In the last few years there has been much interest in the delivery of software-as-a-service. The concept of the remote delivery of software by Application Service Providers (ASPs) has captured the imagination of many academics, practitioners and technology analysts. Yet analyst predictions and expectations with respect to the growth of this new e-business model have not been realised. Although many Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and other firms such as Telcos’ have embraced the ASP business model, few have managed to deploy this business model profitably. Many firms that entered the market in the dot.com wave have struggled to stay in business due to the highly dynamic and turbulent nature of the ASP market. This paper analyses how ASPs are developing their market entry strategies with a view to creating strategic differentiation. It first gives an overview of the outsourcing and ASP literature and then examines the strategies developed by two ASP market entrants: a global tele...