Why do we believe in Web Based Software?

It is due to Personal Experience

We made the decision over ten years ago to develop web based software to run our business. At the time there were plenty of adequate software packages we could install on our network. We shunned all of them and opted to develop our own Web Based Software instead.

The results exceeded expectations. In the beginning we had the same doubts as everyone else: will my data be secure, what about Internet outages, and is the Internet fast enough. All doubts were unfounded. The system has worked flawlessly.

Computers are in their infancy. When computers started people went to the store, purchased software with a manual, and installed it on their system. Things are changing. Software is mostly downloaded from the web. Even traditional software includes a web connection where updates are automatically downloaded and installed. The industry is slowly moving away from the traditional installed software model and moving toward doing things over the Internet.

In our case we never bothered with the traditional model at all. As the president here, I saw the traditional model of installed software as old fashioned from the beginning. I guess that perspective came out of my experience in the aerospace companies. They all used IBM Mainframe systems with databases, screens on terminals, and printed reports. They ran entire companies that way. The reason these companies were effective is because they were the only companies big enough to afford the BIG IRON enabling them to know where every part was and where it had been.

At that time IBM owned the mainframe market. They also owned the Personal Computer market. IBM was not about to cannibalize their million dollar machines with PCs costing a few thousand. So they purposely squashed any attempt to hook PCs together into a meaningful network that could rival the work done by the big mainframes.

That trend has continued to this day. With the advent of the Internet the interconnectivity problem is solved. Networking PCs with VPNs and that type of thing, in my opinion, is a technology that will fall away. Why? The Internet has already emerged as the standard for computer networks. It doesn't matter what computer giants say about it because it is outside their control. The Internet forms the world's largest, most reliable, standard network. That's how it is.

So, with the advent of the Internet, we now have the BIG IRON computer network we were denied twenty years ago. As a software developer, all we need is the platform, like the canvas for a painting. And what a platform it is! The Internet is like the mainframes of old except it connects every computer in the world, not just the internal network. What could be better than that?

So what would you develop for? One isolated computer or a network of all the computers in the world. It seems like a no-brainer to me. That's why all our software is developed to work over the Internet. Why would we waste time with anything less?

I find it funny that some of the big players are starting to think this way, like it is a revelation. We are now just starting to read about how this software company is planning to offer a Web Based Software this and that. That's something new? Who do you think owns webbasedsoftware.com? We do. We registered that name almost ten years ago. And they're starting to think that way now? A little late to the game, don't you think?

What makes Web Based Software so good?

The first thing is reliability. It runs on anything - Windows, Linux, Mac - it doesn't matter. The machines don't need to be in great shape either. They can be barely breathing but if they can get to the Internet, they can run the software just fine.

I don't know if you noticed but it takes skill to run a windows computer now days. First you have to keep it patched. If you neglect to install a patch you could be infected and ruined. You have to have virus protection installed and you better patch that too. If you do all that correctly, you are still vulnerable to Adware, Spyware, and other Malware. It takes an expert to run a windows computer. Any slip up and you're done.

What a hassle! Life is not supposed to be that way. With web based software you sidestep that entire mess. If that machine screws up, you through it out, and buy another one from dell for $400. Within a day or two you're back in business better than ever. There is peace of mind knowing you are not susceptible to any of those pitfalls.

The second thing is you can get at it from everywhere. Obviously there are security issues involved, but those can be handled. Security on the Web, if implemented properly, is good. Banks do it. With security handled you can open up whatever you do to all your constituents. There are no physical restrictions such as being on a network. For example you can extend your operational software to the public by making it interact with your Web Site. You also have the option of getting your vendors involved, your franchises, remote offices, traveling salesmen, and contract workers. The opportunities are endless.

Some people get hung up on the software ownership thing. Traditional thinking is that if you control (own) it then it will be safe and secure. Traditional thinking does't apply in cyberspace. Running a windows machine, let alone an entire network, is not an easy proposition anymore. You are never immune to system crashes. You've got to back up important data. Then there are internal problems to worry about, like a disgruntled employee. If you ran your system locally and something happened, what would you do? Are your critical databases backed up? The smart play is to have a single, dependable vendor who backs up your data as part of the service. That way you never have to worry about anything. With Web Based Software you take that critical aspect of your business and delegate it. Isn't that the smart way to do it?

What if the Internet goes down?

This is a good question. The Internet does go down from time to time. We have run our company with software that runs over the Internet for the past ten years. During that time the Internet has gone down. Did it interrupt business? Not really. The Internet is reliable and when it does go down it is a code red situation until it comes back up. You can't get email anyway, so you're basically down until you get it back up. If you look at your own situation, it isn't down very often. Well within acceptable limits for running a company.

Contrast that against running software solely out of your network. Are there problems? You bet there are. When they happen what do you do? Chances are you call the network contractor or perhaps you roll up your sleeves and try to figure it out yourself. This is downtime and it occurs more often and for longer periods than your Internet connection. These Internet errors are completely eliminated with Web Based Software. So you give up a little when the connection goes down (although you can still use dial up or wifi) but you gain reliability over all.

When it comes to software, the Internet is taking over.