Special: ASPs in Australia Part 2

Looking forward

With the growing popularity of ASPs, new types are already beginning to emerge that are likely to be standouts. The most promising: business procurement management (BPM) ASPs, vertical ASPs (so-called VSPs), and full service providers (FSPs), which are essentially an amalgam of all current types of ASPs. BPMs give managers real-time snapshots of the key details of a company's operations. These include inventory reports, shipping analysis, and production and supply data.

Vertical ASPs target niche markets. For example, a VSP that specialises in architectural applications would provide computer-aided design/computer-aided modelling (CAD/CAM) to small firms that would normally be unable to afford such sophisticated software--and couldn't find these programs in a traditional ASP.

FSPs deliver the whole range of ASP services, from networking to hosted apps to collaboration to data storage. To be successful, FSPs need a broad knowledge of applications, a solid networking infrastructure background, excellent customer service, and access to capital (their expenditures on technology are extremely high).

Later this year, look for a raft of new ASPs that take advantage of new wireless technologies. Peer-to-peer (P2P) will help fulfil businesses' "anytime, anywhere" information needs by replacing expensive desktop computers with cheap, purpose-built thin clients.

Another area that appears ready for a boom is smart phones and PDAs. Expect to see offerings that enable these WAP devices to engage in data transactions from users in the field.

--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

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