A Guide to Web-based Business Applications

Print-Friendly Version Using this Guide: The following guide to Web-based Applications has been developed to help viewers identify the many ways that Web-based applications are used by modern businesses. Readers of this guide will learn how businesses are using the Internet to enhance sales, customer support and a variety of other business functions. The guide is not meant to be an in-depth analysis on any specific type of application. Instead, it provides an overview on application categories and some of the more common uses of Web-based applications to meet business needs. Disclaimer: As a leader in Web-based application consulting, development and implementation, Webulant offers a large variety of expertise in the selection of existing Web applications or the development of custom applications to meet unique client needs. Webulant does not endorse specific Web-based products. Instead, Webulant evaluates client needs and uses our teams’ experience and knowledge to match an existing product or a customized solution to those needs. With a few exceptions, no specific product names are mentioned in this guide. The exceptions, WebEx and Placeware, are mentioned because they hold unique positions within their industry and are not intended to be endorsements by Webulant. Any organization requiring more information on Web-based applications can contact Webulant at info@webulant.com What is a Web-based Business Application? Web-based business applications are software applications that reside on a Web server and have a User Interface that allows users to utilize the application using a Web browser.  Proper use of Web-based business applications can significantly reduce costs while expanding the reach, integration, and efficiency of many business processes. Web-based Business Application Utilization: Businesses typically use Web applications for one of two reasons    1) Using the Internet to bring in more business    2) Using the Internet to automate or streamline processes so as to serve your existing clients         better. The following examples of Web applications address one or both of these reasons: 1. Using the Internet to bring in more business Businesses can use Web-based applications to attract a larger market share and to expand beyond the geographical limitations of their brick-and-mortar location(s). Typical Web applications include: - E-commerce: Shopping carts allow clients to easily purchase items from any geographical location. This type of application is often combined with Inventory management (see below) utilization. - Service/Product or Information Display: Applications using a database that dynamically displays services, products or large-volume information to site viewers. Examples would include:
Real Estate Listings: Residential and commercial listings with a password-protected administration section that allows for creation/editing of listings. Restaurant Menu Listings: menu item listings with a password-protected administration section that allows for creation/editing of listings. Retail Item displays (Non e-commerce displays. Example: Security systems displayed showing different systems capabilities and pricing. This type of sales is not typically conducive to e-commerce, requires at-home estimates and would not involve online credit card transactions.) Hotels/Airlines: Service availability (typically combined with e-commerce applications) Event management: (When Calendar applications would not apply) Database Display: Generally used for any database holding information that a business feels would help viewers in deciding to use their services. (Examples: Automotive parts dealer with online parts database. Gym showing available trainer/equipment times and dates. Training company showing available classes with times and dates. Recruiting company showing available positions.) Document Display: (Example: Company displaying a large number of PDF user/administrator guides, product information listings, licensing information, etc.)	Examples of Webulant Clients Using Web-Based Applications  User Management: Red Cross Event Management: Coxat.com Calendar: City of College Park, GA Store Locator: Red Cross E-Commerce: ExoticSinks.com E-Commerce: Deerscram.com Help Desk: Fixaudio.com Recruiter/Jobs: Prione.com Realtor (Multi-Agent): Apollo Assoc. Realtor (Single Agent): Barbara Pellegrino  Webulant is experienced implementing all of the application types mentioned in this article.  If you are interested in learning more about Web-based business applications and how they can benefit your business, contact us. Webulant Consulting can Save Your Business Time and Money.
- Email Marketing: Use a Web application that allows Web site visitors to subscribe to announcements or newsletters. This gives businesses an ever-growing database of contacts to which they can direct email marketing efforts. - E-Newsletters: E-Newsletter applications are used by site owners that want to publish a periodic (usually monthly, quarterly, etc) newsletter that enables them to communicate with prospects, clients or both. The applications typically have a “subscribe/unsubscribe” area on the public Web site and may offer public access to current and/or archived issues. The real power of this type of application is on the administrative section. This section normally allows site owners to target specific categories of subscribers or the entire subscriber base and then lets the site owner publish an HTML and/or text-only version of a newsletter that can then be sent to specific members of the database. - Sales Force Automation: This is one of the largest and fastest growing utilizations of Web-based applications. This is often used in conjunction with a Company Intranet (see below.) - Sales Presentations: This set of applications should belong in the SFA category, but it has grown so fast and so comprehensive that no thorough examination of Web-based applications would be complete without covering it in some detail. Simple versions include interactive Flash/Shockwave-based movies that guide viewers through product/service presentations or demonstrations. Advanced versions, including large corporate tools like WebEx and Placeware offer advanced multi-location conferencing, live application demonstration, screen sharing and more. - Web Tools: One of the best ways to build traffic and generate repeat visitors to a site is to provide them with a tool or information source that makes the Web site useful, informative and up-to-date.
Content Management: Enables businesses to make updates to their site as needed. These applications typically only allow the editing of specified text on each page through a form-based interface using a Web browser (although higher-end, expensive applications allow uploading and integration of images and may use Windows-based administrative sections that reside on a dedicated Web server.) News feeds: Industry-specific news feeds are available for a number of sectors. These news feeds typically automatically update themselves to show current news. This will create repeat visitors that are interested in your industry’s news/current events. Online Polls: Online polls are popular tools that allow some interaction on the viewers’ part and allow for new content (which is always a plus for returning visitors.) Calendars: Online calendars can be used to show visitors what is going on within an organization or industry. They are typically database-driven applications that often allow administrators (and in some cases, viewers) to add/update calendar events online. Message Boards: Allows viewers to interact with each other based on site manager-defined subjects or subjects created by the viewers themselves. Chat: Popular, typically non-business-oriented applications that allow real-time interaction between site viewers. Personalization: Offering viewers the ability to customize the layout of more advanced sites by having them subscribe as a member. Customization often includes colors, news windows, navigation, and other user options. Personalization applications enhance the viewers’ usage of the site and help the site owner build a marketing database.
- Web Portals: Web Portals are entire Web sites built around a database that usually combines many (if not all) of the Web Tools mentioned above. Web Portals are ideal for companies offering Web sites that wish to build a membership of regular viewers or for Associations, Organizations or any other group that has a membership or wishes to grow one. Web Portals can often be integrated with E-commerce applications and marketing applications. Organizations considering the deployment of a Web Portal should keep in mind that they will need to devote several hours per month to maintaining the portal if it is to be kept current and that training may be required to effectively administer the Portal. - Web Statistics: Not seen by the viewer but very valuable to the site owner. There are a large number of Web applications that support the collection and display of site viewer statistics. 2. Using the Internet to automate or streamline processes and to serve your existing clients better. - Company Intranet: Once thought of as only useful to larger companies, Intranets are becoming more common among medium sized businesses seeking to improve organizational communication, team coordination, documentation distribution, benefit tracking and administration and sales efforts. - Inventory Management: Web-based Inventory Management systems allow businesses to affordably track/update their inventories. - Customer Support: Applications fitting this category include:
Trouble Tickets/Work Orders: These applications allow customers to submit issues using an online Customer Support Form. This eliminates client frustration by making it easy for them to contact businesses about specific issues without having to go through a lengthy wait on the phone. FAQ Sections: Searchable, database-driven Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sections that make it easy for customers and prospects to find answers to their questions. These applications typically include an administrative section that allows the business to answer new questions so the usefulness of the application grows as it is used. Password-protected Client-Only/Partner-Only/Member-Only Sections: keeps sensitive information from competitors while making it available (as needed) to clients, partners, members, etc.
- Project Management/Team Coordination: Modern businesses often encounter situations in which members of the same team reside in geographically separated locations. Web-based applications enable project management teams to coordinate their efforts from any Internet connection. Most applications of this type include some form of return on Investment (ROI) metrics as well as billable hours tracking, issue tracking, and customer progress tracking functions. - Time-sheet/Activity Tracking: Web-based applications that take the place of traditional time clocks are becoming more common. This is especially true in white-color environments where the majority of workers have their own workstations. Most modern time clocks use a centralized database to coordinate, compile and report time and attendance. The Web-based applications eliminate the stand-alone time clocks and the need for a centralized network. This enables business owners to use the same system at multiple locations without having to go through the expense of a virtual private network. - E-Learning: Web-based learning modules offer an affordable and convenient option for businesses seeking to enhance employee effectiveness through training. These applications are typically much more affordable than classroom settings and enable employees the option of receiving training from any location. Many of these applications offer employers the ability to review employee progress and final test results. This form of training is often seen as an affordable employee benefit. - Recruiting: Online resume applications can guide prospective candidates through the application process and create a database of candidates that HR can easily sort through, saving time and money in organizations’ hiring processes. - Compliance: Web-based applications can assist businesses with their efforts at meeting the many federal, state and local compliance mandates. Some of the more common types include HIPAA, EEOC, OSHA, NFPA, Hazmat, and other labor law compliance-tracking applications. - Payroll: A number of Web-based payroll applications are available to every size of business. These applications typically incorporate tax reporting, deductions, expense reporting, and may integrate with Time & Attendance applications. Conclusion: Web-based business applications offer an ever-increasing range of products designed to enable businesses to enhance their processes, increase efficiency and grow their business through utilization of the Internet. As businesses become more aware of the capabilities and affordability of these applications, we will see businesses use the Web as much more than a marketing tool. It will become a key component of their business and will change business processes in sales, marketing, human resources, and many other functional areas. As this occurs, understanding Web-based business applications will become a valuable skill set for every business. About Webulant: Webulant is an Atlanta, Georgia-based Web development and I.T. Outsourcing firm that specializes in Web-based application consulting, development and implementation. More information about Webulant can be found at: www.webulant.com. Copyright © 2002, Webulant.  Written by Ed Ruth.  Not to be republished without written permission from Webulant.
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