| Beyond desktop and mainframe computing, advent | | | | Beyond desktop and mainframe computing, advent |
| of web technologies and resulting shared applications | | | | of web technologies and resulting shared applications |
| are creating new ways to meet some or almost all | | | | are creating new ways to meet some or almost all |
| aspects of information technology (IT) needs. | | | | aspects of information technology (IT) needs. |
| Concept of application service provision has come a | | | | Concept of application service provision has come a |
| long way since it first came on the scene in the late | | | | long way since it first came on the scene in the late |
| 1990s? Originally, the idea of virtual cooperation and | | | | 1990s? Originally, the idea of virtual cooperation and |
| application sharing came from Bill Davidow, a fellow | | | | application sharing came from Bill Davidow, a fellow |
| venture capitalist and entrepreneur. What Bill foresaw | | | | venture capitalist and entrepreneur. What Bill foresaw |
| as the future of computing is already in practice; a | | | | as the future of computing is already in practice; a |
| new IT business model. Hewlett-Packard and Qwest | | | | new IT business model. Hewlett-Packard and Qwest |
| are among the pioneers for providing application | | | | are among the pioneers for providing application |
| services. Microsoft also allows some companies to | | | | services. Microsoft also allows some companies to |
| offer its Back Office products, including SQL Server, | | | | offer its Back Office products, including SQL Server, |
| Exchange and Windows NT Server on a rental, | | | | Exchange and Windows NT Server on a rental, |
| pay-as-you-use basis. | | | | pay-as-you-use basis. |
| Hi-tech developments and changes at a fast rate are | | | | Hi-tech developments and changes at a fast rate are |
| moving towards convergence of the software, | | | | moving towards convergence of the software, |
| information, technology carriers, and computer | | | | information, technology carriers, and computer |
| engineering. Result: IT structural designs are shifting | | | | engineering. Result: IT structural designs are shifting |
| from desktop and mainframe environments towards | | | | from desktop and mainframe environments towards |
| Internet based structures. Similarly, software | | | | Internet based structures. Similarly, software |
| applications are altering from made to order and | | | | applications are altering from made to order and |
| separately owned solutions towards pre-packaged | | | | separately owned solutions towards pre-packaged |
| and Web based solutions. It is in this context that | | | | and Web based solutions. It is in this context that |
| ASP business model is getting more interest as a hot | | | | ASP business model is getting more interest as a hot |
| trend. | | | | trend. |
| IT business model that offers end users - small and | | | | IT business model that offers end users - small and |
| large businesses, government organizations, | | | | large businesses, government organizations, |
| non-profits, and membership organizations even | | | | non-profits, and membership organizations even |
| individuals -- an access to applications and services | | | | individuals -- an access to applications and services |
| over the Internet is known as application service | | | | over the Internet is known as application service |
| provider (ASP - not to be mixed with Active Server | | | | provider (ASP - not to be mixed with Active Server |
| Pages. It also is an abbreviation of as soon as | | | | Pages. It also is an abbreviation of as soon as |
| possible). It is sometime called software-as-a-service, | | | | possible). It is sometime called software-as-a-service, |
| on-demand computing, apps-on-tap or utility | | | | on-demand computing, apps-on-tap or utility |
| computing. | | | | computing. |
| Typically, the applications are deployed by a third | | | | Typically, the applications are deployed by a third |
| party that hosts, manages, updates software based | | | | party that hosts, manages, updates software based |
| services and solutions and distributes to clients from | | | | services and solutions and distributes to clients from |
| a central location. XML and HTML processes allow the | | | | a central location. XML and HTML processes allow the |
| clients to interact with the software. Sometime, ASP | | | | clients to interact with the software. Sometime, ASP |
| also rent out the server hardware and the network. | | | | also rent out the server hardware and the network. |
| What is more, many ASPs, particularly enterprise | | | | What is more, many ASPs, particularly enterprise |
| ASPs, have now started offering on site solutions in | | | | ASPs, have now started offering on site solutions in |
| which the relevant hardware, software and function | | | | which the relevant hardware, software and function |
| remain on the customer's site. | | | | remain on the customer's site. |