Accknowledge

Browser-based accounting lowers costs, improves security

In the height of dotcom optimism, IT gurus assured us that all we needed to run applications was a browser. They believed the days of fat client applications requiring high-powered PCs were over. However, it only took a few minutes trying to run some of these "applications of the future" to realise that the primary use of browsers would remain restricted to just the Web, for some time to come. 

Today the technology has matured, and the capabilities of browsers as well as development languages and techniques have improved to a point where a browser-based application is a viable alternative for business. Not only is it viable, but a well designed browser-based application is less costly and far more business-friendly.

Users must still identify browser-based applications, written from the start specifically to run in a browser. These are designed to take advantage of Internet standards and deliver lightning-fast responses from almost anywhere. This is as apposed to Web-enabled or browser-enabled applications that provide some sort of Web front-end to their programs, and are designed to make their developer look Internet-savvy.

Take the high road

Recent research commissioned by Redline Networks and Computer Weekly in the UK showed that of 500 senior IT employees surveyed, almost 50% are ready to make business applications available via the Web. The report further states that another 20% will be ready to move to browser-based applications at the end of 2005.
The drivers for change the survey highlights included flexibility, reduced IT costs, ability to manage legacy systems better, and increased employee productivity.

"These findings are confirmation of a global trend away from proprietary application interfaces that require time, money and expertise to maintain, to running applications in a browser window," says Henry Adams, country manager, InterSystems SA. "Browser-based applications cost much less to maintain and service because they are server-based and therefore only require front-end devices (PCs, laptops, thin clients or mobile devices) that can run a browser to provide a full user experience."

Most commonly used browsers support Internet standards and can therefore be used with browser-based applications. And all PC operating systems include at least one browser that has already been installed for the user, making it simple to set up the client. All IT staff need concern themselves with is maintaining the server.

"Running a browser-based application off a centralised server means the application is easily accessible via LAN, WAN or the Internet," adds Malcolm Granville, architect at Web Accounting Solutions. "And it reduces maintenance costs and effort even further because there is only one system to update and back up."

Web Accounting Solutions' application, Accknowledge, is a browser-based accounting suite based on CACHÉ, the post-relational database from InterSystems, that provides the full spectrum of accounting functionality, all accessible from a browser.

Accessible accounting

"In a world where people are more mobile than ever, and requiring greater access to their business data without problems and interruptions, Accknowledge offers the security and ease of use expected from traditional financial systems, without being tied to a desk," Granville says. "Accknowledge users can access their financial data from any system running MS Internet Explorer, while the CACHÉ database holding all the financial data is resident on a MS Windows server."

He continues that because a browser is used as the interface, users can reduce their technology refresh times, confident that their current PC hardware and operating system will be able to handle the application and its updates for years. Every time a user starts the application they are sure the latest version is being used, since the application only resides on a server and not on someone's desktop. The user therefore does not need to worry about versions and compatibility.

Granville adds: "As browsers only display the data and do not store it on the local machine, if a PC crashes, no data is lost and the database will not be corrupted. This means only the server needs to be backed up, which on its own saves endless headaches."
As the end-user needs grow, standard PCs can be used, and additional users added by the simple purchase of a licence. Maintenance and upgrades do not require costly onsite visits and user downtime is reduced.

Security not forgotten

"In a world where security is paramount, this application model delivers the goods," adds Adams. "Many managers take their laptops with them when they travel and risk losing their data due to theft or damage. With Accknowledge the data is not stored on the device, ensuring no one can access it. Users do not even need to take their laptops along to use the application; any computer with a browser and an Internet connection will do.
"The application enforces the access security on the server, keeping the data safe from prying eyes. Executives can rest assured their data is also protected by the security processes inherent to the CACHÉ database."

Browser-based applications are here to stay

Browser-based applications advances can now offer corporate users all the benefits of Internet standards, along with the ability to deliver the rich graphical interface they are used to seeing in their MS Windows applications. These applications are not merely add-ons to traditional applications, but specifically designed to take advantage of Web technologies, allowing people to be mobile without losing touch with their critical business applications. Users are able to access applications they need without being restricted to using a certain operating system or computer configuration.
The days of fat client applications controlling a desktop PC are over, where users were forced to upgrade their hardware and operating systems to be able to run new versions. Browser-based solutions such as Accknowledge are leading the way into a future in which software is designed to make the lives of users and administrators easier without emptying their wallets.

www.accnowledge.net