Former engineering software house Esoft Ltd has launched what it says is Europe’s first web-based application service provider, and is taking the unusual approach of targeting ISVs that wish to provide online demos and tutorials of their software. UK-based Esoft, with no relation to US-based Esoft Inc, says it can help ISVs reduce their sales expenses by making demos of their applications available over the web for a setup charge and monthly fee. The firm says it expects this to become its core business, rather than the more usual ASP approach of renting expensive, cumbersome apps to small and medium-sized businesses. But David Sidwell, product manager at Esoft, says he expects most ISVs that try the demo service will want to expand the relationship into a full-blown renting-over-the-web deal. Currently, demos are up and running Microsoft Office 2000 applications, but shortly the Autoroute journey planner software will be available. A partnership with 4GL developer Progress Software Corp could see any of their 200 ISVs use Esoft shortly.
The service, Managed Internet Applications, needs a browser plug-in or a specially configured firewall on LANs, but allows full-blown online tuition (and sales pitching) via a web page that is hosted by Esoft but transparently linked to the ISV’s site. Support coaches can access sessions and advise users on request. Sidwell thinks the web-based nature of the service is the real selling point. Users can access their desktops via any browser-enabled device in the world. For security, the system uses a device from Security Dynamics Inc, which creates a new login password every minute by running the time and user name through a complex algorithm. The same algorithm runs on the host server, meaning the generated passwords match every minute. Data is transmitted using 56k encryption.
