Internet (ASP) vs Enterprise Workforce Solution

Index

1. Definition of ASP's
2. Benefits of the ASP Model
3. Benefits of the Enterprise Model
4. Hybrid Applications - Combining the Benefits
5. Comparing the True Cost of Ownership

Benefits of the ASP Model

As a growing number of companies discover every day, working with an application service provider (ASP) offers a number of valuable business benefits. These benefits include:

	Continuous access to the latest technology you need to run your business
	Improved ability to focus resources on core business issues, rather than IT concerns
	Faster implementation of new applications and technologies
	Easy application scalability
	Access to comprehensive security, back-up, disaster recovery and support services
	Preservation of existing investments in legacy computers
	Reduced total cost of IT ownership
	Greater predictability of IT costs
	Increased IT flexibility
	Preservation of capital
	Simple, low cost implementation of multi-location applications
	Benefit from ongoing improvements that are added to attract new users
	No software support fees

Perhaps one of its biggest benefits of an ASP is that much of the fear factor is eliminated for service companies wishing to acquire a new workforce solution. Purchasing an expensive Enterprise application can be an intimidating decision for business owners, for fear of making the wrong selection. Most ASP's offer a trial period or short-term contract period in which the service company could test drive the product. The field trial also has the side benefit of testing how your staff will respond to the changes in work process. At the same time, they feel like they are involved in the selection process. Empowerment can go a long way towards a smooth implementation...

Many service organizations, particularly those with fewer than 100 vehicles, do not have in-house IT capability. The operation of their internal PC network must be contracted out to a third party company, on which they depend to keep things going. Often, they are at the mercy of such a company and when things go wrong, they must contend for their attention and service.  With the pure (web native) ASP model, there is no need for a dedicated IT department and contracted IT services are likely not even necessary. All that is required is a simple LAN with Internet access, sitting behind an inexpensive firewall.

A major advantage of the ASP solution is that typically, there is no capital investment required. In fact, many ASP's even dispense with the credit check, as they can simply suspend access for delinquent accounts. These benefits makes the ASP very appealing to cash starved or startup service companies who want all the same advantages in automation as their larger, established competitors.

For larger organizations, the ASP can mean bypassing lengthy, cumbersome budgeting exercises, instead passing the monthly costs through an operating budget.  For geographically dispersed organizations, the ASP greatly simplifies implementation and significantly lowers IT costs. Companies wishing to operate on a centralized database have no need to deploy high power servers for Citrix or Terminal Server architectures. Essentially, the ASP takes geography right out of the equation. Even out of date desktop PC's in remote locations can enjoy reliable access.

There is no doubt that ASP solutions have become viable alternatives to many Enterprise or Client/Server applications.