Caspio’s approach to development tools is a bit different. Like CollabNet, Caspio’s tools are hosted in a software-as-service mode.
Unlike CollabNet, which provides open source tools to developers, Caspio offers simplified tools for business users who use wizards to write relatively simple HTML web apps against Microsoft SQL Server. Using wizards, you don’t have to write SQL statements to get data from Caspio’s SQL Server back end, and the clients are all thin.
Under the covers, Caspio’s development environment is powered by a mix of Microsoft COM objects and the .NET framework. But that’s not what its customers see.
Founded in 2000, the company’s go-to-market plans were indefinitely stalled by 9/11. While it was already offering web development accounts on their website, for over a couple years, it didn’t market them.
As of 2004, the company began to open itself to new business, with this week’s announcement being the first major product rollout.
Ironically, the rollout offers few additional product features. But it does add 24 x 7 support, higher level service level agreement guarantees for customers that choose Caspio to host business-critical applications, and new customized training offerings.
Caspio Bridge Corporate is offered as a hosted solution, with pricing starting at $514.95 per month for unlimited users. Additionally, lower priced Lite, Standard and Dedicated packages are also available, plus an Enterprise Edition that could be hosted in house.