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Abstract-In this paper, we argue that a large-scale demand responsive system is the missing element from the spectrum of the urban transport modes. To this end, we provide a comprehensive analysis addressing this broad question from several aspects including the customers' perception, various technical aspects, and the related societal aspects. In each case, we are able to give sound arguments why a mass demand responsive transport (DRT) service can improve the current situation considerably. The mass DRT will not make other transport modes obsolete, but can complement them in surprisingly efficient manner leading to considerable internal and external cost savings -a true win-win situation the modern computer and information technology has enabled.

This paper reports findings from a survey that has been conducted in Finland to study how the software product companies have matured and evolved over the years. In addition to introducing some key terms for characterizing the software product business, we will provide some overall data on the sector, and discuss some specific issues related to the software R&D process and subcontracting. The survey is one of the largest such surveys covering the software product companies and has revealed several interesting findings on software product companies. Most notably, the software companies have shown to be dynamic and resilient in challenging business environment; and their biggest challenges in growth are not technical but management and marketing related. Furthermore, we also discovered that the most important improvement areas are improving the degree of productization and level of competence of personnel and that the ability to network with other companies is critical for younger companies.This survey also revealed that programming and planning are the two most common types of subcontracting, and difficulties in modularity and specifications are the biggest hurdles that prevent wider use of subcontracting.