Overview, Features and Benefits
Overview
The Application Service Provider Model (asp) is a distributed computing environment where the application software is typically installed in a central location and made available to the user over a wide-area network such as ISDN.
Customer Features and Benefits
Feature | Benefit |
Software is supplied on a rental basis | 1. The cost of the software does not have to be paid up-front. |
2. Application upgrades are supplied as part of the agreement without incurring an extra cost | |
Data is hosted off-site | 1. Lower hardware investment. The customer no longer needs to purchase and maintain a server capable of storing company data. |
2. Data integrity is assured. Issues such as backups, redundant hardware and data repair are the responsibility of the service provider. | |
Users operating the program can use a thin client (or network computer) | 1. Lower hardware investment. The customer no longer needs to purchase high-end workstations for each user on the network (modern applications require increasing amounts of hard disk, CPU speed and memory). Typical upgrade cycle of 2-3 years for workstations to keep individual users up-to-date with software requirements. |
2. Administration. Thin clients prevent operators from altering system settings in ways that are potentially disruptive to application stability and in-house helpdesk support. | |
3. Staff Security. Thin clients typically do not have (or require) floppy disks or CD-ROM drives, lowering the risk of staff misuse of hardware and/or company data. | |
The application is hosted over the Internet, Dialup or Wide Area Network | The customer can have any number or branches operating on the same set of company data in real time, without incurring any additional cost. |