Product Stage | One of the biggest challenges for software vendors is to manage the transformation through their product lifecycle – from early stage to growth, mature and decline stages of the product. This transformation is like crossing the chasm, as it demands varying combinations of skills, processes and disciplines throughout a product's lifecycle. ISVs also encounter a continuously changing marketplace in terms of the number of competitors, their strategies, product lines, pricing and profitability. These changes in the competitive market structure vary at different stages of product evolution. |  | EARLY STAGE | | GROWTH STAGE | | Begins with a robust new product idea The market is small and growing There are few or no competitors Finally, there are few beta customers | | Starts from a couple or more proven customers to a rapidly growing customer base Increasing competition in the market Focus on building customer relationships and increasing the number of customers Approach towards profitability | | more >> | | more >> | MATURE STAGE | | DECLINE STAGE | | Tremendous increase in the volume of sales The product is well established in the market Focus is on increasing market share and exploring newer markets Feature introductions to the product to differentiate from competing products | | The market is saturated with myriad products Re-focus on service and maintenance revenues rather than new-license revenues for old product lines The products become technologically obsolete Need for ISVs to focus on product innovation /diversification of product lines/ finding new uses and markets for the product. | | more >> | | more >> |
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