Special: ASPs in Australia Part 2

Packaged applications

Even basic software packages--office suites and word processors, to name a few--need to be managed and supported. But for many businesses, they can easily fall off the radar. For instance, a small company may have a two-person IT staff that works at corporate headquarters. The only time this group is going to pay much attention to the branch operation 100 kilometres away is when an urgent network problem arises.

Simple software glitches? Those will be handled maybe tomorrow or the next day. Employee productivity gets lost in the shuffle.

Packaged-applications ASPs work two ways to remedy the situation. They can remotely manage and administer the software or simply host the software themselves.

What packaged-applications ASPs offer

In a typical scenario, these ASPs, via an Internet connection, push customised installations of virtually any application to customers, often tailored to the particular needs of the businesses. They provide local copies of the application that are available whether users are online or off-line. When subscribers are online, though, they get added features like automated backups and the ability to access shared databases.

The ASP will also serve as the IT and troubleshooting staff for these applications. If a program is damaged, the ASP can remotely reinstall it. And since files are stored remotely as well as locally, catastrophic damage to a workstation affects only work done since the last time documents were (automatically) backed up. It is important to note that in this scenario, all key applications are stored locally. In this model, access to the Internet is necessary only for backup and maintenance.

In another popular model, some packaged-applications ASPs host all data and applications remotely; all the user needs is access to the Internet. A single log-on and authentication gives access to the software, files, and databases the employee has permission for, regardless of location or the machine being used. Through continuous monitoring of applications and the ability to install patches, fixes, and upgrades at will, such ASPs can fix problems promptly and consistently. They don't have to wait for the customer to be online to repair applications.

Packaged-applications ASP tip

For a company whose employees are widely dispersed, the fully remote packaged-application ASP could be worth considering, because it provides access anywhere and from any machine. Of course, if you're located someplace where an Internet connection isn't possible, you lose access to applications or remotely stored data.

--Sean Carroll

Contents

1.   Intro      2.   Network & Telco ASPs      3.   Collaboration ASPs      4.   Packaged applications ASPs      5.   MIS ASPs      6.   Data Management ASPs      7.   Looking forward

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