APPLICATION SERVICE PROVIDER

Domain	Definition
Computing	Application service provider (ASP) A service (usually a business) that provides remote access to an application program across a network protocol, typically HTTP. A common example is a web site that other web sites use for accepting payment by credit card as part of their online ordering systems. As this term is complex-sounding but vague, it is widely used by marketroids who want to avoid being specific and clear at all costs. (2001-03-26). Source: The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing.
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Specialty Definition: Application service provider

An application service provider (ASP) is a business that provides computer-based services to customers over a network. The most limited sense of this business is that of providing access to a particular application program (such as medical billing) using a standard protocol such as HTTP.

The importance of this marketplace is reflected by its size. As of early 2003, estimates of the United States market range from 1.5 to 4 billion dollars. Clients for ASP services include businesses, government organizations, non-profits, and membership organizations.

Provider types

There are basically four forms of ASP business. These are:

A specialist or functional ASP delivers a single application, such as credit card payment processing;
A vertical market ASP delivers a solution package for a specific customer type, such as a dental practice;
An enterprise ASP delivers a broad spectrum solutions;
A local ASP delivers small-business services within a limited area.

Some analysts identify a volume ASP as a fifth type. This is basically a specialist ISP that offers a low cost packaged solution via their own Web site. PayPal was an instance of this type, and their volume was one way to lower the unit cost of each transaction.

In addition to these types of firm, some large multi-line companies (such as IBM, use ASP concepts as a particular business model that supports some specific customers.

The ASP model

The application software typically resides on the vendor's system. XML and HTML processes on the client's computers interact with this software.

There are a number of advantages to this approach, including:

Software integration issues are eliminated from the client site.
Software costs for the application are spread over a number of clients.
Vendors can build more application experience than the in-house staff.

There are some inherent disadvantages, including:

The client must generally accept the application as provided since ASPs can only afford a customized solution for the largest clients.
The client may rely on the provider to provide a critical business function, thus limiting their ability to handle that function to that of the provider.
Continuing consolidation of ASP providers may cause changes in the type or level of service available.

External links

An Industry newsletter from Internet.Com Introduction to ASPs by stardock.net

Commercial Usage: APPLICATION SERVICE PROVIDER

Domain	Title
Books	Designing a First-Iteration Data Warehouse for a Financial Application Service Provider [DOWNLOAD: PDF] (reference) Brazil's Nascent Application Service Provider Ecosystem [DOWNLOAD: PDF] (reference) U.S. Application Service Provider Channels Forecast, 2002-2006: Are ASPs Positioned to Capture Pent-Up Demand? [DOWNLOAD: PDF] (reference) Asp Configuration Handbook: Application Service Provider (reference) Worldwide Personal Application Service Provider Market Forecast and Analysis, 2000-2005 [DOWNLOAD: PDF] (reference) (more book examples)
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Non-Fiction Usage: APPLICATION SERVICE PROVIDER

Subject	Topic	Quote
Economic History	Belgium	Furthermore, 22 percent of small companies and 28 percent of mid-sized companies in Belgium are considering hiring the services of an Application Service Provider (ASP) in the next 18 months. (references)
Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits.

Frequency of Internet Keywords: APPLICATION SERVICE PROVIDER

Modern Translation: APPLICATION SERVICE PROVIDER

Language		Translations for "APPLICATION SERVICE PROVIDER"; alternative meanings/domain in parentheses.
French		fournisseur de services applicatifs. (various references)

Pig Latin		applicationay ervicesay oviderpray
Source: compiled by the editor from various translation references.

Expression	Frequency per Day
application service provider	294
application service provider asp	15
application service provider uk	8
application service provider definition	3
health care application service provider	3
new jersey application service provider	2
e commerce application service provider	2
oracle application service provider	2
application service provider model	2
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

APPLICATION SERVICE PROVIDER

Specialty Definition: APPLICATION SERVICE PROVIDER

Computing

Specialty Definition: Application service provider

Provider types

The ASP model

External links

Commercial Usage: APPLICATION SERVICE PROVIDER

Books

Non-Fiction Usage: APPLICATION SERVICE PROVIDER

Economic History

Belgium

Frequency of Internet Keywords: APPLICATION SERVICE PROVIDER

application service provider

application service provider asp

application service provider uk

application service provider definition

health care application service provider

new jersey application service provider

e commerce application service provider

oracle application service provider

application service provider model

Modern Translation: APPLICATION SERVICE PROVIDER

French

Pig Latin

INDEX