DemandCaster is what we here at Cadent Resources, Inc. call a Software with a Service (SwaS).  This is a new term we have coined to differentiate DemandCaster from the traditional hosted software solution known as Software as a Service or (SaaS). 

SaaS solutions are typically hosted subscription based solutions that are available to users to use as if it was software loaded on their servers or desktop as described in our Why on Demand musing. The distinction with DemandCaster is that it benefits from all that traditional SaaS applications provide but acts as an enabler to allow the deployment of an actual service offering that is provided by a dedicated expert. This differs from another software category called Software plus Services which is a wholly software-centric solution.  Software plus Services combine hosted services with capabilities that are best achieved with locally running software.

SwaS does not apply to a business that uses software to simply supplement their core business such as banks, brokers, on-line retailers, and credit card companies.  A SwaS provider works in the business to business realm and uses the hosted software as an enabler to facilitate communication, analysis, and delivery to address a specific concern of a client company.  In the case of DemandCaster it is used to help a client company optimize their inventory and capacity to increase their return on working capital.