WorkXpress has been validated as the category leader in the emerging non-programmatic Platform as a Service (PaaS) space. PaaS is a key component of the next wave of IT growth, called “Cloud Computing”.

In short, WorkXpress allows people with little programming or systems administration training to build, deploy and maintain sophisticated web based applications, spanning functions such as sales, inventory, accounting and much more. They can power those applications “in the cloud”. The resulting value to the customer is significant, and has been witnessed to be as high as a 70-90% savings over traditional IT solutions.

Because of tremendous change occurring in the industry today, non-application focused technology companies for the first time have the opportunity to participate in this enormous market, leveraging a new type of tool called “Platform as a Service”, without having to invest heavily in R&D or professional services staff. The revenue opportunity of adding these products and services to an existing stable of offerings is significant.

Gartner has recently predicted the Cloud Computing space will rise to $160 Billion by 2012, with Merrill Lynch estimating $154 Billion. This represents sizeable short-term growth over the current <$20 Billion estimate.

The percentage of the Cloud Computing space held by PaaS is not yet clear – estimates range as high as 40%; however, PaaS is a critical and widely discussed component.

Some recent WorkXpress PaaS implementations include a highly customized CRM tool for Tex Visions, a bar-coded assembly and shipping system for RT Grim and finally a complete and customized ERP package for Oven Industries.

The problems with software are widely documented, but, generally, represent lack of satisfaction with features, costs and deployment time frames. Further, because of the difficulties in building and utilizing software effectively, there is a very low penetration of software in business today.

The opportunity for customers in choosing a PaaS provider is three-fold; (1) to reduce software deployment costs by ~70%; (2) to cut operations costs through increased software utilization; and (3) to increase revenues through increased software utilization.

Studies show that for every 1 person who writes programming code, there are 1000 people who can work in visual computing languages like WorkXpress. The real value is to empower 1,000 lower-cost individuals to accomplish what today only 1 higher-paid individual can accomplish. In addition, they are able to accomplish the same objectives using 70% fewer person-hours.

WorkXpress has witnessed the value proposition clearly and first hand as their customers have made statements like; “we never thought we could have this level of software for our business”; “it’s the best thing we ever did for our business” and “the solution is phenomenal.”

WorkXpress is willing to provide a private labeled version of its platform coupled with full training and support; including how to market, sell and deliver services around WorkXpress. The result will be an extension to the current set of offerings to include:

1. Ordered List ItemThe platform itself, sold standalone to customers
2. A wide range of pre-built software applications including; CRM, ERP, Project Management and others
3. Integrations with such tools as VOIP telephony systems,
4. The ability to customize
5. The ability to provide professional services around the platform

By adding this tool to a current portfolio of products and services, a powerful and high-margin revenue opportunity is placed in the hands of sales representatives.

There are many competitors for business software solutions spanning traditional and emerging categories. These include; traditional “off-the-shelf” solutions, custom-built solutions and the growing “software as a service” (SaaS) solutions. These are all methods of delivering the exact same types of functionality to business.

Specific competitors judged as most strategic to include SaaS/PaaS providers Salesforce.com, Longjump, Zoho, and Intuit (“Quickbase”). Also strategic are custom development tools provider Microsoft. Finally, PaaS development tools provider Google (App Engine) is likely to emerge as a strategic competitor.

WorkXpress has very distinct advantage in this space, which has been validated by entrenched VAR’s, customers, prospects, industry writers and even a leading industry analyst.

Put simply, WorkXpress is the only development tool set known today that can enable a high level of application sophistication without programming. Some tools have sophistication of resulting application, some tools have non-programmatic capability; WorkXpress has both.

Additionally, WorkXpress has developed and is willing to train methods for delivering professional services around WorkXpress that are efficient and highly effective in generating positive customer interactions.

Despite significantly increased attention, the macro environment is such that PaaS is still in an early adopter stage, and is likely to remain there for 12-24 months before the middle adopters begin to enter. The opportunity is to ride the significant wave of growth projected for this space in the coming years by cultivating a competency today, and emerging as a leader in the space in the very near future.

Under a private labeling opportunity, WorkXpress will help to develop this competency internally.

WorkXpress’s revenue model is designed around recurring monthly user license and support fees. An additional opportunity is to provide professional services; however, this work can initially be handled by WorkXpress or shifted to a VAR network if desired.

Our retail per-user fee is $50/user/month. The wholesale rates provided to channel partners vary based on a sliding scale, and there are other user licensing options available for unique circumstances.

The WorkXpress team is led by Treff LaPlante, an industry veteran of such companies as Blizzard-Activision and eBay (HomesDirect). The development team is led by Drew McLain, a top-notch developer with deep experience with each of the key enabling technologies that power WorkXpress.