Application service provider (ASP) - How To Discuss

Application service provider (ASP),

Definition of Application service provider (ASP):

1. Firm that sells usage of computer programs via internet. An ASP (equipped with all required software, hardware, and trained employees) guarantees trouble-free availability of the application programs on a continuous basis. Customers use the programs they need, for a fixed monthly fee or usage based charges. The data generated by those programs can either be stored on the customers computer or on the disk space rented out by the ASP on its storage devices.

2. (In later use) a business or other organization that provides access to specialized applications or related services via a computer network (in later use especially the internet); abbreviated ASP.

3. (Originally) an item of software designed to provide and manage network access to applications run on a central processor or mainframe (now rare).

Application Service Provider (ASP)

An Application Service Provider (ASP) is defined as a company that provides application functionality and related services over a network to multiple customers using a rental or usage-based transaction pricing model. Gartner defines the ASP market as the delivery of standardized application software over a network, but not specifically or exclusively over the Internet, through an outsourcing agreement based on usage-based transaction pricing. The ASP market is a mix of service providers (web hosting and outsourcing), independent software vendors and network/telecommunications providers.

This marketing term is used to distribute services and software solutions across the network to individual users or to the entire company. With ASP, companies can outsource all aspects of their IT needs.

An Internet network that can be accessed through the Internet rather than by installing software. It integrates quickly with other websites and the services are easy to implement and scalable.