Soft launch can be used in regards to either the method for launching a missile or the release of a product or service.

Missile launch

Soft launching is the method of launching a missile (such as an anti-tank guided missile

Anti-tank guided missile

An anti-tank missile , anti-tank guided missile , anti-tank guided weapon or anti-armor guided weapon is a guided missile primarily designed to hit and destroy heavily-armored military vehicles....

) in such a way that the rocket motor ignites outside of the launch tube; the missile is ejected non-explosively. The point is to minimize the risk of damage to the launcher by maintaining a safe distance. Contrast this with hard launch

Hard launch

Hard launching is a term used to describe a launch system of a guided missile, wherein the missile's rocket is ignited while still inside the launch assembly or tube. This is technically simpler than soft launching but produces a large backblast area....

ing. A similar concept called cold launch was pioneered by the Soviets for application in vertical launch system clusters on board ships.

Product / service launch

A soft launch may also refer to the release of a website

Website

A website, also written as Web site, web site, or simply site, is a collection of related web pages containing images, videos or other digital assets. A website is hosted on at least one web server, accessible via a network such as the Internet or a private local area network through an Internet...

, hotel

Hotel

A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...

, or other product

Product

- Business :*Product , an item that ideally satisfies a market's want or need**Product , a deliverable or set of deliverables that contribute to a business solution**Nanoproduct, a product that has been enhanced with nanotechnology...

 or service to a limited audience. Soft-launching is a method for gathering data on a product's usage and acceptance in the marketplace

Marketplace

A marketplace is the space, actual, virtual or metaphorical, in which a market operates. The term is also used in a trademark law context to denote the actual consumer environment, ie. the 'real world' in which products and services are provided and consumed.-Marketplaces and street markets:A...

, before making it generally available as a hard launch or grand opening

Grand opening

Grand opening is a term used when a business, public office, or private association wishes to announce the official opening of a new location. This differs from just opening the doors on the first day, in that a grand opening is more of a celebration event, not just the first day having the doors...

. Companies may choose a soft launch to test the viability of a product or to fine tune a product before implementing a larger marketing

Marketing

Marketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments...

 effort.

Computer related

When implementing a soft launch strategy, a company releases a product with little or no marketing. A soft launch permits a company to react to customer demands quickly and effectively, introducing new features which will ultimately make the product successful. For companies with a limited marketing budget, a soft launch can allow them to focus on product development rather than marketing.

Website

Soft launches can be used with websites help rollout new features, test or tweak a design (or possible redesign) allowing a design which users dislike to be quietly retired. Changes can also be made to increase the functionality of the website and respond to user requests. Gmail

History of Gmail

The public history of Gmail dates back to 2004. Gmail, a free, advertising-supported webmail service with support for Email clients, is a product from Google...

 for example was soft launched in 2005 and only fully launched years later.

Hardware

In the instance of hardware products, a limited release soft launch can be used to test the market prior to a wide scale release. It also means allows companies to make last minute changes to the product after the soft launch. In many instances, soft launches of hardware are done in major metropolitan areas, where the company has access to a wide variety of demographic groups.

Software

Soft launches are also used for software, with a small release being made to a limited group of individuals for beta testing. Software can be extensively tested by the releasing company, but ultimately it needs to be used to determine how effective it is. Major flaws in the design may emerge during beta testing and can be corrected before the product is released into a major market.

Some software is soft launched on the Internet, which allows for easy software updates

Patch (computing)

A patch is a piece of software designed to fix problems with, or update a computer program or its supporting data. This includes fixing security vulnerabilities and other bugs, and improving the usability or performance...

. Early beta testers can grow attached to the program, and will continue to download new versions as they are released. Thus, companies often build up a loyal customer base which spreads the word to other potential customers.