Syftet med studien är att undersöka vilken affärsmodell som born globals använder vid internationalisering och vilka faktorer som påverkar valet av modell. Studien har använt sig av en kvalitativ forskningsmetod och har genomförts som en fallstudie. Vidare utgörs studien av semistrukturerade intervjuer. Studien kommer fram till att born globals vid internationalisering har en affärsmodell som är freemium och att det resursbaserade synsättet samt bransch är viktiga bakomliggande faktorer till valet av affärsmodell. Faktorerna globalisering och entrepenören har mindre direkt påverkan medan nätverk endast har en begränsad påverkan i valet av affärsmodell för born globals vid internationalisering. / The purpose of this study is to examine the business model that Born Globals use during their internationalization, and the factors that influence the choice of model. The study has used a qualitative research method and has been implemented as a case study. Furthermore, the study consists of semi-structured interviews. The study concluded that the internationalization of born globals has a freemium business model, and that the resource-based approach, and industry are important factors behind the choice of business model. Less direct impact has globalization and entrepreneur while networks have only a limited impact on the choice of business model for internationalization of born globals.

The thesis is focused on the analysis of presently offered products supporting Business Intelligence (BI) which are affordable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Current BI solutions available to SMEs are mostly offered via Cloud computing, specifically in the form of Software as a Service (SaaS) as it requires low initial acquisition costs. The objectives of this thesis are to analyse the work in applications for BI in cloud that can be used by SMEs and to analyse in detail the comparison the worldwide extended reporting tools distributed as SaaS in the lower price category. The theoretical part provides a description of the Cloud computing and the BI system. In the practical part are selected following products: IBM Watson Analytics, Qlik Sense Cloud, Zoho Reports, Tableau Public and Microsoft Power BI. Practical testing of these applications was based on evaluation of the selected metrics with weights calculated by using the Fuller's triangle. Analyses and the information form the basis for comparison of selected applications. The contribution of this thesis is in discovering the strengths and weaknesses of these BI solutions. The output of this thesis can be used as a source for the selection of BI applications for SMEs.

Modern business applications are getting increasingly distributed as multi-tenant software as a service (SaaS). This leads to new challenges in terms of quality assurance, because all customers are directly affected by software changes. The resulting problem is to proactively determinate evolutionary effects. Because SaaS applications are often realized in the sense of a software product line, this thesis examines ways of using feature models to face the mentioned problem. For this purpose, two approaches are analyzed: extended feature models with quality attributes annotated per feature and the analysis of structural aspects of feature models and corresponding concrete configurations. The presented attributed feature model approach measures the quality of concrete configurations to make configurations comparable according to specific quality goals. Criteria are elicited for when configurations can be compared to draw helpful conclusions. The structural approach focuses economic questions that are quality assurance related, such as identifying features that none of the tenants selected in their application configurations. Furthermore, three algorithms are presented that demonstrate the structural analysis approach to gather information relevant to quality assurance.

Cloud Computing is becoming increasingly popular, with large amounts of corporations revenue coming in from various cloud solutions offered to customers. When it comes to choosing a solution, multiple options exist for the same problem from many competitors. This report focuses on the ones offered by Microsoft in their Azure platform, and compares the architectures in terms of performance and scalability.In order to determine the most suitable architecture, three offered by Azure are considered: Cloud Services (CS), Service Fabric Mesh (SFM) and Virtual Machines (VM). By developing and deploying a REST Web API to each service and performing a load test, average response times in milliseconds are measured and compared. To determine scalability, the point at which each service starts timing out requests is identified. The services are tested both by scaling up, by increasing the power of a single instance of a machine, and by scaling out, if possible, by duplicating instances of machines running in parallel.The results show that VMs fall considerably behind both CS and SFM in both performance and scalability, for a regular use case. For low amounts of requests, all services perform about the same, but as soon as the requests increase, it is clear that both SFM and CS outperform VMs. In the end, CS comes ahead both in terms of scalability and performance.Further research may be done into other platforms which offer the same service solutions, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud, or other architectures within Azure. / Molntjänster blir alltmer populära i dagens industri, där stora mängder av företagens omsättning består av tjänster erbjudna i form av molnlösningar. När det kommer till att välja en lösning finns många för samma problem, där det är upp till kunden att välja vilken som passar bäst. Denna rapport fokuserar på tjänster erbjudna av Microsofts Azure plattform, i en jämförelse av arkitekturer som belastningstestas för att mäta prestanda och skalbarhet.För att avgöra vilken arkitektur som är optimalast mäts tre olika tjänster erbjudna i Azure: Cloud Services (CS), Service Fabric Mesh (SFM) och Virtual Machines (VM). Detta görs genom att utveckla och deploya ett REST Web API som är simulerat med användare, där prestanda mäts genom att ta medelresponstiden i millisekunder per anrop. För att avgöra skalbarhet identifieras en punkt där tjänsten inte längre klarar av antalet inkommande anrop och börjar returnera felkoder. Maskinerna för varje tjänst testas både genom att skala upp, genom att förstärka en maskin, men även genom att skala ut, där det skapas flera instanser av samma maskin.Resultatet visar att Virtual Machines hamnar betydligt efter både CS och SFM i både prestanda och skalbarhet för ett vanligt användarfall. För låga mängder anrop ligger samtliga tjänster väldigt lika, men så fort anropen börjar öka så märks det tydligt att SFM och CS presterar bättre än Virtual Machines. I slutändan ligger CS i framkant, både i form av prestanda och skalbarhet.Vidare undersökning kan göras för de olika plattformarna erbjudna av konkurrenter, så som Amazon Web Services (AWS) och Google Cloud, samt andra arkitekturer från Azure.

One of the single biggest challenges for start-ups is to find the necessary funding to achieve growth. Software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies are no different and rely on seed stage investments to build and develop a service in order to acquire paying customers. Given the need of external investments, SaaS companies heavily depend on their valuation for each given investor. The purpose of this study was to investigate the main value determinants for seed stage SaaS company valuations. Hence, the research question at issue was “What are the main value determinants for seed stage SaaS company valuations?”. This study was delimited to seed stage SaaS companies with a business to business (B2B) service offering in Sweden. This qualitative research was carried out through semi-structured in-depth interviews with seed stage SaaS B2B founders and investors operating in Sweden. The primary results of the qualitative research show that the main value determinants can be divided into three main factors. Firstly, external factors, such as the region, industry, and market that the company is operating within. Secondly, company factors include team and founder characteristics, firm characteristics, SaaS metrics and financials, and partnership and alliances. Thirdly, investor factors, including investor type as well as reputation and value-add. Following the findings, similarities and differences with literature were discussed. Based on the results, a revised framework including the main value determinants for seed stage SaaS company valuation was developed. The conclusion of this study is that seed stage SaaS company valuations vary among investor types. The valuation tends to not be bound to a specific valuation method, but rather a process where an overall evaluation is made from a set of criteria, which leads up to the valuation process where the final valuation is set. / En av de största utmaningarna för nystartade företag är att genomföra extern kapitalanskaffning för att uppnå tillväxt. Det gäller även för SaaS-företag (Software-as-a-service) vilka är beroende av investeringar i seed stage (fröstadiet) för att bygga upp och utveckla tjänster för att erhålla betalande kunder. Givet behovet av externa investeringar är SaaS-företag starkt beroende av dess värdering från investerare. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka de viktigaste värdedeterminanterna för värdering av SaaS-bolag i seed stage. Forskningsfrågan var således "Vilka är de viktigaste värdedeterminanterna för värderingar av SaaS-företag i seed stage?". Studien avgränsades till SaaS-företag som erbjuder B2B-tjänster i Sverige. Denna kvalitativa studie genomfördes genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med seed stage SaaS B2B-grundare och investerare som är verksamma i Sverige. De övergripande resultaten visar att de viktigaste värdedeterminanterna kan delas in i tre huvudfaktorer: externa faktorer, företagsfaktorer, och investerarfaktorer. Externa faktorer avser region, bransch, och marknad inom vilka företaget är verksamt. Företagsfaktorer inkluderar teamet och grundarnas egenskaper, företagets egenskaper, SaaS-mått och finansiella data, samt partnerskap och allianser. Investerarfaktorer avser typen av investerare samt investerarens rykte och mervärde. Utfallet från intervjuerna jämfördes med resultat från tidigare litteratur. Baserat på intervjuresultaten utvecklades ett reviderat ramverk med de viktigaste värdedeterminanterna för värdering av SaaS-bolag i seed stage. Slutsatsen av denna studie är att värdering av SaaS-företag i seed stage varierar mellan olika investerartyper. Värderingen tenderar att inte vara bunden till en specifik värderingsmetod, utan en process där en övergripande utvärdering görs baserat på en uppsättning av kriterier, vilket resulterar i en slutgiltig värdering.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Software as a Service (SaaS) – which is a deployment model of cloud computing – is a developing trend in technology that brings with it new potential opportunities and consequently potential risk to enterprise. These incremental risks need to be identified in order to assist in risk management and therefore information technology (IT) governance. IT governance is a cornerstone of enterprise-wide corporate governance. For many entities corporate governance has become a statutory requirement, due to the implementation of legislation such as Sarbanes-Oxley Act of the United States of America. The research aims to assist in the IT governance of SaaS, by identifying risks and possible controls. By means of an in-depth literature review, the study identified 30 key risks relating to the use and implementation of SaaS from the user’s perspective. Different governance and risk frameworks were considered, including CobiT and The Risk IT Framework. In the extensive literature review, it was found that CobiT would be the most appropriate framework to use in this study. Mapping the risks and technologies from the user's perspective to one or more of the processes of the CobiT framework, the research found that not all processes where applicable. Merely 18 of 34 CobiT processes where applicable. The study endeavoured to identify possible controls and safeguards for the risks identified. By using the technologies and risks that were mapped to the CobiT processes, a control framework was developed which included 11 key controls to possibly reduce, mitigate or accept the risks identified. Controls are merely incidental if it is not linked to a framework. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Software as a Service (SaaS) – ‘n ontplooiingsmodel van cloud computing – is ‘n ontwikkelende tegnologiese tendens wat verskeie moontlikhede, maar daarby ook verskeie risiko’s vir ondernemings inhou. Hierdie addisionele risiko’s moet geïdentifiseer word om te help met die bestuur van risiko’s en daarom ook die beheer van Informasie Tegnologie (IT). IT beheer is ‘n belangrike deel van die grondslag van ondernemingswye korporatiewe beheer. As gevolg van die implimentering van wetgewing soos die Sarbanes-Oxley wetsontwerp van die Verenigde State van Amerika, het korporatiewe beheer ‘n statutêre vereiste geword vir verskeie ondernemings. Hierdie studie poog om die IT beheer van SaaS by te staan, deur risiko’s en moontlike beheermaatreëls te identifiseer. Deur middel van ‘n indiepte literatuur ondersoek het die studie 30 sleutelrisiko’s geïdentifiseer wat verband hou met die gebruik en implimentering van SaaS vanuit ‘n gebruikersoogpunt. Verskeie korporatiewe- en risiko raamwerke, insluitende CobiT en The Risk IT Framework, was oorweeg. Die literatuur ondersoek het egter bevind dat CobiT die mees toepaslikste raamwerk vir dié studie sal wees. Deur die risiko’s en tegnologieë vanuit ‘n gebruikers perspektief te laat pas met een of meer CobiT prosesse, het die navorsing bevind dat nie alle prosesse in CobiT van toepassing is nie. Slegs 18 van die 34 prosesse was van toepassing. Die studie het ook gepoog om moontlike beheer- en voorsorgmaatreëls vir die risiko’s te identifiseer. Deur die tegnologieë en risiko’s te gebruik wat gepas is teen die CobiT prosesse, is ‘n beheer raamwerk ontwikkel wat 11 sleutel beheermaatreëls insluit, wat die geïdentifiseerde risiko’s kan verminder, temper of aanvaar. Beheermaatreëls is slegs bykomstig as dit nie direk aan ‘n raamwerk gekoppel is nie.

The thesis provides legal insight of the Cloud computing with a particular focus on a specific cloud service called software as a service (SaaS). There are discussed all cloud services and distribution models of the cloud infrastructure as well as its legal aspects. The thesis analyses legal requirements of contractual provisions for a provision of the SaaS services. The substantial part deals also with types of licenses, which can be used in relation to the provision of the SaaS services. The practical part of the thesis firstly contains above all the legal framework of data protection and its legal requirements on contractual relation between provider and customer of the cloud Services. Secondly the abovementioned part provides a comparison between contractual provisions related to the processing and protection of data between two contracts, Google Apps for Work and Microsoft Office 365. Keywords Cloud computing, cloud, software as a service (SaaS), data protection, contract

A Computação em Nuvem (CN) tem potencial para transformar grande parte do setor de Tecnologia da Informação (TI). Sua evolução ao longo dos últimos anos, certamente é tida como um dos maiores avanços na história da computação. Ela vem ganhando espaço significativo como um modelo bem sucedido ao prometer economia, facilidade de uso e maior flexibilidade no controle de como os recursos são usados, a qualquer momento e em qualquer lugar, para entregar a capacidade computacional desejada. A proposta de valor capturada pelo modelo da CN é que os recursos não ficam mais ociosos a maior parte do tempo, sendo agora quase totalmente utilizados (com menores custos unitários). Esta pesquisa tem por objetivo compreender como são tomadas as decisões para aquisição, contratação e operação dos serviços de CN em organizações de grande porte atuando no Brasil. Para alcançar este objetivo foi elaborado um Método de Análise para adoção da CN a partir de elementos extraídos da literatura. Fatores associados à adoção da CN como vantagens, desafios, riscos e barreiras e capacidades essenciais dos gestores para atingir objetivos de negócios (BOB), desempenhar a gestão da função TI (MNG), dispor dos atributos da qualidade dos serviços (QAS) e tomar decisões de arquitetura (ARC), consideradas essenciais para a operação das áreas de TI das organizações, estão entre estes elementos. O trabalho também investigou como a CN pode contribuir para o alinhamento estratégico da TI ao negócio destas organizações. A metodologia utilizada é o estudo de casos múltiplos, com a aplicação do Método de Análise em quatro organizações, onde foram entrevistados os principais executivos da área de TI capazes de influenciar decisões para adotar ou aprofundar a adoção da nuvem. Os resultados obtidos mostraram a viabilidade e a aplicabilidade do Método de Análise. Ao mapear os fatores associados à adoção, o processo de decisão pode ser mais bem compreendido, possibilitando às organizações melhor estruturar o processo de aprovação e de adoção propriamente dito. Também pôde ser observado nos casos estudados de que forma se deu a contribuição da adoção da nuvem para o alinhamento estratégico da TI ao negócio. / Cloud Computing (CC) is potentially able to change a major part of Information Technology (IT) industry. Its evolution over the past few years is certainly one of the greatest advancements in the history of computing. Cloud Computing has been gaining ground as a successful model as it promises economic savings, easiness of use and greater flexibility in the control of resource use, anytime and anywhere, while delivering the required computing power. CC model value proposition is that resources are no longer idle most of the time, as they are almost used to the fullest (with lower unit costs). The purpose of this research is to understand how the decisions are made for the purchase, hiring and operation of CC services in large organizations operating in Brazil. In order to achieve this objective, we prepared an Analysis Method to adopt CC based on elements found in literature. Such elements are those factors associated to the adoption of CC such as advantages, challenges, risks and barriers and core capabilities for managers to achieve business objectives (BOB), perform management of IT function (MNG), provide quality of services (QAS) and manage architecture decisions (ARC), considered essential for operation of IT areas of organizations. The study also investigated how CC can contribute with IT strategic alignment with business of these organizations. The methodology employed is multiple cases study, applying the Analysis Method in four organizations, through interviews with main IT executives capable of influencing decisions to adopt or increase cloud adoption. The results obtained show feasibility and applicability of Analysis Method. By mapping factors associated with adoption, the decision making process may be better understood, allowing organizations to better structure approval process and the adoption itself. In cases studied it is possible to note how the adoption of cloud computing contributes with strategic alignment of IT with business.

This thesis deals with Software as a Service (SaaS) and Web 2.0 as current trends related toInternet applications, and examines their use in travel industry. It appeared that SaaS is truly promising, especially thanks to on-demand CRM systems. And also that aspects of Web 2.0 bring commercial successes to web projects through indirect effects.

Information technologies develop very quickly. And in the same way should be changed the companie's attitude to them. But the question is whether this is actually happening. If the companies and their employees are able to adapt to new technologies as quickly as these technologies arise. One of the phenomena of recent years is delivering applications through Software As A Service (SaaS). This concept is closely linked with the issue of Cloud computing and its use can be solved by outsourcing corporate IT structure. So here we meet three very exposed concepts. But their terms are often used confused or in the wrong context. This work focuses on explaining these concepts in the context of business intelligence and analysis on the aspects that affect them. In particular, cloud computing is a modern concept, which everyone talks about but only few people know exactly what it means and what it could bring to a particular company. This work helps to answer these questions and it helps to sort out the context and framework within which the possible changes in the corporate IT infrastructure should be discussed to make decisions. The first part is focused on basic lighting of these concepts and their insertion into mutual context. The second part is then devoted to current trends in this area so that conclusions for a prediction of the expected development in the coming years can be drawn.