There is a lot of talk about hosted applications and dedicated hosting but unless you have an IT background, the terms may be meaningless. These are terms that will become more significant as more businesses embrace the power behind them. Understanding what they mean and how they work for business may be the edge your company needs to get ahead.
The definition of a hosted application is any software as a service (SaaS) where users can access and use a given software application completely through the cloud by means of a recurring subscription service. A remote cloud infrastructure houses hosted applications. The host powers them, maintains them and updates them. These applications are available globally via the Internet. Users receive the same functionality as desktop installed software. The host has an easier time providing updates and maintaining the system than the user would on his or her desktop alone.
Dedicated hosting is growing in popularity because of the convenience it provides. There is no special hardware required. All that is needed is a connection to the Internet and a browser. Most services provide hosted applications in exchange for a monthly fee, and they work on a month-to-month basis, so there is no great outlay of cash.
These services are created to be accessed through the web through browsers and operating systems, and, accordingly, provide a low risk to the local system. Safety precautions are taken to ensure a secure data exchange, including the use of firewalls, encryption and other methods of security protection.
