The 20 Coolest Cloud Software Vendors Of The 2016 Cloud 100

Coolest Cloud Software Vendors For 2016

You can have all the infrastructure and platforms in the cloud you want. But let's face it; it's the cloud computing applications that people use to get real work done. From applications for finance and marketing, to business intelligence and analysis software, to tools for managing IT systems and mobile devices, cloud-based software is what brings everyday users into the cloud picture.

Here are 20 cloud software vendors -- from established companies such as SAP and NetSuite to startups such as Domo and CognitiveScale -- that caught our attention. Some are cool because of their leading-edge technology while others achieve ’coolness’ through their success in bringing cloud software to a wide audience of users.

If you missed it, check out the vendors in the other categories of The 100 Coolest Cloud Computing Vendors Of 2016.

Apttus

Kirk Krappe, CEO

Headquarters: San Mateo, Calif.

Apttus' quote-to-cash applications manage the entire customer contract process from initial price quote to billing and payment. The company's partner ecosystem is made up of systems integration/implementation partners such as Accenture, Bluewolf and Cloud Sherpas, and technology partners such as Salesforce.com, Microsoft and DocuSign whose products are integrated with Apttus' applications.

Birst

Jay Larson, CEO

Headquarters: San Francisco

Cloud business analytics software developer Birst recently debuted technology that creates a network of business intelligence instances -- essentially a virtualized BI system that users apply to their local data. Birst works with channel partners focused on business analytics, such as Analytics8 and Intelligent Consulting, and broad-based solution providers such as Bluewolf, Qloudwerks and Infosys.

CliQr Technologies

Gaurav Manglik, CEO

Headquarters: San Jose, Calif.

CliQr developed a single platform for modeling, deploying and managing applications across physical, virtual and cloud environments. The company's stable of reseller partners includes Denali Advanced Integration, Presidio and World Wide Technology. Public clouds operated by AWS, Google, Dimension Data and others support CliQr, as do private cloud systems from Cisco, Microsoft, Red Hat and Mirantis.

CognitiveScale

Akshay Sabhikhi, CEO

Headquarters: Austin, Texas

Founded by some of the folks who developed IBM's Watson supercomputer, CognitiveScale develops big data interpretation and machine learning systems for decision-making and customer engagement purposes. Last year the company launched a health-care group to apply its technology to managing data from patients with chronic conditions such as cancer and respiratory ailments.

Domo

Josh James, CEO

Headquarters: American Fork, Utah

Domo got everyone's attention in April when it raised an astounding $200 million in funding. At the same time, it launched its cloud-based executive management system that accesses information scattered across disparate sources using a single dashboard. Domo is recruiting partners to resell the company's software, partners for implementation and deployment, and ISVs who can integrate their applications with the Domo platform.

FinancialForce

Jeremy Roche, CEO

Headquarters: San Francisco

FinancialForce offers ERP, financial management and other ’back-office’ cloud applications -- putting it in head-to-head competition with NetSuite, SAP and Oracle. FinancialForce's software is built on the Salesforce.com platform. Partners include other developers of Salesforce-compatible applications and a stable of authorized service providers, including Appirio and Slalom, which offer implementation and other consulting services.

FusionOps

Gary Myers, CEO

Headquarters: Mountain View, Calif.

In December FusionOps debuted a major release of its Supply Chain Intelligence Cloud that helps businesses gain visibility into -- and insights from -- their supply chain operations. The company's partners include systems integrators such as NIIT Technologies, KloudData and Intrigo Systems, which have expertise with SAP applications.

GoodData

Roman Stanek, CEO

Headquarters: San Francisco

GoodData's business analytics tools support ’data monetization’ -- creating value from internal and external data by leveraging it to engage with customers and other profit-generating tasks. GoodData's channel program encompasses partners that implement its software and ISVs that embed it within their applications: The company recently enlisted big data services provider AbsolutData to provide solutions on the GoodData platform.

Intacct

Robert Reid, CEO

Headquarters: San Jose, Calif.

Intacct's cloud ERP software includes core financial applications such as general ledger and accounts payable, as well as other business applications like inventory management and project accounting. The Intacct Partner Program has 350-plus channel partners, including superstars such as Armanino and AcctTwo, while the company also partners with some 300 CPA and accounting service firms.

Marketo

Phil Fernandez, CEO

Headquarters: San Mateo, Calif.

Marketo and its Engagement Marketing Platform cloud applications are doing for marketing automation what Salesforce.com did for CRM. In November the company said its LaunchPoint partner ecosystem had grown to 550 third-party applications and services, with 150 partners recruited in just the previous year. For the first nine months of 2015, Marketo's sales grew 41 percent to $151.6 million.

Mobi

Scott Kraege, CEO

Headquarters: Indianapolis

BYOD problems? Mobi's cloud-based software centralizes the management of mobile devices by integrating with wireless carriers, corporate IT, and mobile device management systems. Mobi makes its suite of managed mobility services available to solution providers through Tech Data's TDMobility business unit.

NetSuite

Zach Nelson, CEO

Headquarters: San Mateo, Calif.

NetSuite is one of the leading -- and most visible -- suppliers of cloud ERP, CRM and e-commerce applications. The company's NetSuite Solution Provider Program supports hundreds of solution provider, systems integrator, developer, business process outsourcing, referral and accounting partners. Recently Tribridge, a longtime Microsoft solution provider partner, added NetSuite's applications to its portfolio.

New Relic

Lew Cirne, CEO

Headquarters: San Francisco

The New Relic Software Analytics Cloud helps businesses monitor the performance of -- and customer experiences with -- their Web applications. In November the company launched its first partner program to manage relationships with its reseller, strategic alliance, managed service provider, cloud platform and ISV partners. The effort is overseen by business development senior vice president John Gray, a veteran channel executive from LivePerson, Oracle and BEA Systems.

Numerify

Gaurav Rewari, CEO

Headquarters: Cupertino, Calif.

Numerify's cloud-based IT analytics applications track the performance of cloud-based IT services and systems, combining and analyzing data from IT sources, call centers, and HR and finance systems to help IT organizations lower costs and improve service levels. The Numerify Partner Program has recruited IT implementation and consulting service providers including Cloud Sherpas, Infocepts and Aspediens.

Qlik Technologies

Lars Bjork, CEO

Headquarters: Radnor, Pa.

Qlik is one of the brightest stars among the younger business intelligence and visual analytics software developers. The company has been actively building its channel operations and expanding sales through partners: In the third quarter of 2015 the channel generated 55 percent of Qlik's license and first-year maintenance billings.

SAP

Bill McDermott, CEO

Headquarters: Walldorf, Germany

Once best known for on-premise ERP applications for big companies, SAP has been aggressively shifting into cloud computing with cloud deployment options for its core ERP software and new cloud applications like SAP Anywhere. The vendor is in the midst of a major upgrade of its PartnerEdge channel program that began in mid-2015 and continues this year.

SkyKick

Evan Richman and Todd Schwartz, Co-CEOs

Headquarters: Seattle

SkyKick's flagship product automates the process of moving on-premise email systems to Microsoft Office 365, offering traditional solution providers a quick and easy path to launching cloud practices. The company recently broadened its portfolio to include cloud backup and management tools.

Tableau

Christian Chabot, CEO

Headquarters: Seattle

Also a leader in the business intelligence software arena, Tableau develops software -- both for on-premise and cloud deployments -- that helps information workers analyze and visualize large volumes of data. At the vendor's partner summit in January the company outlined plans to expand its channel program with new resources, including a deal registration system, and continue recruiting new partners.

Tracx

Rick Rudman, CEO

Headquarters: New York

Tracx develops a cloud-based social media management system that businesses use to analyze posts on Facebook, Twitter and other sites to gain better understanding of their customers and more effectively build their online brand. In August the company named former Vocus CEO Rick Rudman as its new CEO.

Zuora

Tien Tzuo, CEO

Headquarters: Foster City, Calif.

Zuora provides cloud-based commerce and financial applications for companies with subscription billing business models. The company's partner base includes systems integrators such as Accenture and PwC, cloud solution consultants such as Cloud Sherpas and Astadia, and payment service providers FirstData, Chase Paymentech and Verifi.