The technology marketplace has seen consistent growth in the acceptance of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) models, especially in terms of Web Content Management. However there is still some room for expansion and improvement, which the market is demanding, be included in forthcoming SaaS models and packages:

1. Customers Want More Than Just Software

Despite the original idea of SaaS being a limited hosting and outsourced utility, in fact, SaaS Web Content Management customers tend to see SaaS providers as a kind of outsourced consultancy with not only infrastructure but web design and development support as well. Not only are all hosted Web Content Management solutions different, but many customers want more services that in some cases take some of the weight off the shoulders of their IT team. Some vendors are already offering training services ranging from general to custom made.

2. Vendors Turn More to Implementation Partners

With the expanding customer needs, vendors are looking for more help from implementation partners and systems integrators for services such as custom development, CMS implementation and customer support, moving away from the more traditional in-house model. The implementation partner one chooses should help you extend and protect your brand.

3. Vendors Pay More Attention to Developers' Needs

With changing customer demands, open APIs will be a long-term trend among SaaS vendors. However, not all customers want to outsource their web development. Developers also want more flexibility regarding the access and tools they are able to work with.

Whether using online or desktop IDE, developers want access on all CMS APIs and everything that goes with it. In response, some web content management SaaS vendors are trying to adapt and make their IDE tools more flexible. Others allow developers to work in their own common environment and then upload their work to the CMS via FTP.

To summarize, it may be said that web content management SaaS customers and all CMS customers in general should be cautious in this changing scenario and carefully weigh all pros and cons of using SaaS versus onsite content management.