The End Of One-Size-Fits-All Software

InnovationAIThe End Of One-Size-Fits-All SoftwareByMichael Ashley,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. The author of many tech books, Michael Ashley covers AI and Big Data.Follow AuthorJun 16, 2026, 10:31am EDTSummaryThe "SaaSpocalypse" in February saw Claude Cowork plugins trigger a $285 billion wipeout in SaaS valuations. This market disruption signals a shift to a third software era, where AI agents enable businesses to create and customize their own software cheaply, moving beyond traditional packaged and cloud solutions. Companies like Nexxa.AI are pioneering this, with an AI layer integrating across existing systems to automate and eventually replace generic software. This allows businesses, from industrial giants like Schaeffler to small enterprises, to tailor operations precisely, fostering greater productivity and prosperity by making software bend to the company's needs.Show More Is the future software that bends to your company, not the other way around?Deposit PhotosIn February, SaaSpocalypse roiled markets, wiping out roughly $285 billion in SaaS valuations. Claude Cowork plugins were the culprit for the massacre. To appreciate why, think about it like this. Until then, most companies required software programs to handle high-value knowledge work like legal analysis, sales operations, finance, and more. The Software as a Service (SaaS) industry built its revenue model on charging subscription fees to businesses for this valuable work.However, thanks to Anthropic’s plugins, businesses could now create their own AI agents to spin up software cheaply. Not only that, but they could also customize such software, making it do what they want, how they want it.But there’s more to the SaaSpocalypse saga. To appreciate what’s coming, it’s helpful to think of software eras.Software Era 1: PackagedIt used to be you had to buy software on a disc or some other external device and install it on your computer...