• February 29, 2008

eXpresso’s Blue Ocean

People often ask me what differentiates us from other online spreadsheet applications. And as a marketer, the question is welcomed with open arms. Not only is it a good opportunity to position what we do, it provides an opportunity to communicate our core competencies. Here are some points I typically include in my response.

1. We do not compete with Excel®. Other online spreadsheets are trying to compete with Microsoft® Excel® - the clear market leader in the spreadsheet application space. eXpresso does not compete with Excel and is not attempting to steal market share away from Microsoft. Instead, we embrace Excel and are some of its biggest fans.

2. We add functionality to Excel. Other online spreadsheets are trying to replicate Excel’s functionality. This is a monumental task both in time and resources. In contrast, eXpresso increases Excel’s functionality by providing much needed features like real-time collaborative editing, cell region assignments, spreadsheet comparisons, individual access controls, full team editing audit trails, file control, and more.

3. We built a patent-pending real-time collaboration engine. Other online spreadsheets may be able to solve the distribution issue with spreadsheets, but it ends there. eXpresso takes it to the next level. Not only can our users become more efficient in the way they distribute spreadsheets to people, they are able to make changes to files and see changes from others immediately as they work on the same file. All changes are recorded in the file history and can be viewed or reconciled at any time.

4. We coordinate off-line editing with online distribution. Other online spreadsheets focus all their effort on an online solution. However, we understand that even in a Web 2.0 world, people may not always be online. In addition to Web-based editing, eXpresso provides an Excel plug-in that enables people to do what they need to in Excel whenever they can. When they are ready for others to see it, they can quickly and easily add their spreadsheet to eXpresso to share it with others.

5. We are a business-class solution. Other online spreadsheet applications have not delivered the functionality or met the challenges business users require. In other words, it is one thing to share a snack list with other soccer moms and an entirely different thing to share an annual budget with multiple departments, stakeholders, and contributors. eXpresso originated from the enterprise software space to meet specific challenges real businesses were facing.

Although various software service providers may seem like they are swimming in the same waters, it is important to look beyond the industry label and into the substance behind the moniker. Simply stated, we prefer the deep end of the pool.

• By Gus