Software Paradox: The Rise and Fall of the Commercial Software Market

Software is moreimportant than ever today and yet its commercial value is steadily declining.Microsoft, for instance, has seen its gross margins decrease for a decade,while startups and corporations alike are distributing free software that wouldhave been worth millions a few years ago.

Welcome to thesoftware paradox. In this O’Reilly report, RedMonk’s Stephen O’Grady explainswhy the real money no longer lies in software, and what it means for companiesthat depend on that revenue. You’ll learn how this paradox came about and whatyour company can do in response.

This book covers:

• Why it’s growing moredifficult to sell software on a standalone basis
• How software has comefull circle, from enabler to product and back again
• The roles that opensource, software-as-a-service, and subscriptions play
• How softwaredevelopers have become the new kingmakers
• Why Microsoft, Apple,and Google epitomize this transition
• How the paradox hasaffected other tech giants, such as Oracle and Salesforce.com
• Strategies yoursoftware firm can explore, including alternative revenue models

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