Software Business Start-up Memories

RODERICK VAN CANN is Product Manager at Stabiplan, The Netherlands. SLINGER JANSEN is Assistant Professor of Information Systems, Utrecht University, The Netherlands. SJAAK BRINKKEMPER is Professor of Information Systems, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.

• List of Tables List of Figures Acknowledgements Preface Author Information Introduction The Software Start-up Decision Model The Early-life Decision Model Theoretical Background Stages of Growth Influence of Venture Capital Success Factors in New Ventures and Products The Influence of the Entrepreneur Decision Making Lessons of Software Entrepreneurs AFAS Customer Participation Sessions Scoping and Focus Licensing Consultancy  Other Wrong Decisions Summary DBS Approaching Software Vendors  Changing Company Focus Extending Product Range Wrong Decisions Summary Noldus Information Technology  Don't Limit Yourself to the Start Niche Being Open to Inventions from Others Opening Offices Abroad Community Building Wrong Decisions Summary Exact Vision Cash Flow Technology Choices Focus on Marketing Overcoming Problems  Other Wrong Decisions Summary Stabiplan Market Emergence and Vision  Introduce a Lite Version Taking Over the Biggest Competitor Focus Redesigning the Software Other Wrong Decisions Summary Sofon Standard software  Internationally Applicable Affiliation with Complementary Products Other Wrong Decisions Summary GX Software Focus Partnering Strategy Communication Internationalization Other Wrong Decisions  Summary Pallas Athena Focusing on Case Management versus Workflow Management Becoming a Software Company Global Orientation  Product Acquisition and Product Integration Transforming the Company Structure Other Wrong Decisions Summary ORTEC Starting  Product Development Internationalization Other Wrong Decisions Summary E-office Starting with a Dream Company Structure Mobile Human Behaviour Consultancy Start using Google Products How to Make Decisions Wrong Decisions Summary ChipSoft Management-by-event Product Choices Human Resources  Other  Wrong Decisions Summary Syntess Software Starting and Finding a Dealer Having a Goal Extra Office Company Culture Other Wrong Decisions Summary Planon Focusing on Software and Facility Management Become Market Leader Internationalization Product Positioning  Standardize the Implementation Method Wrong Decisions Summary Ultimo Software Solutions Maintenance Management and Flexibility Focus Switching Database Systems Widening and Deepening of the Product Company Culture Other Wrong Decisions Summary Centric  The Start of Centric Buying a Posting Company Rapid Expansion Partitioning the Company Other  Wrong Decisions Summary UNIT4 Focus on a Product Strategy Standardized Maintenance Balancing Short Term Decisions with Long Term Decisions Going Public Other Wrong Decisions Summary Decision Categories Shaping the Company Developing the Product Establishing the Market Going International What can be Learned from the Decision Categories The Early-life Decision Model for Software Entrepreneurs  Decision Analysis Business Model Canvas Managerial Growth Challenge Conceptualization for Small Software Firms Discussion Conclusion References Appendix – Early-life Decisions Overview