Interesting post from VentureBeat that includes an audio interview with Gordon Ritter of Emergence Capital on the future of SaaS.  Emergence has solidified its position at the center of the SaaS universe with an exclusive focus on this model of software delivery.

Gordon speaks about the importance of data going forward and the unique perspective SaaS companies have to provide not just software services but information services.  Not just being a steward of the data but helping customers understand usage, patterns, and insights from HOW they use the software tools.  A basic (and early) example is how Salesforce currently does this with periodic emails on my usage of their product. 

The opportunity is for software companies to help their customers understand how to better use their products (ie, get more value) as well as learn in about as real-time way as possible what customers/prospects want and need.