Web Applications for business customers

In the early days of the development of data transmission, a popular solution for creating software for companies was the use of local networks (LAN), through which applications working on different workstations communicated. However, the development of network infrastructure led to a trend towards creating web-based software, which is installed on an external data server, so that access to the software takes place via a web browser. The trend quickly turned into a standard and nowadays most programs designed for business purposes work this way. The reason for popularisation of this solution was the need to access data in real time by an unlimited number of users from any geographic location. Web applications provide this possibility, which makes them a very convenient tool to use. This technology brings several important advantages:

Ease of installation

Web applications do not require the installation any software on individual workstations - all that an employee requires to work on them is a web browser, which is preinstalled by default on most computers. The most familiar and popular web browsers can be used, such as typically pre-isnstalled Microsoft Edge or Apple's Safari, as well as Firefox, Chrome, Opera or any number of available programs of this type (web broswers). An employee simply opens a web browser, enters a web address and can immediately use an IT system.

When choosing custom designed software, however, you should specify early on whether the application is to work on only one web browser or if it is perhaps required to be compatible with many browsers. Individual web browsers differ in the way they interpret the data received from a web application, so custom applications need to be adapted to work with individual browsers, which gives software developers additional work to do. This applies to more advanced solutions - in the case of simple applications, this problem is of marginal importance. Custom software has another advantage over ready-made solutions in that it is possible to adapt it to specific conditions - in the case of purchasing a ready-made program, the problem often arises that it is only fully compatible with a limited number of web browsers, not necessarily the one that is currently used within the company.

Web applications have a further advantage in that they eliminate the need to access a specific network computer on which the program is installed - there is no danger that in the event of a workstation failure there will be limitated access to data or total loss of data. Also, updating the hardware infrastructure within the enterprise becomes much easier - in the case of this type of IT system there is no need to reinstall software on newly purchased computers.

Availability

The web application is installed on a central server, from where it can be accessed from any computer in the company, and - if necessary - also outside the company. Each employee receives an individual identifier (login) and a password assigned to them, by means of which they are able to use the application. This allows for very simple user management - within the program it is possible to create groups of people who are granted appropriate access rights to specific data and functions of the system. This allows each employee to be granted access only to those elements of the program which are required to perform the tasks related to their workstation. This system of assigning group and individual rights also protects against unauthorised access to data - the user can view only the information, which was authorised by the application administrator. This method of managing access allows for the easy and quick addition of new or removal of existing users, as well as making simple updates to access permissions should the scope of responsibilities of a given employee change - the whole procedure takes just a few mouse clicks.

It must be understood, however, that placing the application on a central server poses a certain threat - if the network fails and the employees do not have access to the Internet, they will also be cut off from accessing the application. This problem can be partially avoided by installing a web application on an internal server. Keeping all data on one device also raises concerns about the possibility of data loss - therefore, a very important aspect of taking care of the IT infrastructure in an enterprise is regular - as frequently as possible - backup of all databases, which should be on media independent of the main file storage location.

Data integration

The centralisation of the system is very important for the integration of data circulation in the company. The introduction of a single application, which can be used remotely, solves the problem of information flow in the case of a dispersed company structure. For example, individual branches can use a common application, so that all data on the company's operations are stored in a single IT system that can be accessed by all authorised employees from any location in the world - a company may have its branches located in a single city or on different continents.

A lack of data integration is a very serious problem for companies that use multiple IT systems for different tasks. Creating a single program, covering all the processes in the company, allows us to avoid situations where the flow of data is limited and causes disruptions to the proper function of the organisation.

Tailor-made software is a good solution for companies that want to unify the way they perform tasks within their internal structure. Dedicated applications, if well well implemented, will provide a high fidelity representation within the IT system, of all the processes taking place in the company. Additionally, if the software solution has a modular structure, it is possible to develop and modify it relatively easily, allowing for the modernisation and upgrading of that system to adapt to organisational changes that occur in every company over time. Furthermore, a modular system is wells suited to the extended process of implementing very complex solutions. There is no need to create a system that will immediately cover all aspects of the organization's activity - the open, modular architecture of the software allows you to add additional functions in stages. In this way, it is possible to carry out the implementation using an evolutionary approach, for example by designing new system modules, which will support subsequent departments as the company grows. The eventual result will be the creation of a central, coherent IT system, which will cover all the processes carried out by through all the functions of the company.

Security

For those who are less technically oriented, web applications may seem to be less safe, however, this is not really the case, and the very fact that this type of software is widely implemented, goes some way to demonstrating it as a proven technology which can be trusted. With this is mind, it is worth paying attention to the popularity of various types of web-services, such as EBay, Facebook or Gmail, which are very often relied upon in many types business activities - all of them have share the characteristics of web applications. First of all, access to the application - as mentioned earlier - is regulated by a complex system of permissions, ensuring that no unauthorised person will have access to the data contained within the system. All this is made possible by carefully designed methods of encryption of passwords and the use of secure connections based on SSL certificate (https), which guarantee the highest level of confidentiality of the data transmitted to and from the application.

Secondly, the possibility of connecting to a web application may be limited to specific IP addresses - appropriate access rights set on the server may allow to connect to it, for example, only from the company's office. The problem of remote access security (from outside the organization's headquarters) can be solved by using VPN, which allows remote access to the system only after the user's computer identifies himself/herself with an individual identifier assigned to him/her beforehand.

The possibilities of configuring web applications in terms of security are very wide, so a software manufacturer with the necessary knowledge can carry out even a very complex implementation, which will meet the highest standards in terms of data confidentiality. Of course, providing full access to the application from outside the company creates the risk of attacks, therefore it is necessary to take a very prudent approach to establishing IT security policy in the company. Additionally, you should think about whether to choose your own internal hosting or whether to use the services of external entities. An independent hosting company in many cases will have a better hardware infrastructure, which allows it to guarantee higher levels of technical efficiency of the servers, on the other hand, there is a problem of data confidentiality in the case of transferring that data outside, to third party servers.

Web applications are the right choice for companies looking for a convenient, secure and flexible solution to collect and process data relevant to their business. The wider possibilities of designing and configuring such software gives the freedom to adapt it to the individual needs of a given company. Undoubtedly, web applications will become a more and more dominant form of software used in business and private applications over the next few years.