Micro ISV
Encyclopedia
A Micro-ISV a term coined by Eric Sink
, is an independent software vendor
with fewer than 10 or even just one software developer
. In such an environment the company owner develops software, manages sales and does public relations.
The term has come to mean more than just a "one-man shop," but any ISV with more than 10 employees is generally not considered a Micro-ISV. Small venture capital
-funded software shops are also generally not considered micro ISVs.
Some Micro-ISVs sell their software through the shareware
marketing model where potential customers can try the software before they buy it. The shareware
marketing model has become the dominant method of marketing packaged software with even the largest ISVs offering their enterprise solutions as trials via free download, e.g. Oracle's Oracle database.
's group of technical evangelists, Microsoft also has a dedicated MicroISV/Shareware Evangelist, Michael Lehman. Part of the Microsoft micro ISV technical evangelism program includes Project Glidepath, which is a kind of framework to assist micro ISVs in bringing a product from concept through development and on to market.
Although not specifically targeted at micro ISVs, the Microsoft Empower Program for ISVs are used by many micro ISVs. Microsoft Empower Program members are required to release at least one software title for Windows family of operating systems within 18 months of joining the program. The Microsoft Action Pack Subscription is similar to the Empower Program in some ways.
Alternatively, rapid application development PaaS
platforms like Wolf Frameworks
have partner programs specifically targeted towards Micro ISVs enabling them with software, hardware and even free development services.
is an annual event in the United States attended by many Micro-ISVs. The European Software Conference is also attended by many micro ISVs and is held in various locations throughout Europe. ISDEF (Independent Software Developer Forum) also hosts an industry event in Russia with many micro ISVs attending.
Eric Sink
Eric Sink is a software developer and writer. He is the author of Eric Sink on the Business of Software , a collection of essays from his blog and the "Business of Software" column for the Microsoft Developer Network. He founded SourceGear, which sells source control software for Microsoft...
, is an independent software vendor
Independent software vendor
Independent software vendor is a business term for companies specializing in making or selling software, designed for mass marketing or for niche markets...
with fewer than 10 or even just one software developer
Software developer
A software developer is a person concerned with facets of the software development process. Their work includes researching, designing, developing, and testing software. A software developer may take part in design, computer programming, or software project management...
. In such an environment the company owner develops software, manages sales and does public relations.
The term has come to mean more than just a "one-man shop," but any ISV with more than 10 employees is generally not considered a Micro-ISV. Small venture capital
Venture capital
Venture capital is financial capital provided to early-stage, high-potential, high risk, growth startup companies. The venture capital fund makes money by owning equity in the companies it invests in, which usually have a novel technology or business model in high technology industries, such as...
-funded software shops are also generally not considered micro ISVs.
Some Micro-ISVs sell their software through the shareware
Shareware
The term shareware is a proprietary software that is provided to users without payment on a trial basis and is often limited by any combination of functionality, availability, or convenience. Shareware is often offered as a download from an Internet website or as a compact disc included with a...
marketing model where potential customers can try the software before they buy it. The shareware
Shareware
The term shareware is a proprietary software that is provided to users without payment on a trial basis and is often limited by any combination of functionality, availability, or convenience. Shareware is often offered as a download from an Internet website or as a compact disc included with a...
marketing model has become the dominant method of marketing packaged software with even the largest ISVs offering their enterprise solutions as trials via free download, e.g. Oracle's Oracle database.
Micro-ISV Support Organizations
There are several support organizations geared towards micro ISVs, with the Association of Software Professionals (ASP) being the oldest and perhaps best known of them. Other organizations geared towards micro ISVs include the Association of Independent Software Industry Professionals (AISIP), and the Organization of Independent Software Vendors (OISV). Membership in each of these organizations is private with membership dues ranging from free for the OISV to $100.00 for the ASP for a general membership. Membership in each of the organizations is subject to review.Microsoft and Other Micro-ISV Outreach Efforts
Inside of MicrosoftMicrosoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
's group of technical evangelists, Microsoft also has a dedicated MicroISV/Shareware Evangelist, Michael Lehman. Part of the Microsoft micro ISV technical evangelism program includes Project Glidepath, which is a kind of framework to assist micro ISVs in bringing a product from concept through development and on to market.
Although not specifically targeted at micro ISVs, the Microsoft Empower Program for ISVs are used by many micro ISVs. Microsoft Empower Program members are required to release at least one software title for Windows family of operating systems within 18 months of joining the program. The Microsoft Action Pack Subscription is similar to the Empower Program in some ways.
Alternatively, rapid application development PaaS
Platform as a service
Platform as a service is a category of cloud computing services that provide a computing platform and a solution stack as a service...
platforms like Wolf Frameworks
Wolf Frameworks
Wolf Frameworks is a web application designing & development Platform as a Service based in India and United States and represented via partners worldwide....
have partner programs specifically targeted towards Micro ISVs enabling them with software, hardware and even free development services.
Industry Shows
The Software Industry ConferenceSoftware Industry Conference
The Software Industry Conference is an annual conference for Micro ISVs, software developers, e-commerce providers, software publishers, and others who work in the software industry. The Software Industry Conference is planned and implemented by the Shareware Industry Awards Foundation...
is an annual event in the United States attended by many Micro-ISVs. The European Software Conference is also attended by many micro ISVs and is held in various locations throughout Europe. ISDEF (Independent Software Developer Forum) also hosts an industry event in Russia with many micro ISVs attending.
External links
- MicroISV.com: A community for independent software developers
- 47hats.com: A microISV community web site/blog created by Bob Walsh
- The MicroISV Show: A microISV Channel 9 podcast from Microsoft with host Michael Lehman and co-host Bob Walsh
- The Business of Software: A discussion forum created by Joel Spolsky
- ISVSearch.com: A MicroISV themed Google Custom Search Engine
- Developer Resource: A Marketing Resource for MicroISVs