Management Information Systems
ASPs that provide management information systems (MIS) offer a huge number of sophisticated applications formerly available only in highly customised networked environments at the corporations with the deepest pockets. Among the applications: enterprise resource planning (ERP), supply-chain and inventory management, sales and marketing, customer relationship management (CRM), help desks, sales force automation (SFA), and human resources.
What MIS ASPs offer
Traditional ERP relied on client/server architecture and tended to produce a rigid finished product, not easily altered to fit the changing needs of a growing company. Because the ASP model ERP is Web-based, it offers a more scalable and flexible architecture that can easily be adapted as a business plan or size shifts.
Companies that want to use CRM applications for sales force automation--an approach that lets them track all interactions with all their customers in one centralised location--also have good options among ASPs.
Companies that want to use an ASP for help-desk needs should expect to pay on a sliding scale. ASPs often charge a flat fee for a basic level of service, based on how many help-desk calls will be expected per month. Smaller companies often outsource some aspect of their accounting procedures--usually payroll--but not through an ASP. Businesses may also find this service available from some payroll centres via the Internet.
Many companies opt for such services, because that allows for quick and easy access by remotely located payroll departments (allowing several branches to be managed by the same staff). It's simple to provide data to third-party accountants as well; all a company need do is give them the password.
MIS ASP tip
When negotiating, remember that the amount you pay often depends on usage. Additional activity will greatly increase the price of the service. The best idea is to be liberal in gauging your anticipated usage--and your growth potential--so that you don't incur unexpected and much higher ASP expenses later on. The up-front bulk cost is always less expensive than the succeeding cost for increased activity.
--JP Vellotti
Contents
|
1. Intro 2. Network & Telco ASPs 3. Collaboration ASPs 4. Packaged applications ASPs 5. MIS ASPs 6. Data Management ASPs 7. Looking forward | |
Talkback 0 comments
- Mogeneration hires rickroll virus author
- Govt rejects Senate NBN report
- Minchin resigns over carbon plan
- NBN Co adds Labor, Telstra staffer
- IT faculty revolts over UNSW overhaul
- NAB issues contactless cards
- CSIRO issues telco tender
- NSW ponders open source, SaaS
- iiTrial judge locks out IIA
- Alcatel-Lucent hires Conroy staffer
- More articles »
Latest Videos
-
Google Chrome OS demonstration
Vice President of Product Marketing Sundar Pichai gives a virtual tour of Google's new operating system, Chrom… Watch it now -
Malcolm Turnbull's ghost twitterer
At the Sydney Media140 conference several weeks ago, Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull admitted he doesn't pe… Watch it now -
Surf the Net like it's 1991 with Gopher
The old Gopher protocol is not dead. In fact, it even has Twitter! Here's how to access it.… Watch it now - More videos »
Power Centre - Content from our premier sponsors
Having problems with complex data center? Simplify your data center now.
- Learn how to simplify your data center, lower costs and increase performance with Intel® Unified Networking Solutions.
Blogs
-
Is wholesale-only backhaul just a pipedream?
The potential acquisition of Pipe Networks by SP Telemedia has raised the question about whether vertically integrated backhaul providers will mean higher wholesale prices for ISP customers. -
Get extensions going in Firefox, redux
Previously on Null Pointer we looked at getting extensions working in Firefox betas, and that was great until the fine folks at Firefox changed their minds. -
How reliable is IP telephony?
Have you ever heard a weird kind of hissing, crackling or popping noise when calling someone on an IP telephony line? How rare is the phenomenon these days? - More blogs »
Tags
- 490 articles are tagged with 3g
- 43 articles are tagged with afact
- 1279 articles are tagged with apple
- 83 articles are tagged with asic
- 141 articles are tagged with ato
- 1308 articles are tagged with broadband
- 14 articles are tagged with cenitex
- 671 articles are tagged with cio
- 254 articles are tagged with conroy
- 393 articles are tagged with copyright
- 319 articles are tagged with court
- 47 articles are tagged with david thodey
- 156 articles are tagged with exchange
- 152 articles are tagged with firewall
- 1039 articles are tagged with government
- 790 articles are tagged with hp
- 1306 articles are tagged with ibm
- 224 articles are tagged with iinet
- 353 articles are tagged with iphone
- 289 articles are tagged with isp
- 7 articles are tagged with jodee rich
- 11 articles are tagged with kim carr
- 36 articles are tagged with michael malone
- 1484 articles are tagged with microsoft
- 36 articles are tagged with mike quigley
- 1127 articles are tagged with mobile
- 220 articles are tagged with national broadband network
- 400 articles are tagged with nbn
- 202 articles are tagged with new zealand
- 198 articles are tagged with nsw
- 61 articles are tagged with one.tel
- 930 articles are tagged with open source
- 885 articles are tagged with optus
- 16 articles are tagged with pdc
- 173 articles are tagged with queensland
- 2653 articles are tagged with security
- 70 articles are tagged with separation
- 10 articles are tagged with sp telemedia
- 180 articles are tagged with stephen conroy
- 656 articles are tagged with sun
- 85 articles are tagged with supercomputer
- 177 articles are tagged with sydney
- 232 articles are tagged with telco
- 61 articles are tagged with telecom nz
- 2447 articles are tagged with telstra
- 140 articles are tagged with tender
- 25 articles are tagged with thodey
- 32 articles are tagged with tpg
- 177 articles are tagged with victoria
- 79 articles are tagged with wholesale
Sponsored Links
- Having problems with complex data center? – Simplify now with Intel® Unified Networking Solutions
- Australia IT Salary & Skills Report 2009 – Join activeTechPros for free access
- A report by the BSA – Online software scams - a threat to your security
- Fuji Xerox – 0% finance on the latest Fuji Xerox A3 Colour Multifunction Devices. Conditions apply
- TPG ADSL2+ Broadband – 100 GB for $49.99 per month. Sign up now.
Featured
What makes you click?
Tell us for a chance to win a $1,000 GAME gift voucher.
Click here for more.
Optus Deal
Broadband + home phone + PlayStation®3 in a single package price! Click here for more!
Best Laptops
Check out the best laptops here!
Click here for more.





