The software industry is in a fast-paced league of its own. The drive to have the highest level of speed, the highest level of flexibility in strategic planning, and the need to manage talent of a different generation and mindset, make it truly unique. Few possess as much experience showing software professionals how to succeed as Michael Cusumano, who has served as a board member or consultant to such organizations as AT&T, AOL, CompuServe, Lucent and Verizon. THE SOFTWARE BUSINESS packs his invaluable insight into a single, powerful guide. Just as he did in MICROSOFT SECRETS, Cusumano links issues of strategy and organization with those of managing technology. He argues that the key to success in the 600 billion USD software business is choosing a business model that will capitalize on the good times and survive the bad. Through eye-opening case studies, Cusumano introduces a ground breaking framework that any manager can use to select the right business model from a choice of three: products, services, or hybrid business solutions.A must-read for every manager, programmer, analyst, entrepreneur, and student interested in software, THE SOFTWARE BUSINESS is destined to become a handbook for getting ahead in the competitive field of computers and e-commerce.