I am trying to learn about software targeted at biotechnolgy companies
(not Big Pharma).  I'm interested in what the categories are, who the
vendors are, what are the trends, which analysts have good reports,
etc. My question is, what is a good, low-cost or free source of
information.

Hello hfreeman,

Software development for biotechnology companies can take a few forms,
but most of it would fall under the term 'bioinformatics'. (1)
Instrumentation software is another type used by biotech companies,
but is usually hardware-specific to the instrument.  Based on your
question, I've provided more information towards bioinformatics, but
many of these sites can provide information on instrumentation
companies and products available.

An excellent web resource is Bio.com, which seems to have everything
you're looking for: bioinformatics information, market reports,
research and market news, and best of all it's free.  It appears to be
updated regularly, and each subsection (including bioinformatics) has
its own archive of features and news.

Bio.com
http://www.bio.com

Within Bio.com,
A series of market reports on bioinformatics software:
http://www.bio.com/industryanalysis/industryanalysis_industry.jhtml?contentItem=48845238&action=list

Bioinformatics section:
http://www.bio.com/realm/index.jhtml?realmId=3


If you're willing to subscribe to a journal, the "Biotech Software &
Internet Report" could be helpful.  The journal claims to contain
"news and reviews of all areas of scientific computing, including
software, hardware, and network products."  BS&IR is only available
online.

Biotech Software & Internet Report
http://www.liebertpub.com/BSW/default1.asp

You can look over a free issue of BS&IR here:
http://www.catchword.com/rpsv/catchword/mal/15279162/contp1.htm


Biotech.bout.com is another good resource with plenty of biotech
information, regular updates, current biotech news, and subsections on
bioinformatics (http://biotech.about.com/cs/bioinformatics/index.htm)
and IT in biotech, in general (http://biotech.about.com/cs/it/).  It
doesn't look as in-depth as Bio.com, but should have useful
information nonetheless.

About.com on Biotech / Biomedical
http://biotech.about.com/


Biotechfind.com is a biotech-specific search engine, indexing hundreds
of biotech companies and suppliers.  The Bioinformatics section will
return a few hundred companies.  Its somewhat overwhelming on its own,
but could be useful to search for specific products or companies
mentioned in other sources.

Biotechfind.com Search Engine
http://www.biotechfind.com/


Other websites:

Biotechnology Information Directory - Software  
http://www.cato.com/biotech/bio-software.html
A more research-oriented website, with directories of Biotechnology
software resources on the web.

Biospace.com
http://www.biospace.com/
Another general biotech website, somewhat more cluttered to navigate
and doesn't separate bioinformatics from other areas of biotech. 
Still, it seems to hold a lot of information.

Bioinformatics Law Resources
http://www.denniskennedy.com/bioinformaticslaw.htm
A list of web resources pertaining to bioinformatics in law.  Possibly
useful if you intend to form a company, or deal with software patents.


Search strategy:

biotechnology software
(://www.google.com/search?cat=&q=biotechnology+software)

biotech software trends
(://www.google.com/search?cat=&q=biotech+software+trends)

biotech software "market analysis"
(://www.google.com/search?cat=&q=biotech+software+%22market+analysis%22)

Google Directory:
http://directory.google.com/Top/Science/Biology/Biotechnology/Directories/
http://directory.google.com/Top/Science/Biology/Bioinformatics/Companies/
http://directory.google.com/Top/Business/Biotechnology_and_Pharmaceuticals/


(1)TechTarget.com - definition of "bioinformatics"
http://searchdatabase.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid13_gci211665,00.html

This is great, just what I needed, thanks

I have developed web-based software tools for biotechs over the last
four years. Since the market, like many others, changes from minute to
minute, companies are mostly interested in "scalability" of design.
Simply stated, application design starts by automating processes that
are bottlenecking the lab research. Here are two links to some
commerically sucessful applications I have designed (with a team of
programmers mind you).
They are: http://www.autoprimer.com
and
http://www.chromosomebrowser.com

These applications were developed for the Life Sciences Division of
Orchid BioSciences in Princeton, NJ...they are a primier genetic
analysis and diversity company.

Hope this helps. BTW...my site is http://www.jsiteweb.com.

All the best.