Web
Applications
Productive. Secure. Cross-browser. Responsive.
Why business solution should be web-based? Well, there are several reasons:
Cost effective development
With the applications that are web-based, users access system through an uniform environment - usually a web browser. While the users interaction with the application needs to be thoroughly tested on different web browsers, the application itself needs only be developed for a single operating system.
There is no need to develop and test and implement it on all the possible operating systems with various versions and configurations. This makes development and troubleshooting much easier and simpler.
Accessible anywhere
Unlike various traditional (desktop) applications, web systems are usually accessible anytime, anywhere and on any PC with an Internet connection. This puts the user in charge of where and when to access an application.
It also opens up modern possibilities such as global teams, remote offices, home working and real-time oline collaboration. The idea of sitting in front of a single computer and working in a fixed location is a thing of the past with web-based applications.
Easily customizable
The user experience and interface of web applications are easier to customize than is the case with traditional applications. This makes it easier to update the look and feel of the application or to customize the presentation of information to different user groups.
Hence, there is no longer any need for everyone to settle for using exactly the same interface at all times. Instead, you can find the perfect view for each situation and user.
Accessible for a range of devices
In addition to being customizable for user groups, content and can also be customized for use on any device connected to the internet. This includes the likes of PDAs, mobile phones and tablets.
This further extends the user’s ability to receive and interact with information in a way that suits them. In this way, the up to date information is always at the fingertips of the people who need it.
Improved interoperability
It is possible to achieve a far greater level of interoperability between web applications than it is with isolated desktop systems. For example, it is much easier to integrate a web-based shopping cart system with a web-based accounting package than it is to get two proprietary systems to talk to each other.
Because of this, web-based architecture makes it possible to rapidly integrate enterprise systems, improving work-flow and other business processes. By taking advantage of internet technologies you get a flexible and adaptable business model that can be changed according to shifting market demands.
Easier installation and maintenance
With the web-based approach installation and maintenance becomes less complicated too. Once a new version or upgrade is installed on the host server all users can access it straight away and there is no need to upgrade the PC of each and every potential user.
Rolling out new software can be accomplished more easily, requiring only that users have up-to-date browsers and plugins. As the upgrades are only performed by an experienced professional to a single server the results are also more predictable and reliable.
Adaptable to increased workload
Increasing processor capacity also becomes a far simpler operation with web-based applications. If an application requires more power to perform tasks only the server hardware needs to be upgraded.
The capacity of web-based software can be increased by “clustering” or running the software on several servers simultaneously. As workload increases, new servers can be added to the system easily.
For example, Google runs on thousands of inexpensive Linux servers. If a server fails, it can be replaced without affecting the overall performance of the application.
Increased security
Web-based applications are typically deployed on dedicated servers, which are monitored and maintained by experienced server administrators. This is far more effective than monitoring hundreds or even thousands of client computers as is the case with desktop applications.
This means that security is tighter and any potential breaches should be noticed far more quickly.