Application service provider

An application service provider (ASP) is a business providing application software generally through the Web.^[1]

The ASP model

The application software resides on the vendor's system and is accessed by users through a communication protocol. Alternatively, the vendor may provide special purpose client software. Client software may interface with these systems through an application programming interface.

ASP characteristics include:^{[citation needed]}

• ASP fully owns and operates the software application(s)
• ASP owns, operates and maintains the servers that support the software
• ASP makes information available to customers via the Internet or a thin client
• ASP may bill on a per-use basis, a monthly/annual fee, or a per-labor hour basis

The advantages to this approach include:^{[citation needed]}

• Software costs for the application are spread over multiple clients
• Vendors provide more application experience than the in-house staff
• Key software systems are kept up to date and managed for performance by experts
• Access to product and technology experts dedicated to available products
• Reduction of internal IT costs to a predictable fee

Some disadvantages include:^{[citation needed]}

• The client must generally accept the application as provided
• The client must rely on the provider for a critical business function
• The client must adapt to possible vendor changes
• Integration with other applications may be problematic

See also

• Application server
• Business service provider
• Communication as a service
• Hosted service provider
• Multitenancy
• Outsourcing
• Service level agreement
• Software as a service
• Utility computing
• Web application

References

External links

• Application Service Providers at Curlie