Web-based Applications are web sites that offer more to the user than normal, static web sites. The difference is the way the information is provided to you. The site actually responds to the user, changing to provide the information the user wants to see. The Internet and web technologies can provide an alternative to traditional desktop software. You can move desktop applications to centralized servers where they can be accessed using a web browser. This approach, called web-based applications or Internet applications, enables organizations to rapidly adapt to changing needs while minimizing costs.
What are the advantages?
The advantages of Web-based Applications are:
more useful info to the user - users feel they are getting the information they actually want from the site and therefore come back more often
more useful info from the user
cost savings - Web applications provide immediate, seat-by-seat savings, but where they really begin to shine is in the long-term. Upgrades, licenses, maintenance, troubleshooting and backups can all take place in a single location, rather than dispersed throughout the enterprise.
Typical Web-based Applications
You will have experienced Web-based Applications if you have used online banking (e-banking) or a site that provides customized information, such as an online job board or online stock portfolio management tools.
Some examples of applications that Documedia has designed include:
Adapting collections of paper forms into PDF forms that input the data into a database to facilitate document management and printing. This process makes it easy for staff to complete common paperwork electronically and reduce re-keying of data.
Streamlining existing corporate systems, such as employee evaluations, benefits enrollment and sales fulfillment, by combining tasks performed by several programs into a single Web application.
Moving project planning and collaboration online with scheduling, discussion systems, document archiving and other services.
Insuring staff access to important information through Web-based document libraries and search engines
Dynamic intranet, job board, dynamic portfolio, press release, buy & sell, and many other web-based applications.
How do they work?
Web-based Applications are able to give the user a precisely tailored web experience by pulling out the most appropriate information (usually from a database), rather than being restricted to sending out one of a limited set of standard pages.
If you were using a Web-based scheduling program rather than local software, you would access the program as a web site. To use the scheduling software, you would start your web browser and point it at a web site's Uniform Resource Locator, or URL (for example, http://myserver/scheduler). Upon arriving at the correct site, your web browser will display a web page that lets you use the software. From there, the application functions in the same manner as local software. In this example, all scheduling information, calendar data, appointments, etc. are stored in the database, and retrieved via the web browser as needed. The functionality can, if desired, be identical to the traditional version of the same software.
Documedia web design consultant About the Author
Dominic Lachance is the Co-Founder and Vice-President of Documedia a company specialized in the integration of technology and businesss process as well as the training relative to the use of these new technologies.He has taken part in the development of numerous projects for different corporations and goverment ministries. He has also trained hundreds of people in the use of new technologies for the web, print and digital video industry.