What
is it?
There
is convergence of software solution and
the Internet, to automate business  information processes,
whose parts are scattered over geographical locations.
The big, obvious, open secret reason for this is
that Internet as worldwide communication medium is
available either for free or for a song. In this sense,
when we say that the third generation of Internet
implies bringing the companies online, in effect what we
are saying is that, we are integrating the web with the software solution.
Depending
upon the trade/industry segment, part of the business process logic and
data, could lie on the Internet server and the other
parts could lie on the intranet/local server. These
distributed system products / services are integrated seamlessly
in web enabled software solution.
Options for Companies
There are two options that a company can
consider, while opting for web based software
solution:
- Outright purchase of web based modules for
standard business processes and integrating them
with company web site. These modules could be picked
up off the shelf or they could be customized.
- Or they can lease /
rent web based software
(application / module / service / solution). This
manner of software usage is called Application
Service Provider (ASP) model.
Renting of
software has the advantage of less cost, as the payment
norm could be per user per month (PUPM). Also,
continuous product upgrade is the responsibility of the
Application Service Provider.
Example
An example
of a generic web based software module could be eOrder
Placement module. In one such modules, created by
ScanTrax Systems, remote clients could be located
anywhere in the world. The order performa of the company
is placed on the company web site and the registered
clients can place their orders on the net. Their bill or
invoice is generated on the net itself. The local
component of the software module residing on the local
server of the company can regularly pull in the
order placement data from the internet.
To try out
the net based working model of eOrder Placement module, click
here .
Thereafter,
follow help given on the opening
screen.
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