Following our initial blog about joining the ISV Success program, if you haven’t read it yet, check it out here, we’re back with an update on what’s happened since. Let’s just say, we’ve been hit with a “confetti cannon” of emails—each packed with helpful information! Here’s how we’re navigating the program to push forward with product development and prepare ARRT’s solution for the marketplace.

The Email Avalanche: Navigating the Noise

Since joining the ISV Success program, we’ve been inundated with communications. Besides the usual reminders to sign up for kickoff meetings, technical sessions, and feedback requests, we’ve received a series of emails covering:

• Grow your business with the Microsoft commercial marketplace: Emphasising how publishing apps in the marketplace can unlock access to millions of customers, leverage Microsoft’s payment and licensing capabilities, and grow through Marketplace Rewards.
• Activate your Microsoft Visual Studio Subscription: Free access to development tools such as Visual Studio 2022 Enterprise and Azure DevOps, vital for accelerating product development and collaboration.
• Access Microsoft Azure AI Services: An opportunity to integrate intelligent AI services into our product, enhancing functionality and helping us bring innovations to market faster.
• Make your app transactable in the marketplace: Encouragement to publish as a transactable offer, simplifying purchasing for clients while enabling a scalable sales model.
• Step-by-step guidance for publishing: Resources on listing options, from SaaS to Virtual Machine offers, with learning modules for different types of applications.
• Activate Azure credits and more: Instructions to utilise the $5000 in Azure credits and benefits such as GitHub Enterprise Cloud and Microsoft 365 E5 subscriptions to support development and testing.

The program offers a wealth of resources, but with so many links and circular references, it can sometimes feel like finding a needle in a haystack. We’re working through the details to extract the most valuable insights for our development journey.

Prioritizing Product Development

Amidst the influx of information, we’re staying laser-focused on product development. Here’s how we’re aligning our efforts:

• Finalizing Pricing Models: The next step is determining a pricing structure that supports ongoing development while offering competitive value to customers. Supported models for transactable offers in the marketplace will be key considerations.
• Validating the Product Concept: We’re engaging with Microsoft’s technical representatives to confirm our solution’s viability and optimize it for cloud deployment. The initial sessions have provided a high-level understanding of the Azure Marketplace and the different ways to position our product.
• Deciding on the Delivery Model: We’re weighing the pros and cons of hosting our solution as a SaaS versus offering a licensed application that customers can run within their own environments. This decision is crucial as it impacts how we architect the product and what pricing strategies we can implement.

Insights Gained from Technical Sessions

Our first technical session was primarily an introduction to the Azure Marketplace, covering:

• Marketplace Listing Options: Understanding different types of listings, from SaaS to Azure Managed Applications.
• Transactable and Supported Pricing Models: Insight into how to set up a product for transactable sales.
• Preparing for SaaS and Azure Managed Application Publishing: Overview of the steps required to list and market these types of solutions effectively.

This laid a foundation but didn’t dive deep into our product’s specific requirements.

In the second session, titled “Architectural Review,” we took a closer look at:

• Product Viability Queries: When asked if our product concept was a good idea, the response was that evaluating the market potential is not something Microsoft typically does, as the program’s focus is on providing technical guidance.
• Leveraging Cost-Effective Azure Services: Practical advice on using Azure services for a SaaS model, focusing on achieving value for money.
• Feedback on Architecture: The session indicated that while Microsoft offers support, there isn’t an in-depth analysis of solutions unless vulnerabilities are detected through code quality tools

Next Steps: Shaping the Development Roadmap

With insights from the sessions, we’re moving ahead with a development roadmap, focusing on delivering a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) as soon as possible. Our goals include:

• Defining MVP Features: Prioritising functionalities that address customer needs while allowing for iterative improvements.
• Engaging with the Microsoft Tech Specialist: We’ll continue collaborating to ensure our product is ready for the Commercial Marketplace, seeking further technical guidance and support.

We’re excited about this journey and will continue sharing updates as we progress. If you have any questions about ARRT’s development process, digital transformation efforts, or integration expertise, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’d be happy to help!

Rich Hughes, Director at ARRT