Last week Zuora, a subscription billing, commerce and financial solutions company, announced the launch of RBM Connect, a relationship business management marketplace designed to help companies launch subscription businesses and to inspire innovation among them.Tien Tzuo, Zuora CEO, explains: “Companies such as Salesforce, Amazon, Netflix and Box heralded the shift to subscription-based business models, but today, companies in nearly every industry, including consumer goods, education, energy, financial services, healthcare, retail, and telecom, are looking for ways to participate.”That’s why Zuora created its “app store,” RBM Connect – to make it easier for companies considering subscription-based business models to find partners and vendors to meet their needs. RBM Connect includes 57 pre-built apps from technology partners, system integrators and developers, including solutions for pricing, quote (CPQ), financial planning, e-signatures, ERP integrations, and more.”Customers are looking for complementary products and services that extend the reach of their core platforms. MGI Research is pleased to see Zuora launch the RBM Connect marketplace,” said Andrew Dailey, Managing Director of MGI Research. “Zuora is the first subscription management company to launch a marketplace of technology providers, SIs and developers who offer synergistic capabilities beyond core billing.”Nick Stojka, co-founder of Sertifi, said: “Our integrated solution leverages the Zuora platform and hosted payment technologies so customers can more quickly and easily capture eSignatures and collect customer payments in a simple, easy, and integrated user experience. By joining the RBM Connect network, we’re able to more effectively reach companies using Zuora that need to automate the last mile of their sales process.”Insider Take:By working with technology partners that complement its own products, Zuora is leveraging its brand and extending its own usefulness. It has gone beyond one-size-fits-all solutions to work with partners to create seamless, integrated solutions for subscription companies like TripAdvisor, The Guardian, Financial Times, Trulia, and Shutterfly. The RBM Connect marketplace brings vendors and companies together, and Zuora looks like the hero because it brought everyone together.This is a smart play on Zuora’s part and, if utilized and promoted properly, will ensure a steady stream of new business for Zuora as well as the company’s financial success and longevity. [Edited 3/17/16 to include links]