The Internet is enabling a new brand of Enterprise Application Integrators and Management options. Referred to as Application Service Providers, an ASP provides applications and all the IT infrastructure and support services necessary to deliver them to customers on a subscription basis. ASP's typically host and manage applications at a remote data center and deliver them to customers via the Internet. In order to successfully deploy applications to the subscribing company, ASP's are capable of providing the necessary software, application delivery, support, and network services.

There are numerous benefits to working with an ASP:

Faster speed to readiness since the ASP already has the software running on the Internet. All that is needed is your instance to be initiated.

Application Scale-ability. This means you can start with a pilot group and then bring on the rest of your organization in a manageable process as your needs change and grow.

Continuous access to the latest technology and upgrades you need to run your business without the risks, costs, and administrative responsibilities associated with developing and maintaining the required IT infrastructure.

Leverage the Security Infrastructure and Procedures of experts in this field to protect your valuable data while collaborating with business partners.

If your IT staff is under-staffed or without critical competencies and/or you desire an outsourcing of your enterprise applications, an ASP designs, builds, implements and manages world-class capability for your company.

Allows your employees to focus on your core competencies rather than administering to enterprise software. The ASP manages the application to ensure it is running 24/7/365.

Reduced cost of ownership. Subscribing to a service means you do not have to pay for hardware (server-storage), software, maintenance, administration staff, and help desk personnel for yourself. Since the service is rented on a monthly or quarterly basis, your enterprise software costs are extremely predictable and can be allocated in your operating budgets.

The ASP provides a help desk to assist your users and keep them productive.