Web Applications - what are they?

The Internet - so much more than a simple brochure or e-commerce shop.

If you think a website is the limit to the internet, you are potentially missing out on some of the largest aspects - which give the greatest benefits in terms of reduced costs, increased profits and market share.

Web Apps are a way of sharing processes between your office based staff, customers and remote workers - all are allowed to access and use a web database to undertake parts of a shared process.

Let's look at an example:

A garage wants to promote online MOT bookings. They ask a web developer to build them an online booking form. So now a customer can look at the Garages website at any time, and book online. BUT, the form simply sends an email to the garage office, the staff then check the paper diary and have to ring the customer explaining a particular time or date is not available.

It would be so much easier if Garage and Customers could see and book using the same diary - which they can using a Web App. Imagine a customer checking for MOT appointments during Sunday - they see a convenient time on Monday, select the time box and enter their personal details - confirming the slot straight away. A booking confirmation and map arrives via email seconds later.

On Monday the garage can continue accepting bookings for Monday as customers ring them - using the same on line diary, knowing which appointments have already been booked. The garage owner can also check on Sunday evening and spot he has a full day booked for the Monday and arrange extra staff to handle any further phone bookings.

Typical uses of Web Apps are:

• e-commerce systems which can be updated from anywhere in the world
• Admin systems and shared diaries
• email and message systems
• Lead tracking and database tools
• and almost anything which can have 2 or more people involved in a process.

Talk to us today about how your business could benefit