What do you mean by Application Service Provider (ASP)

[Flicker]

Hi,

As I am in the field of networking, want to know about Application Service Provider? I know that the software offered through an ASP model is also known as software on demand or Software as a Service (SaaS). So can you tell me more about this and what do you mean by Application Service Provider (ASP) ?

[Pyrotechnic]

An application service provider, or ASP is a company that provides computer services to its customers through a network. The software offered through an ASP model is also known as software on demand or Software as a Service (SaaS). The narrower sense of the term would be to facilitate access to an application program (such as customer relationship management), via a standard protocol such as HTTP. The need for ASPs has arisen from the increased costs involved in the specialized software that have far exceeded the price range given by the small and medium enterprises.

[Volodymyra]

Some analysts identify a volume ASP as a fifth type. It is basically a specialized ASP offering low-cost packaged solution through its own website. PayPal is an example of this type and the volume at which it operates is the way to reduce the unit cost of each transaction. Besides these types, some large multiline companies (like IBM) used the ASP concepts as a particular business model to support specific clients. There are several forms of ASP business:

• ASP or functional specialist that offers a simple application, such as processing credit card payments or the calculation of time worked;
• A vertical market ASP can offer a packaged solution for certain types of customer, such as a dental;
• ASP business, which displays a wide range of solutions;
• ASP to be local small businesses offering services in a limited area.

[JPGargoyle]

Some inherent disadvantages include:

• The client must generally accept the application serves as the ASP, since it can only offer a customized solution for the largest customers;
• The client should rest on the provider performing a critical business function, which limits control over that function;
• Changes in the ASP market may result in changes in the type or level of service available to customers
• Integration with ASP client systems may not be problematic.

[Maximus()]

The evaluation of the safety provided by an Application Service Provider when you opt for ASP infrastructure may involve a high cost, given that the company must assess the level of risk associated with the ASP itself.

• Failure to adequately assess such a risk may be held to:
• Loss of control over corporate data;
• Loss of control of corporate image;
• Level Insufficient ASP security to counter risks;
• Exposure of corporate data to other ASP customers;
• Commitment of corporate data.

[Khushal]

Some other risks include misperceptions about the financial future of the ASP business in general is, how stable is the company and if you have the resources to continue in business for the foreseeable future. For these reasons, Cisco Systems has developed a comprehensive assessment guidelines. This guide includes assessing the scope of the ASP service, security of the ASP program and the maturity with regard to security awareness. Finally, the guidelines indicate the importance of audits of the

• ASP with regard to:
• Port / network services;
• Application vulnerabilities;
• Staff of the company.