by: Richard Yawn

The ability to setup websites with content has been available and accepted for several years. There are also successful online CRM vendors. In addition, there are good solutions available for setting up store fronts and auctions. These types of solutions are software as a service, in many cases on demand, and in some cases they are composite to varying degrees. Some of the drivers for these types of solutions include quick availability and in many cases low cost - especially when in comparison to custom development.

For the past several years composite software has been developed that provides the ability to compose business solutions from web services very quickly. The author prefers to reference these solutions as macro composite. A more complete reference on this topic can be reviewed at http://www.compositesw.com/whatiseii/. Macro composition is viable due to the ability to assist low cost and provide architectures that reduce maintenance issues. The emphasis of macro composition is orchestrating existing functionality and seldom addresses the underlying micro composition of the business solution.

So, what is the business driver? Websites that produce websites usually provide static content with very little data capture. Businesses, however, also require websites with functionality and the data that is a result of that functionality. If there is not a predefined solution to satisfy that functionality, then custom development is usually required. In most cases custom development increases cost, takes longer to deliver, and is not easy to change. The business driver is flexible and quick delivery at a low cost.

So, what is the business need? At times there is the need for a disposable solution, which is only cost effective if provided quickly. In addition, there is also the need to provide long term solutions for complaint capture, workflow, which may include maintenance, purchase, or sales orders. Then, there are all of those other unique solutions that small businesses require. The business need is all of those business solutions that are not available through existing software as a service.

This leads into what the author refers to as micro composite. The ability to quickly define new solutions, promote existing solutions, or change solutions to solve business needs. This service is available through an on demand and composite software as a service provider. For a comprehensive representation of this, please see http://www.netprocesses.com.