Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), managed services, service-oriented architectures (SOA), utility computing, hosting and offshore services are relatively new concepts that are already fundamentally changing how organizations operate and serve their customers.

At the same time, more traditional aspects of the IT service business are also gaining greater attention. For instance, Cisco Systems’ executives admitted that the depth of Scientific Atlanta’s systems integration skills was just as important as the quality of its Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) products when Cisco decided to acquire Scientific Atlanta in November 2005.

Wall Street is also recognizing the escalating value of IT services as exemplified by the acquisition of Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) just before Xmas by a consortium of private equity firms, following the lead of a similar investment group that acquired Sungard in June 2005.

These are trends that I’ve been commenting on in various trade publications for many years, and I’m now pleased to use this new forum to focus on these issues on an ongoing basis.

This blog is dedicated to tracking these trends, measuring their impact and offering insight and advice about how organizations can leverage these services and solution providers can deliver these new services profitably in an increasingly competitive environment.

I hope you find this blog interesting and valuable. I welcome your feedback and suggestions, as well as links and topics that you’d like to see added. You can learn more about THINKstrategies by visiting my website.