Raleigh, NC – July 1, 2007 - Software as a Service (SaaS) applications are nearly everywhere, and getting more prevalent every day. Nowhere was that more evident than in the Carolinas recently where Hosted Solutions and Local Tech Wire partnered to bring the “SaaS Road Show” to the Triangle and Charlotte over a two day period.

The Carolina SaaS User Group, founded by Hosted Solutions, is a forum for SaaS professionals to share best practices, resources, and experiences.  Nearly 400 forum members gathered over the two days to exchange ideas, gain insight into emerging trends and share the resources they need to succeed in the on-demand world, enabling them to develop and deliver solutions that leverage the full capabilities of the Internet.

The meetings were held on June 17^th at the American Tobacco campus in Durham, and on June 18^th in Charlotte at the Bank of America Stadium.

Contact:
Ashlie Lanning

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Attendees were introduced to a panel of executives from established local SaaS providers by Mick Mixon, voice of the Carolina Panthers.  Both events featured keynote speaker, and one of the nation's most admired SaaS executives, Gary Griffiths, former President of WebEx, who explained to a crowd the risks and rewards of outsourcing IT functions.

Griffiths was honored to take part in the event.  He said, “It's exciting to see an initiative like the Carolina SaaS User Group emerge into to such a powerful concept within the local technology community.  The Carolinas are proving itself as a market leader in the world of SaaS.”

“From all the feedback we have received, hearing Gary’s perspective as well as that of the panelists, was a huge advantage for all involved,” said Josh Wolff, General Manager of Hosted Solutions Charlotte and President of the Carolina SaaS User Group.  "With a great mix of software companies either delivering a SaaS solution or moving in that direction, corporate IT looking for ways to adapt more on-demand solutions internally, and niche vendors to the SaaS space, the message resonated for everyone in attendance.  Everyone is excited to finally have a forum of this magnitude centered specifically around SaaS.”

A recap from Local Tech Wire on the  Triangle SaaS Road Show can be found at http://localtechwire.com/business/local_tech_wire/opinion/blogpost/3061410/ and a recap from Charlotte can be found at http://localtechwire.com/business/local_tech_wire/opinion/blogpost/3069204/.

For more information on Carolina SaaS, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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About the Carolina SaaS User Group:
The Carolina SaaS User Group is a conglomerate of industry professionals promoting growth in the software industry through events, education, promotion, and the fostering of strategic industry relationships. The Carolina SaaS User Group was created by Hosted Solutions (www.hostedsolutions.com) as an educational endeavor to provide a forum for business leaders involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution, and integration of software as a service products, as well as related services that are sold through on-demand channels. For more information about the Carolina SaaS User Group, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it The Carolina SaaS User Group is the definitive source for information about North Carolina’s Software as a Service industry.

About Hosted Solutions, Inc:
Hosted Solutions’ high quality Data Center and Managed Hosting solutions maintain and protect customers’ mission-critical, back-office IT systems and applications, enabling them to reduce operating costs, lower the risk of downtime, focus on core competencies, and achieve their top business objectives. The company operates five SAS 70 Type II audited Data Centers in Boston MA, Charlotte NC, Raleigh NC, and Cary NC providing best-of-breed data center operations with hardened physical infrastructure, the highest level of security, and a complete managed services portfolio. For more information please visit www.hostedsolutions.com.

About Local Tech Wire:
Local Tech Wire (LTW) is an online journal dedicated to reporting the latest breaking news in the technology industry. Established in December 2001, LTW covers economic growth, employment, forecasts, emerging companies, mergers and acquisitions that gives every professional a competitive edge.  LTW has a growing list of contributors and writers who deliver cutting-edge coverage and commentary on the IT, biotech, telecommunications, life sciences and gaming/simulation industry.  LTW also provides marketing solutions, including online advertising and event sponsorship to companies that are targeting technology companies in North Carolina.  For more information, visit www.localtechwire.com.