September 14, 2007 (Dulles, VA) - The Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model, although popular for CRM applications, is not how most small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) prefer to access their business management solutions, concludes an August 2007 Forrester Research Report, “Competition Intensifies for the SMB ERP Customer.” For this reason, vendors who offer SMB customers the maximum flexibility in how they implement their solutions stand to see stronger growth in this key segment, according to Edwin Miller, president and CEO of Everest Software, Inc. (Everest).

The Forrester survey found that the majority of SMBs are not yet ready for SaaS. In fact, of the total surveyed, 60 percent said they had no interest in accessing their ERP applications via SaaS, while only 11 percent use or plan to use SaaS within the next year. However, those that do noted that they look to Everest and NetSuite for end-to-end offerings.

“This finding from a leading industry analyst firm validates our position that SMB customers cannot live on SaaS alone,” said Miller. “While this ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach does benefit some end-users, it simply doesn’t allow flexibility for more complex businesses needing a customized solution, seeking to control their data or to build their own processes.”

Such customers typically have multiple sales channels or a large inventory, and want an ERP platform that is fully integrated with both their ecommerce and CRM modules. For most software vendors, having all their customers on one platform is preferable, but this model simply doesn’t cater to customers who want to control and manage their business on their own terms, according to Miller.

“SMB customers need to have the flexibility to run their business their way, and they can do that with both our hosted or on-premise offerings,” he added. “They control their data always and can map it to their specific processes versus having to house their data outside their company. Unlike traditional SaaS offerings, our hybrid model is about more than technology; it’s about offering a choice. If customers want to outsource both their IT and applications, they can. If they want to outsource just the IT and run their own applications, they can. And if they want to run it all, they can do that, too. With Everest, they never lose control of their data and their business.”

Everest’s Small Business Operating System is a fully-integrated suite of applications, either on-premise or on-demand, that provides SMBs with a virtual dashboard view across the full spectrum of their operations. It also empowers them to transform and grow their business from traditional retail to “e-tail,” Miller added.

“While Forrester’s findings confirm our own -- that customers perceive Everest as a preferred SaaS provider – it’s ultimately not about SaaS, it’s about providing the customer what they need and how they need it, while they retain control over their growth and future success,” he said. “A Small Business Operating System, whether implemented on-premise or on-demand, helps them achieve this goal through improved employee productivity, workflow, and cost savings and, therefore, increased competitiveness.”

About Everest
Everest Software empowers companies to view and manage every function of their business more effectively. The company’s fully-integrated business management software application, Everest, addresses the unique needs of growing small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the wholesale/distribution and retail industries by allowing them to quickly manage and track their business operations online and offline -- from storefront to the front- and back- office.

Everest Software is committed to providing customers with the service, support and expertise they require to increase efficiency and profitability with a solution that provides an unmatched rapid return on investment. Everest Software was a finalist for a 2006 American Business Award in the category “Best New Computer Software Product” and is the proud winner of numerous awards including the SIIA Codie Award for ”Best Business Software Product.” For more information, please visit www.everestsoftwareinc.com, e-mail us at info@everestsoftwareinc.com or call us at 1.800.382.0725.