The Synthasite team recently had a strategy & planning session, and one of the things we did, was to look at the real benefits of why users (we hope) would use a platform like Synthasite, instead of Dreamweaver or Frontpage (i.e. Web App vs Desktop App).
There is a screencast demo of Synthasite that we produced from the sessions, but also, here is the list of reasons that we came up with as to why Web Apps are superior to (most) desktop apps – and herein lies the future of the web! The clip is available on YouTube here and in higher res format here.
And here are the 20 reasons why Web Apps are superior to Desktop Apps!
Never installed
Browser based software never requires installation processes or hard drive space. It lives in a virtual cloud in the Internet and this means that whenever you launch it, it always has the latest version. Ajax has made it possible to deliver Desktop-like look & feel, and functionality, with no loss of performance!
Updates are seamless
Instead of having to patch each and every individual user, the patches/upgrades are applied to the server and each user received the updated version the next time they log in.
No legacy
This is a big issue for traditional software vendors. Users who purchase previous versions of a software almost always will result in legacy versions lying around which need support (which is costly). The problems relating to legacy software are almost limitless, and often is not efficient for both the vendor or the customer.
No admin rights required
Finally, a world where the network administrator in the company does not have to approve the installation of your software!
Available anywhere, anytime
Ok, so the anytime comment is a stretch, but that’s only until Adobe’s Apollo gets here (here’s hoping!). The same way that people access their email from any browser, web apps are exactly the same.
Platform independent
This opens a wider market for software vendors – no longer do they have to build technology around a specific platform and limit their market (or incur additional costs to build for another platform). The browser is the platfom and therefore I believe you will see increased uptake in OS’s like Mac OS and Linus, due to the increased availability of Web Applications.
Less environmental conflicts
There are certainly going to be a lot less bugs in Web based software, due to the fact that it is not depending on any of the hardware or environment settings in the OS that may usually cause a problem.
Enables social possibilities
Many Web Apps are creating chat facilities and the ability to share your work in real time. This removes the previous “stand-alone†functionality that use to exist with most installed desktop applications. The world is becoming more and more social – people want to collaborate and work online together – Web Apps allows this, painlessly.
Lower cost of sale
No boxes, printed manual, expensive shipping costs, CD’s, distribution channels, middlemen, etc. Desktop apps are going to be more economical to produce and will result in a lower cost of sale!
Usable from inexpensive PCs
$100 Laptops, here we come! What do you need a dual core processor for, if you’re running a thin client application? This opens up a world of cost savings for both companies and consumers, especially in the field of productivity apps (obviously, not gaming!).
Piracy-proof
Here is a big one. Imagine a world without software piracy. That world is here, and Web Applications are the solution to that problem. Next problem, please!
No bad debts
Sofware companies are often owed money from distributors, that invariably go bust from time to time. With Web Apps, the cash is collected upfront and as long as the customer pays, the account is in good stead.
Low-cost support and maintenance
Given that the browser is now the platform, operational support costs and maintenance for Web Application providers will drop substantially. No need to have expensive operating system gurus on hand to help with installation problems. Also, using products like the Amazon EC2 cloud, will allow scalability, without a proportionate increase in costs.
User’s data is kept safe in hosting environment
Although this is probably not going to be true for all Web App companies, but using providers like Rackspace or Amazon’s EC2 cloud will go a long way in reassuring your customers that their data is safer than on their desktop!
No Viruses
No installation, means no viruses. Start shorting all those Anti-Virus stocks! Enough said!
Low cost global distribution
No more channel reliance. Most software companies make it or break it, depending on their channel. Forget that – focus on the biggest channel of all – the 1 billion users online!
Lower software price entry point for customers
Given the benefits above, you will see more products such as Basecamp and Synthasite that will offer far greater value than their desktop equivalents.
Access to the entire assets of the Web (APIs, widgets, messaging, collaboration)
By being wired into the web, Web Apps are able to integrate seamless into API’s etc and are a lot more customizable, than traditional software applications.
Mobile is here
Compiled desktop applications are going to have a hard time being adapted for mobile devices. Web apps are ready made (in most cases).
Widest potential audience
For all the points above, this basically unlocks markets for software vendors that previously were inaccessible due to technical reasons.
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Comments On This Post
February 9, 2007 at 9:59 am
Vinny great post!
The idea is as you said, making it available anywhere, anytime…
February 9, 2007 at 7:59 am
Vinny great post!
The idea is as you said, making it available anywhere, anytime…
February 13, 2007 at 6:09 pm
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October 26, 2007 at 9:08 pm
“Never installed”
No, instead, it’s always downloaded. Forget gigabit – with enough users you’d need terabit… internet connections.
Not networks.
Unless the company’s the one hosting the web app, that is.
“Updates are seamless”
I’ll give you that one; “Clear your browser cache” “Huh?” is the only problem I see. However, there’s still the ability to use regular thin clients, e.g. Citrix.
“No legacy”
What? Aren’t there people still clinging to that evil NS4, or to IE6, or to Lynx?
“No admin rights required”
Assuming /everything/ you want is on the web, yes. Also, RDP/VNC, Citrix, etc….
“Available anywhere, anytime”
Yay, another Adobe product… am I the only one that sees a problem with that?
Anyway, true so long as the company’s not the one hosting the web apps, otherwise it’s up to the company whether or not it’s available anywhere.
Also, let’s not forget that this can be done with desktop apps anyway (RDP/VNC, Citrix, etc.).
“Platform independent”
N/A. It just turns from “This OS isn’t supported” into “This browser isn’t supported”.
“Less environmental conflicts”
See above, though granted there will still be less.
“Enables social possibilities”
N/A. You can have desktop chat/collab apps as much as you can have web ones, .. just like you can have NO web ones.
Collab files? Network files, collab apps, etc..
Just not applicable.
“Lower cost of sale”
I have to give you that one too.
“Usable from inexpensive PCs”
Thin client? What are you talking about?
Often enough you have to load a fair amount of resources and have to process all those fancy effects – they are a LOT more taxing when emulated from a browser rather than done natively.
“Piracy-proof”
Piracy often occurs from the inside, i.e. leaks, and therefore this is incorrect. The only way this wouldn’t apply is if everything were to be open-source (Yeah, right – like they’d be that brave!).
“No bad debts”
Conversely, if your web app provider goes bust and you had to use their servers, there go your apps.
Possibly your files too.
“Say, did anyone export that document I spent a few weeks on…?”
“Low-cost support and maintenance”
Instead, you’re just saying, “We did a boo-boo exporting our code from the test server to the production server. Come back tomorrow. Have a day off or something.”
Well, ‘day’ is a stretch, but you get the idea. Everyone using that web app goes down when that happens, not just one person, or one group/team, or (maybe) one company.
This makes potential faults and other issues become a SEVERE cost.
“User’s data is kept safe in hosting environment”
Pseudo-safe. Viruses will adapt to web apps too, likely.
“No Viruses”
As long as there’s something executing, there’s a possibility of infection. It may be harder, but it’s still there.
“Low cost global distribution”
Yeah. All you have to worry about is latency (Again, if not hosted by the company).
“Lower software price entry point for customers”
This was possible beforehand; The ideals that people are having about the Web, however, is forcing companies to realise that sharing with the end-users is a good thing.
“Access to the entire assets of the Web (APIs, widgets, messaging, collaboration)”
…? Do you think these things are exclusive to the web somehow? They quite simply aren’t.
Unless, of course, you’ve forgotten that the Web is part of the Internet (for one).
“Mobile is here”
Depending on your resolution, yes.
Don’t try Gmail on your cell phone! (Although they probably have a special interface for those, the point is that no, you still have to make changes.)
“Widest potential audience”
Given, but it seems to me you’ve already mentioned that with ‘channels’.
October 26, 2007 at 7:08 pm
“Never installed”
No, instead, it’s always downloaded. Forget gigabit – with enough users you’d need terabit… internet connections.
Not networks.
Unless the company’s the one hosting the web app, that is.
“Updates are seamless”
I’ll give you that one; “Clear your browser cache” “Huh?” is the only problem I see. However, there’s still the ability to use regular thin clients, e.g. Citrix.
“No legacy”
What? Aren’t there people still clinging to that evil NS4, or to IE6, or to Lynx?
“No admin rights required”
Assuming /everything/ you want is on the web, yes. Also, RDP/VNC, Citrix, etc….
“Available anywhere, anytime”
Yay, another Adobe product… am I the only one that sees a problem with that?
Anyway, true so long as the company’s not the one hosting the web apps, otherwise it’s up to the company whether or not it’s available anywhere.
Also, let’s not forget that this can be done with desktop apps anyway (RDP/VNC, Citrix, etc.).
“Platform independent”
N/A. It just turns from “This OS isn’t supported” into “This browser isn’t supported”.
“Less environmental conflicts”
See above, though granted there will still be less.
“Enables social possibilities”
N/A. You can have desktop chat/collab apps as much as you can have web ones, .. just like you can have NO web ones.
Collab files? Network files, collab apps, etc..
Just not applicable.
“Lower cost of sale”
I have to give you that one too.
“Usable from inexpensive PCs”
Thin client? What are you talking about?
Often enough you have to load a fair amount of resources and have to process all those fancy effects – they are a LOT more taxing when emulated from a browser rather than done natively.
“Piracy-proof”
Piracy often occurs from the inside, i.e. leaks, and therefore this is incorrect. The only way this wouldn’t apply is if everything were to be open-source (Yeah, right – like they’d be that brave!).
“No bad debts”
Conversely, if your web app provider goes bust and you had to use their servers, there go your apps.
Possibly your files too.
“Say, did anyone export that document I spent a few weeks on…?”
“Low-cost support and maintenance”
Instead, you’re just saying, “We did a boo-boo exporting our code from the test server to the production server. Come back tomorrow. Have a day off or something.”
Well, ‘day’ is a stretch, but you get the idea. Everyone using that web app goes down when that happens, not just one person, or one group/team, or (maybe) one company.
This makes potential faults and other issues become a SEVERE cost.
“User’s data is kept safe in hosting environment”
Pseudo-safe. Viruses will adapt to web apps too, likely.
“No Viruses”
As long as there’s something executing, there’s a possibility of infection. It may be harder, but it’s still there.
“Low cost global distribution”
Yeah. All you have to worry about is latency (Again, if not hosted by the company).
“Lower software price entry point for customers”
This was possible beforehand; The ideals that people are having about the Web, however, is forcing companies to realise that sharing with the end-users is a good thing.
“Access to the entire assets of the Web (APIs, widgets, messaging, collaboration)”
…? Do you think these things are exclusive to the web somehow? They quite simply aren’t.
Unless, of course, you’ve forgotten that the Web is part of the Internet (for one).
“Mobile is here”
Depending on your resolution, yes.
Don’t try Gmail on your cell phone! (Although they probably have a special interface for those, the point is that no, you still have to make changes.)
“Widest potential audience”
Given, but it seems to me you’ve already mentioned that with ‘channels’.
February 19, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Lower cost of sale
No boxes, printed manual, expensive shipping costs, CD’s, distribution channels, middlemen, etc. Desktop apps are going to be more economical to produce and will result in a lower cost of sale!
Do you not mean Web apps are going to be more economical?
February 19, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Lower cost of sale
No boxes, printed manual, expensive shipping costs, CD’s, distribution channels, middlemen, etc. Desktop apps are going to be more economical to produce and will result in a lower cost of sale!
Do you not mean Web apps are going to be more economical?
February 20, 2008 at 3:34 am
Neither. The only reason desktop apps have those in the first place is because PEOPLE LOVE THEM.
So, web or not, that one gets scratched.
February 20, 2008 at 1:34 am
Neither. The only reason desktop apps have those in the first place is because PEOPLE LOVE THEM.
So, web or not, that one gets scratched.
September 13, 2008 at 12:43 pm
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September 17, 2008 at 11:58 am
Im kinda paranoid about: “User’s data is kept safe in hosting environment”. You might however be right about the rest.
October 15, 2008 at 10:09 am
Thanks for your valuable comments given by you. Hope it might helpful to others like me. Thanks for your post
October 20, 2008 at 12:27 am
For Internet Marketers online applications are a must. Mobility, cost, maintenance free, secure locations… the list goes on and on. Having worked for a web based software company it helps to know that the users don't need a local admin to make it work.
November 9, 2008 at 5:40 am
Well I think that web apps are way to go nowadays
December 26, 2008 at 11:01 am
I really enjoyed your post. Thanks for your advices! I really must trySynthasite You have shown his real benefits and why users should use a platform like Synthasite, instead of Dreamweaver or Frontpage. Your arguments are very convincing!
Thank you very much for your article! Hope it might helpful to others like me.
March 11, 2009 at 1:48 am
You are quite right, i mostly prefer web apps over desktop apps, as everything is online.
Thanks
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March 12, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Hi Vinny, I do agree with your statements about why web apps are superiour to desktop apps.However, I couldn't find any remarks about downtime. Because sometimes I am very happy that I installed some apps on my desktop, especially when I can't get a connection 'the internet'. Regards, Chris.
March 29, 2009 at 12:24 am
I mean, yes they have many advantages now that you mention it. And this i certainly the direction computing is taking. First they had mainframe based connectivity, then standalone PCs which became connected through the Internet. Now the Web is starting to be able to do what mainframes failed to deliver, the remote applications.
March 31, 2009 at 8:21 pm
I will prefer Web Appps cos it is Platform independent and it is available any where and any time.
April 7, 2009 at 1:03 am
I use web apps all the time and with the advent of cloud computing, you can really tell thats the way its going.
April 22, 2009 at 5:31 am
Thanks for the difference between web apps and windows application . this will help the any one who has douts in what to adopt in a convincing fashion.
April 27, 2009 at 12:12 pm
we required internet connection right to access the application? What if the place we go dont have internet?
April 27, 2009 at 11:19 pm
You have shown his real benefits and why users should use a platform like Synthasite, instead of Dreamweaver or Frontpage.
April 30, 2009 at 7:50 am
Nice post..Web application are popular because they update and maintain web application without distributing and installing software…No viruses which means my system is in a safer side…I prefer web application…Thanks for ur post…Web rules the World.
May 4, 2009 at 6:30 pm
software applications is the future. It automate all processess and facilitate them.
May 17, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Oh, I've just known about the other advantages, but I love Web apps because of its Lower cost of sale.
May 18, 2009 at 7:12 am
I think the reason number 1 is convenience , for example all chat sites that were using desktop software now all moved to flash.
May 19, 2009 at 11:36 pm
web apps is the way to go nowadays
May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
I never thought about online apps like that before but its true, so eventually everything should be online I guess. Great post!
May 26, 2009 at 6:00 am
I want to develop a web application but i cant know what type of web application. But with this i got a good review on web application.
Thanks for the post…
May 29, 2009 at 10:30 am
[...] 20 reasons web apps are superior to desktop apps [...]
June 4, 2009 at 11:00 am
nowadays web is the good way to follow !! thanks for sharing feelings and knowledge !!!
June 9, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Eventually everything will be linked together, and there will be no such thing as a non networked PC or application.
June 13, 2009 at 2:57 am
I agree, it's just so convenient and efficient to have web apps as to desktop ones, not to mention the fear of getting malware or spyware from downloading and installing things onto your pc? ugh
June 15, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Also adapted for mobiles is a good advantage
June 19, 2009 at 3:55 am
Web Applications happen to be SO much more convenient – not to mention the fact that they don't eat away at your HDD capacity. It also allows web applications to have social networking which is always a plus.
June 20, 2009 at 8:44 pm
I have been in the web design business for about 7 years now. Web apps are becoming a very important part of the internet. Web apps are another great example why the internet can help just about anyone not just "techy people". My company Altec Design has created several web apps for several for our clients. Web apps are a great example of how the internet is making life easier.
June 21, 2009 at 12:58 pm
thanks for sharing, I strongly support web apps over desktop apps to be the future of platform.
June 25, 2009 at 4:58 am
thanks for great info.. destop app is cheaper than other.. use itu economis
June 25, 2009 at 4:59 am
I never thought about online apps like that before but its true, so eventually everything should be online I guess. Great post!
June 26, 2009 at 1:52 pm
The best thing is, if you are not connect internet in your own computer, and access internet in many different computer.
Web Apps Rocks
June 28, 2009 at 7:16 pm
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June 30, 2009 at 4:18 am
Web apps are the way of the future, there is no escaping it. Still I really prefer the security of the desktop application, I like knowing I have the data on my local machine and for so many applications like photo editing for example it just seems to make more sense to keep the number chrunching on the client side. Still when it comes to the creative apps, there is nothing like being able to collaborate with people all over the world, so web apps win out again.
July 10, 2009 at 4:26 am
There is a screencast demo of Synthasite that we produced from the sessions, but also, here is the list of reasons that we came up with as to why Web Apps are superior to (most) desktop apps – and herein lies the future of the web! The clip is available on YouTube here and in higher res format here.
July 14, 2009 at 7:38 am
Now might not be the best time to go looking for Web applications, but I bet as soon as it starts to ramp back up it’s going to be a feeding frenzy
July 21, 2009 at 9:45 am
Web Apps provide more feature as compare to goolge apps i think that is why mostly people consider web apps. I am also Web Apps developer and know it very well.
July 24, 2009 at 7:21 am
Thanks for your advices! I really must trySynthasite You have shown his real benefits and why users should use a platform like Synthasite, instead of Dreamweaver or Frontpage. Your arguments are very convincing!
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July 24, 2009 at 7:21 am
Dan semua file-file kita yang ada di “My Documents” akan pindah ke server di internet. Sehingga nantinya satu-satunya aplikasi yang ada di desktop anda adalah web browser untuk mengakses semua aplikasi dan file-file anda. Istilah bekennya
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July 25, 2009 at 5:06 am
thanks for your reason
July 26, 2009 at 12:57 pm
I will prefer Web Appps cos it is Platform independent and it is available any where and any time.
July 26, 2009 at 4:11 pm
i try web Apps and i think this is extra
August 2, 2009 at 11:35 pm
The world is becoming more and more social – people want to collaborate and work online together. Nothing but the truth!
August 2, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Ajax has made it possible to deliver Desktop-like look & feel, and functionality, with no loss of performance! I wouldn't be so sure about that
August 7, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Ajax no wonder is a fantastic thing. i am using all all ajax technology in my upcoming website.
August 10, 2009 at 8:24 am
This is an excellent article on web apps. I love to read it. Thanks
August 11, 2009 at 11:58 am
I agree with you…. thanks for sharing this info post.
August 16, 2009 at 3:15 pm
thank you for sharing
August 17, 2009 at 9:31 am
hei thanks man for this detailed information about the web applications and the desktop applications…
September 1, 2009 at 12:41 am
It’s so great!
September 2, 2009 at 6:50 am
The one bug downside of server side apps is portability.
Add this to the fact that you dont have control of the data; so if it is lost/hacked etc etc you may be losing valuable information, also due to this lack of control you cant definitely say you know how your data is being used.
September 9, 2009 at 12:40 am
Great arguments, Vinny. Can’t really dispute any of them. But surely you know, it’s all going to migrate online anyway. All of the usual reasons, universal availability, etc.
I agree with you, but it’s a losing argument anyway!
September 13, 2009 at 7:34 pm
i think several times later on, there will be exist a hybrid application between desktop and web..
September 18, 2009 at 7:20 pm
I agree with you, since I like web applications rather than desktop applications.
Sorry, comments for this entry are closed at this time.