In 1996 everyone wanted a website. Today everyone wants an app.
Why a High-End Software Maker Pursues App Companies
selling expensive software to businesses, lucrative as it may be, is becoming a less reliable way of staying on top of trends in computing. As employees use tablets and smartphones both at home and work, and as desktop software moves to the Web, the lines between consumer and business customers are blurring.... Autodesk's consumer offerings are either free and supported by advertising, or they cost one or two dollars to purchase in app stores, while its typical software packages retail for thousands. ...... Historically, IT innovation started in big organizations, such as the military and large companies, and trickled its way down. But today, Bass argues, software trends are starting at the level of individual users ..... "I get more mail from people who have bought SketchBook and Pixlr for 99 cents than some of our $5,000 applications," he says. "The letter always starts: 'Dear Mr. Bass, I paid 99 cents for SketchBook and when I did, I expected it would have this filter or do this.' I rarely get that around our $5,000 professional products. For 99 cents, people feel very entitled."
