These days, most new computer systems are being designed to utilize the Internet, and many older systems are being converted to do so. This is resulting, of course, because the web provides some significant technical advantages. Access to the system from separate locations is simpler to arrange. Updates to the system code can be quickly and uniformly propagated. On the user end, it is comparatively easy to make the system hardware independent. Extending the reach of the application beyond the organization is more easily done.

None of this is to imply, however, that all web applications are simply web sites in any traditional sense. What we mean to differentiate here are systems that really bear no resemblance to the typical web site. In fact, all of the Internet solutions we talk about in other parts of this site could be thought of as web applications. What we’d like to talk about are systems that until recently had nothing whatever to do with the Internet.

Many of the primary business systems that have traditionally been written to run in mainframe or client-server environments are now candidates to be web applications. This becomes especially true if there is need to share access to parts of the system with users outside the organization, such as suppliers, shippers, partners, investors, or even and perhaps most significantly, customers. It also becomes easier to maintain connections with employees, whenever they are away from the office.

We have built several significant systems of this type, and are highly conversant with the special issues that arise when dealing with the critical nature of such applications. For instance, we designed a comprehensive operational system for Flahive, Ogden & Latson that handles case management, docket management, attorney schedules, client profiles, representation conflict checking, rules-based billing, remote access to data and forms, centralized faxing, and many other firm wide administrative functions. This system has been running now for about three years to the delight of the client. Even though many of the interconnections are accomplished over the Internet, even the stringent security concerns of a legal firm are consistently met.

The primary secure site for the Department of Public Safety’s criminal history systems is also really a web application of this sort. Even though it feeds the publicly accessible sex offender and criminal history search sites, the main system is available only to law enforcement personnel, who are distributed across the state. Through complex data replication interfaces with the mainframe, data updates are made through the secure site, and law enforcement personnel have access to updated information within 15 minutes.

Key Benefits

Simplified Communications

Streamlined System Deployment

Reduced Administrative Expense