Should I be using an Application Service Provider?

Introduction to Application Service Providers (ASPs)
They're the latest development in the web hosting industry and are gaining popularity around the world, but what exactly are Application Service Providers, and what can they do for your business? Application Service Providers (ASPs) are the latest trend in hosting, giving businesses the choice of outsourcing their externally hosted back-end applications, which allows them to save a great deal in operating costs. With an ASP, companies are able to do away with costly IT Department expansions, which can include high salaries, and expensive equipment and application purchases. The ASP takes the responsibility for developing, building, and distributing custom applications and databases for client use, giving companies another option to choose from.

How are ASP's different from normal web hosts?
There are a number of differences between ASPs and normal web hosts, perhaps the most noticable of which is the price. ASPs are often publically traded, or at the very least well funded by loads and loads of capital. ASPs are in many ways an "elite" class of web hosts, with a professional staff in charge of developing cutting-edge software and networking facilities. Services provided by ASPs are of the highest professional quality, and utilize the latest industry technology, backed by the broadest bandwidth and most complete range of customer care services anywhere. There is a price to pay for this level of service, however, and for most ASPs the minimum cost for services usually runs in the neighborhood of $10,000. This price tag puts ASPs out of the reach of many potential customers, but for those who can afford it, the superior quality of service will elimate all potential headaches, and in doing so, be well worth it. To put it in layman's terms, ASPs are like a brand spanking new Mercedes S-Series Convertible, and regular hosts are like a 1980 Toyota Tercel with a fading paint job. They both perform the same function, but on completely different levels, and to completely different standards.

What will I get from an ASP?
ASP's provide users with everything including the kitchen sink, in terms of services, including: databases, e-mail, processing, shopping cart options, e-commerce services, search engines, calendars, FTP applications, and custom programs. In addition, ASPs generally provide multiple servers (redundancy), 4-way replication, power backup, and 24-7 support, providing your site with most comprehensive list of services on the web. Therefore, when you consider the level of services provided by ASPs, the price you pay is well worth it, making ASPs an ideal choice for serious webmasters.

Should I be using an ASP?
For most webmasters, the mere price of an ASP all but puts it completely out of reach, however ASPs are an excellent, viable solution for serious, online businesses with sites generating large amounts of revenue. ASPs can also prove useful for webmasters or companies operating several websites, as many specialize in data warehousing, a service which stores text and graphics in database form. This allows existing text and graphics to be served dynamically as web pages, making continuous updates of sites simple and efficient. Additionally, data warehousing is an excellent solution for sites with lots of content, as it allows the site to be based on dynamic pages, rather than static ones, and thus actually automates content management.

If you are interested in using an ASP, be sure to shop around for the company offering the package of services best suited to your individual needs. ASPs are clearly the future of web hosting, and ASP technology is currently being developed by most major software companies. When you decide to choose an ASP, one thing is certain, you are paying for the peace of mind that comes with the knowledge that your website is in the hands of impeccable professionals, dedicated to providing you with the best services available.