GoFaxer Blog

In a bold move towards revamping the methods used to deliver office software, Microsoft may soon begin streaming office software to user desktops.  According to Microsoft, this new method would ensure users would only use parts of the Office suite they need, allowing for price calibration and new methods for deploying software across large companies.  It would also allow for monthly service charges to be incurred and for product updates to be instantaneously delivered to every office user within a company.

“Streaming software” is not a new concept amongst providers of office and productivity suites.  Rather, Microsoft is begrudgingly giving in to providing these offerings as the result of competitors, such as Google, changing office offerings to suit emerging technologies.  Undercutting shrink-wrapped software offerings could change the nature of software distribution.

GoFaxer is already on top of the changing trends for software and online service delivery.  We provide a seamless method for turning your office into a paperless, fax-ready environment that integrates with other forms of office communications.  Inquire about our online fax services today.

Our world is getting ever smaller with technologies like email, the internet, fax to email, etc. Software is being replaced by online services. Google is looking like the biggest threat to Microsoft.

But an article by Ben Kunz at Businessweek.com suggests that the biggest threat to Google isn’t a company, but a device that slips neatly into your pocket. He’s talking about your cell phone.

He says:

“As more people use cell phones and their tiny glass screens to gain access to the Internet, Google and its fellow online advertisers will have less space, or what’s called ad inventory, to place marketing messages for customers. Google makes money selling ad inventory. And its ad inventory is diminished on a cell phone.”

Google is combating the trend by launching an Open Handset Alliance to design a new operating system for cell phone users. Kunz says that while many scratched their head as to why Google would get involved in this technology, it’s now clear. They see where things are going, and they need to insure that they’re still a part of it.

My other take, is that although a great deal of the internet surfing in the future will be on mobile phones, the vast majority of the internet use will continue on increasing larger flat screens, either at home or at the office. We like our Internet to be mobile, but the vast majority of our days are spent at a desk.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed this, but software is on the way out. Online applications are on their way in. With faster and more efficient Internet access everywhere, companies that can create online services that don’t require you to purchase software are finding enormous success.

The recent attempt by the world’s largest software company(Microsoft) to acquire one of the world’s largest online businesses (Yahoo) bears this out. Microsoft sees Google as a huge threat to their profits. Their attempt to thwart off the new giant in the industry which offers free gourmet food to all of it’s employees is a defensive and telling maneuver.

What this tells young entrepreneurs is that this would not be a good time to go into the software industry. If you want your business to be high tech, ground breaking, and relevant in the coming years, you’ve got to make sure that it’s accessible online.

Strong new business’s that fit this trend include: Internet fax, streaming video, email services, entertainment web pages, etc. Basically, if it’s web based you might be onto something.

Startup business creators who can understand the shifting technologies, not just following the trend, but see the trends a few years off will have enormous success in building strong and extremely fast growing businesses.

So you open a little store. Nothing too complicated. You’re running a business, but let’s face it, this isn’t rocket science. You need to create a profit and loss statement. But you don’t want to go spend all of that money on Microsoft Office just to create a spreadsheet. For a small business, using Office can be really expensive.

A recent article at Businessweek.com by Gene Marks points out the wonders of Google’s free business word processor and spreadsheet applications. Apparently, they also have a great desktop search application. They’ve got calendar, email, and analytics. You gotta’ give it to Google for sticking a thumb in the eye of Microsoft.

There are so many businesses like Google that are evening the playing field and making all businesses competitive, regardless of the size.

As I’ve outlined this week through Marks’ article, there are so many great options through technology to become a very strong and competitive small business.

One of the best ways to do this is through Internet Fax. It’s fast, easy, and inexpensive. Along with many other great technologies, you can be running a fast and efficient little money making machine, even with greater competition, and greater challenges as economic fluctuations are sure to come in the following months. Give it a try today.