5. Hosted solutions.
SaaS (software-as-a-service) provides applications on a subscription basis over the Internet, and is often a great way to add capability without the costs associated with software acquisition and support staff. SaaS offerings can be found in content management, metadata management, editorial workflow solutions, mobile delivery frameworks, e-commerce—you name it. SaaS is not a panacea, however: You have less customization available to you than if you licensed and installed the software yourself, and you have to keep your data on someone else's server—which gives many publishers the willies. However, it does get you started without a lot of cash. Then, you can prove the viability of your digital programs, which will allow you to make the business case for a capital investment of software.