Comments on: Is 37signals making a web platform play?

by: Steve Bayle

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 20:58:19 +0000

Interesting post. I see 37 Signals as a bit like the Palm Pilot - they have pioneered an easy to use, new platform but if they aren’t careful about keeping up with the needs/demands of their customers they will be left behind. Much as I like Basecamp, it has a lot of limitations once you start using it heavily and I don’t see much evidence that they recognize that.

My guess is that someone will follow in their footsteps with more powerful and sophisticated platforms, much like the iPod followed the many pioneering MP3 players. We are in the Diamond Rio days of Web-based apps so it’s a bit early to start calling winners.

by: Eric Tapley

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 20:00:09 +0000

Kyle, we all seem to have a secret ambition. This might be theirs. Do you think they’ll be more successful if they officially promote this as a strategy, or keep it quiet?

by: Eric Tapley

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 19:58:10 +0000

Hi, Richard.

I agree, they are going up against big players. I’m interested to see if the ‘hearts and minds’ strategy will circumvent their more limited reach and technology offering.

by: Kyle Bradshaw

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 19:01:11 +0000

Jason Fried and the boys over at 37 signals are definitely up to something. Numerous times I have heard them refer to “20 years from now….”.

They are a big picture company as can be seen from their naming of basecamp, then consequent backpack and campfire apps. It’s obvious to me that they go about their development in well branded, planned steps.

Through their accessible API’s the applications have also taken a life of their own via 3rd party development, which just adds to the barreling mass that is their entire product suite.

Numerous times they have spoken that there is no “magic” number at which they could be bought out at and it seems they have no inclination to. However, with the sheer number of users they claim use their applications they MUST be making profit hand over fist. For them to team up with Bezos is an interesting move for sure. If their stock ever goes public, I’ll be the first to hand over my savings…

by: Richard Banfield

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 16:46:07 +0000

I agree that 37Signals is positioning itself as the web equivalent of the MS Office suite. This will be tough as they will be going up against the two 800 pound gorillas in this space - Microsoft and Google. We’ll be watching this with interest.