“Customers don’t want point solutions from a variety of vendors,” Kumar said. “They want a suite of products that are fully integrated and easily upgraded.  They are looking for innovative solutions that span platforms and operating systems and make complex tasks simpler. Simply put, our customers are demanding solutions of greater scope and versatility.”

The CA chairman said the fundamental shift in the enterprise software business driven by on-demand computing plays into CA’s strength as a management software provider.

“On-demand computing is a vision of a future in which businesses access computing capability in the same way they access a utility,” Kumar said. “This approach addresses three customer concerns – responsiveness, efficiency and cost. We believe the key to on-demand computing is management software – software that allows customers to better manage and integrate their resources.  As the market evolves, we plan to further apply our core enterprise, security and storage management strengths to pursue the next phase of on-demand computing.” 

Kumar also maintained that CA’s business model – which gives both CA and users more flexibility in establishing contract terms and conditions – clearly puts users at the center of all the company does. He stressed that it is a competitive advantage for CA. “IT providers need to recognize that the future of this business lies in serving customers, in building partnerships and in adding value beyond the software,” he said.

“2004 is sure to offer us many challenges and opportunities,” Kumar said. “We’ll succeed by continuing to follow a simple formula: Offer the software industry’s most comprehensive and innovative enterprise management solutions; leverage a business model that makes it easer for customers to license, install and run our software; and, foster a culture that puts customers at the center of everything we do.”