Chapter 1 - An Introduction to ASPs for ISPs

Abstract

This chapter addresses the technical issues with services and obstacles, changes, and concerns that crop up when converting to an application service provider (ASP). Internet service providers (ISPs) are now finding that they are faced with a progressively narrowing margin brought on by fierce competition, with little available differentiation in their offerings. ISPs offer new sets of services and tools to manage and reduce costs. ISPs were primarily created to supply Internet connectivity (dial-up, dedicated, always on access), electronic mail (e-mail), and domain name services (DNS). With a conversion to an ASP, there is a need to house fully redundant server-based services, high-speed data switching, and load balancing, which will allow for greater levels of application service and a superior class of service to their customers. Many ISPs are changing their business model to become ASPs. The most successful of these will deliver applications in a secure, highly available infrastructure that will provide network support, implementation, and maintenance. The ASP concept is the advent of a new computing era, with small to medium-sized companies searching for IT alternatives, and a gradual acceptance among larger enterprises.