Cloud application company Pervasive Software has announced Pervasive UseaBiLLity, a cloud-based data metering service for MySQL applications.

For cloud-centric developers there may be some interest here; i.e., UseaBiLLity works to offer SaaS programmers access to data about how an application is being used.

Depending on the goal of data metering, UseaBiLLity can be set up with a simple metering profile (for subscriber billing for example) or a more detailed set of profiles for analytics.

The software essentially allows users to map database events to application features and then report each instance of actions such as create, insert, update, and delete. The proposition then is that SaaS developers can get insight into which features are being used, by whom, when, and how often.

"Usage-based billing services and provisioning usage analytics input as a service will be an important feature of the next-generation software-driven and service-oriented businesses," said David Norfolk, practice leader development and governance at Bloor Research. "We hope this will serve as a model for businesses generally."

Pervasive UseaBiLLity’s application usage tracking and database resource activity with subscriber profile information can help SaaS vendors develop a clear picture of infrastructure requirements.

"The MySQL ISV base has an enormous opportunity to evolve and capture new markets through SaaS offerings," said Gilbert Van Cutsem, general manager of Pervasive database products. "Pervasive UseaBiLLity not only enables ISVs to rapidly SaaS-ify their applications, but also opens up new doors with activity-based analytics that can help drive competitive advantage."