Application Service Provider or ASP is a service of an application for exchanging information over a public network and is used over PaaS now as SaaS. We have previously discussed about Software as a Service (SaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS). This ASP abbreviation must not have to be confused with the Server side Language Active Server Pages.

Application Service Provider (ASP) and Cloud Computing

Application Service Provider or ASP takes care of all the administration, such as data backup , patches, important updates etc. Unlike the application-hosting, Application Service Provider or ASP is a service, a service (as user support) to the application. Here in case of Application Service Provider, the required software is need not to be purchased but rented when needed can be assessed via the data network to use. With the help of Application Service Provider and services, companies can outsource all administrative areas or process steps and thus concentrate on their core business.

Important points on Application Service Provider (ASP)

The Application Service Provider service is usually offered as lease. A legal assessment as service contract is ruled out, because here the Application Service Provider service provider provide only the space, but not the deployment success. Since this is also missing warranty law, such a legal review would unduly disadvantage the interests of the user. Even a work contract can not be accepted and in Application Service Provider the software can only prepared a successful application, which could only be part of a contract with the user.

A specialist or functional Application Service Provider delivers a single application. Here are examples of such models :

• Vertical market Application Service Provider delivers a solution package.
• Enterprise Application Service Provider delivers all solutions;
• Local Application Service Provider  delivers within a limited area.
• Volume Application Service Provider provides low cost solution.