Business software applications are almost impossible to separate from our daily lives. Every day, each one of us uses one or more of an ATM, a spreadsheet, an application that connects to a database system, a booking system or an accounting package. Companies that provide us with services send us bills and notifications produced by their own computerised back-end systems. From the first contractors and independent software vendors (ISVs) that started providing customised software to owners of IBM systems, the business software market has grown into one of the largest sectors of the US economy.

In countries like India, the impact of software development has been even greater – and has happened a great deal faster than the 30 years it took in the West. Business software is changing again as the internet becomes the preferred medium for development and delivery of business services. One of the oldest providers of business applications – SAP AG – makes its flagship tool available via a web browser rather than a custom front-end, and providers of all sizes have seen the future in the web and are adapting their models accordingly.