The line between software applications and SaaS continues to blur. You'll still find--and need--plenty of applications that arrive on a disc or as a download, but more and more applications are available in subscription-based, hosted models. That's why we're blending what used to be two charts into one. In past years, we've run one chart dedicated to desktop applications and another that covers SaaS products. But not this year. Some apps offer offline components only, some work only online and others mix the two worlds. More than ever before, when you're making a decision about which application is right for you, the delivery model isn't the only thing that matters: It's the product offering itself.
Web-based applications aren't the only places where you'll see lines blurring. Reading through our guide, you'll notice the names of software and services that may not be obvious business tools. Services like Facebook and new utilities such as web widgets appear on our list. These may seem like consumer--and even teen--toys, but they're also valuable business tools you can't afford to miss out on. Read on and learn why.
Liane Cassavoy freelances from her home in Melrose, Massachusetts.