ISVs large and small have already begun to transition software and cloud-based applications for use on mobile devices. An effective mobile strategy is increasingly important to success, so make sure you check out this unique industry event. Plus you can save $100 with the promotional code below!

All About Mobile features a robust conference agenda with keynotes from Microsoft and Sprint. You’ll network with top executives from ISVs, carriers, platform providers, and infrastructure providers — along with the industry’s leading analysts, venture capitalists and media — all gathering to explore, debate and discuss the mobile movement.

To take advantage of our $100 discount, enter promotional code PRMSWSL when you register online here. (Note: this discount is valid off the individual SIIA non-member rate only and does not apply to current attendees. You’ll save even more with early-bird rates through October 18)

For details, visit www.AllAboutMobile.net

Just a quick reminder about our upcoming webinar on Wednesday 18th August 2010 at 2pm AEST. We’ll be looking at a sample of online software for professional services firms.

This is an official event as part of Energise Enterprise, the Victorian small business festival.

Register now

Places are limited, so if you’d like to take part, please register below:

SoftwareShortlist.com is currently looking for alliance partners to help expand our unique service. Here’s the low down on how this may work for you…

• You get certified in software selection advice, extending your services capabilities for SMB customers.
• You get access to our proprietary methodology, patented tools and online products/resources to assist customers in selecting software.
• You get a service provider profile on the SoftwareShortlist.com website to get to new customers that you can service.
• Finally, you become a reseller for all of Software Shorlist’s online products. Earn commissions as you provide services.
• … and you earn more revenue by simply extending your offerings to existing and new SMB customers!

Sounds like an intriguing opportunity, don’t you think?

Of course, there are a few characteristics we are looking for in suitable candidates:

• Independent – you are not strongly aligned to a particular product or vendor and can keep an open mind in looking for appropriate software solutions
• Credible – you have a good reputation in your space, and your judgement and opinions would be trusted by those looking for software
• Capable – you have the capabilities to extend your services to advise customers on software selection

Interested companies and individuals are invited to review more details of our Certified Consultant Membership plan on our website. You may sign up directly or get in touch with us by emailing any questions to: partners@softwareshortlist.com.

This increase in uptake has come about through a strong need for service providers to raise awareness of their specialist expertise and to generate qualified leads. Currently there are very few options available to assist SME customers in finding the most competent IT service providers for thier specific needs. And, conversely, there are very few options available to IT service providers who would like to make easy direct contact with interested SME customers.

In response to this demand, Software Shortlist has now signed up service providers across a number of competences. This includes CRM software, ERP software, Accounting packages, BI software and the like. Software products are now listed on our website from across all of these areas.  This list was included in one of our recent News Postings.

If you know of any IT consulting organisation that may be interested in profiling themselves, to generate much needed contacts and leads, please let them know about our Service Provider Listing options.

Don’t make them wait until their competitors have already gained the upper hand!

While we’re there, we are setting aside time to meet with executives from organisations interested in partnering with us.

There are still some slots available if you’d like to meet. We are seeking partners to help us reach a large number of small businesses. In return, we can offer a range of benefits, including useful content, discounted access to services, co-promotion opportunities, and more. Sound interesting? Let’s talk…

Our recent press release about the trip is below:

Software Shortlist will soon be exploring inroads to the US market through ANZA Technology Network’s Gateway to the US Summit.

Culminating in a 3 day event in Silicon Valley in early October, the ANZA Gateway to the US program helps connect innovative Australian companies with potential investors and business partners in the world’s largest market.

As its name suggests, Software Shortlist helps small businesses make better software choices by providing a shortlist of relevant options.  Their online software comparison service dramatically reduces the time and money that businesses spend choosing software.

Software Shortlist co-founders Craig Westcott and Xavier Russo will both attend the event, which includes a five minute pitch and various networking sessions and business forums.

“Making a major impact in the US is a top priority for us. The US is home to many leading software companies and over 25 million small businesses,” said Craig Westcott.

While in Silicon Valley, the two founders have set aside time to meet with executives from organisations that are interested in partnering with Software Shortlist.

“We will be talking with organisations that reach large numbers of small businesses and want to help them boost productivity by applying the right software,” said Xavier Russo.

The Software Shortlist team will be in Silicon Valley from 3rd to 11th October. To arrange a meeting or to find out more, please email partners@softwareshortlist.com.

About Software Shortlist

Software Shortlist helps small businesses choose the right software. Services include a free software directory, online software recommendation and comparison tool, articles and publications, and independent software selection consulting. Software Shortlist gratefully acknowledges the support of the Australian Government’s “Commercialising Emerging Technology” (COMET) program. For more information, please visit www.softwareshortlist.com

About ANZA Technology Network

ANZA Technology Network is the leading independent organization connecting the Australian, New Zealand and US technology and biotechnology sectors. Through its Gateway and Fast Track to the US programs ANZA has assisted hundreds of Australian and New Zealand companies as they enter the US market—more than any other non-government organization. For more information: http://www.anzatechnet.com/

“Producers can now find the business software they need at the click of a button”

So proclaimed a recent Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fishing (DPI&F)  press release about our new selection tool for farm software.

First, the backstory…

Software on the Farm

This story actually began last year, when we found a research study conducted by JoAnn Resing at the DPI&F.  She’d just published a comprehensive directory of agricultural software, a weighty tome by the name of The Australian Farmer’s Guide to Software.

 
Since we were in the midst of building SoftwareShortlist, we figured that farmers might need a hand working out which of the 600+ software products was best for them. We got in touch with the JoAnn, and received a good reception to the idea.

Software selection tool hits the news

So it was great to see that our recent launch of SoftwareShortlist.com, including livestock recordkeeping software, was well regarded by the good folks at the DPI&F:

“That’s where Australian ingenuity enters the picture. A group of Australian entrepreneurs came across the farm software guide and decided to take this data to the next level, producing an interactive software selection tool that is now loaded with business software for the agricultural industry.”

A touch of mystery

The DPI&F press release went on to say a bunch of nice things about this new interactive selection tool for farm software, but owing (we suspect) to a government policy about not explicitly endorsing commercial providers, it didn’t actually mention our name or how to find the tool.  

Now, we like a bit of mystery as much as the next guy…  but when it comes to our newly launched farm software comparison tool we’d like farmers everywhere to know exactly where to find it. Hopefully our own press release can work in tandem with the DPI&F release to help farmers discover this new tool.  

But if you see any farmers still wandering around looking for this mysterious farm software selection tool, feel free to send them our way!

In other news, it’s been a busy month since our last blog post. While we had hoped to be live before now, the decision has been made to set up additional content and products before turning on the platform, which means we will launch early in 2009.

Key outcomes in the past month include:

• Our web platform is ready to go, with testing finalised and hosting in the US.
• The setting up of software vendors on the system is well underway, with a healthy number on board for Time Tracking; and Farm Management software.
• Step-by-step guidelines for vendors have been written as part of this process, including Vendor Sign-up Activities and Setting up Google Analytics.
• A base of articles have been commissioned on specific software topics. This will be expanded over time – and you can submit your own for inclusion too.
• Initial work has also started on reviewing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Accounting software for small to medium businesses. An interim report has been sent out to participants in our CRM software survey, and this research is continuing so if you haven’t taken part yet, please do so.

We have also been reviewing and updating our business plan. It’s been a year since we first wrote it, and while the fundamentals still hold true, there have been a number of important changes and lessons learned since then. Among other things, an advisory board is being put in place to provide us with expert input on key areas, provide a fresh perspective, and to challenge our thinking on the business.

There is also some other exciting news in the pipeline. We can’t reveal details just yet but stay tuned…

So, from all of us at SoftwareShortlist, have a wonderful Christmas and festive season. We’ll see you in the new year!

Are you a consulting or advisory firm specialising in a particular industry vertical?

Do you help companies in your niche improve their operations and processes?

Are you looking to grow your revenue beyond just “head-hours”?

If so, we should talk!

SoftwareShortlist.com is currently looking for strategic alliance partners to help expand our unique service across all industry niches.

Here’s the low down on how we see it working:

• Using your industry expertise and our proprietary approach, you review, assess, and select a target list of the best software products in your industry niche
• Together we approach the vendors to sign them up to participate in SoftwareShortlist’s unique software recommendation and comparison service
• You set up and maintain their profiles and content on SoftwareShortlist
• We cooperate on marketing initiatives to drive traffic to products in your niche
• …. and you earn a share of that niche’s profits (for as long as you maintain it)

Sounds like an intriguing opportunity, don’t you think?

Of course, there are a few characteristics we are looking for in suitable candidates:

• Independent – you are not aligned to a particular product or vendor and can keep an open mind in looking for appropriate software solutions
• Credible – you have a strong reputation in this industry and your judgement and opinions would be trusted by those looking for software
• Capable – you have the resources and capabilities to review, select, sell, and set up products in a relatively autonomous fashion
• Entrepreneurial – you have the drive and confidence to deliver great results in return for profit share

Suitably qualified companies and individuals are invited to get in touch with us by emailing a quick overview of themselves and why they are interested in this opportunity to:  partners@softwareshortlist.com