, and the full public release was in October 2010. In September 2011, Salesforce.com bought the company for $80 million. Not a bad return for two years' work. Of course, Bard and his team have many more years of experience and knowledge under their collective belts. Desk.com (originally called Assistly) was founded by Bard, Gary Benitt, Brad Birnbaum, and Jeremy Suriel, who'd worked together since the 1990s in building customer service-based companies. Post-acquisition, Bard is now VP and GM of Salesforce.com and CEO of Desk.com. He's also an advisor and investor in several start-ups including Watercooler , Foodzie , Irata Labs ( acquired by IGN ), and others. We caught up with him recently to get his advice for fellow software entrepreneurs. Tip #1: Your investors may become buyers. Desk.com was originally self-funded by the founders. The firm took a seed round in April 2010, plus...<div><a href="http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46355/Desk.com-Sells-for-80-Million-Just-11-Months-After-Product-Release-Founder-Tells-How-8232/">[Read more]</div> Strategy and Leadership Mon, 01 Oct 2012 21:39:46 GMT Bruce Hadley, Founder http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46355/Desk.com-Sells-for-80-Million-Just-11-Months-After-Product-Release-Founder-Tells-How-8232/?textpage=3#discussion?src=articles_rss http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46355/Desk.com-Sells-for-80-Million-Just-11-Months-After-Product-Release-Founder-Tells-How-8232/?src=articles_rss http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46087/Up-Against-Google-Dropbox-et.-al.-Software-Startup-SurDoc-Carves-a-Successful-Niche-Here-s-How/?src=articles_rss <img align="right" hspace="10" src="http://www.softwareceo.com/imagelib/contentitem/46087/39e706a46ad531be--34e3d50f-13991bfe95d--5adc-1073698299.jpg">At the tail end of 2011, Menlo Park, Calif.-based developer SurDoc landed $4 million in venture capital from IDG Ventures to help fund the launch of its cloud storage software. A few months later, Google announced the rollout of Google Drive . On the surface, this sounds like another startup disaster, right? With fewer than 30 employees and about 10,000 registered users, how could little SurDoc survive the Google onslaught, let alone compete against established cloud storage players like Dropbox , Microsoft SkyDrive , and a slew of others? Answer: With a really sharp focus, and a really good story about that focus. We recently spoke with SurDoc's marketing director, Suzanne Duris. She explained how her company can compete in a noisy and brutal market. Tip #1: Have a compelling story -- one that you've checked against reality. &ldquo;Compelling doesn't necessarily mean your story has to be unique,&rdquo; Duris says, &ldquo;but it does mean you need to have all your ducks in row. &ldquo;This requires a reality check. For example, in my 'other' life, I'm also an actor. Whenever I try out a new role, I always have a core of folks that I chat with. Well, it's the same...<div><a href="http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46087/Up-Against-Google-Dropbox-et.-al.-Software-Startup-SurDoc-Carves-a-Successful-Niche-Here-s-How/">[Read more]</div> Strategy and Leadership Tue, 04 Sep 2012 16:10:05 GMT Bruce Hadley, Founder http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46087/Up-Against-Google-Dropbox-et.-al.-Software-Startup-SurDoc-Carves-a-Successful-Niche-Here-s-How/?textpage=2#discussion?src=articles_rss http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46087/Up-Against-Google-Dropbox-et.-al.-Software-Startup-SurDoc-Carves-a-Successful-Niche-Here-s-How/?src=articles_rss http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46030/How-to-Build-Buzz-Community-Courtesy-of-Software-Superstar-Wave-Accounting/?src=articles_rss <img align="right" hspace="10" src="http://www.softwareceo.com/imagelib/contentitem/46030/39e706a46ad531be--2dcae6d2-13944180dc0-7daf-68275296.jpg">For Toronto-based developer Wave Accounting , investors and customers have been rolling in -- pardon the pun -- like a well-controlled tsunami. In June 2011, Wave Accounting got $1.5 million in a seed round led by OMERS through INKEF Capital . In September 2011, Wave received $755,000 from a Canadian federal grant. Then, in October 2011 -- just four months after the seed round -- the company received $5 million in Series A funding, led by Charles River Ventures , with participation from OMERS Ventures . Finally, in May of this year, Wave closed its Series B funding, led by The Social+Capital Partnership with participation from Charles River and OMERS. The amount? A cool $12 million. If you look at customer stats, it's easy to understand why so many investors have thrown so much money, so quickly, at this relatively tiny company: Wave is a completely free accounting package that's supported through offers. When users log into their Wave accounts, there&rsquo;s a section called "Business Savings." This screen features offers for business-related needs like business cards, web hosting, credit card processing, whatever. Since its software launch in November 2010, Wave has signed up nearly a quarter of a million businesses,...<div><a href="http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46030/How-to-Build-Buzz-Community-Courtesy-of-Software-Superstar-Wave-Accounting/">[Read more]</div> Strategy and Leadership Marketing and PR Mon, 20 Aug 2012 18:59:33 GMT Bruce Hadley, Founder http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46030/How-to-Build-Buzz-Community-Courtesy-of-Software-Superstar-Wave-Accounting/?textpage=3#discussion?src=articles_rss http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46030/How-to-Build-Buzz-Community-Courtesy-of-Software-Superstar-Wave-Accounting/?src=articles_rss http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46000/How-to-Build-a-Rain-Machine-for-Software-Sales-in-7-Steps/?src=articles_rss <img align="right" hspace="10" src="http://www.softwareceo.com/imagelib/contentitem/46000/39e706a46ad531be--89bfa55-13901b5e696--2ccb-1823539454.jpg">We recently stumbled across a great presentation from Ben Bradley, a software marketing veteran and the founder of the boutique agency MaconRaine , based in Aurora, Ill. Why is it so great? Because it drives home important truths about the role of marketing in small software companies. And second, it's easy to understand, implement, and execute. We caught up with Bradley in a recent phone interview, and asked him to share his insight and experience. If you're trying to boost software sales -- and who isn't? -- then these seven steps are for you. Step 1: Focus every marketing activity around one goal. "I wasn't brought up in a big brand agency," Bradley says. "It's always been my own money, and because of that, I've always thought the role of marketing is to generate interest and inquiries so that sales can close deals. This tends to skew my overall focus. "The goal of every marketing activity is to generate leads -- leads that sales can close. In software and the SaaS space, we don&rsquo;t have time for branding. Your brand is the sum total of your customers, and if you don't have the customers, what use is the brand?" Step...<div><a href="http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46000/How-to-Build-a-Rain-Machine-for-Software-Sales-in-7-Steps/">[Read more]</div> Strategy and Leadership Tue, 07 Aug 2012 18:20:34 GMT Bruce Hadley, Founder http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46000/How-to-Build-a-Rain-Machine-for-Software-Sales-in-7-Steps/?textpage=2#discussion?src=articles_rss http://www.softwareceo.com/article/46000/How-to-Build-a-Rain-Machine-for-Software-Sales-in-7-Steps/?src=articles_rss