Application Service Provision: A Technology and Working Tool for Intelligent Enterprises of the 21st Century

Abstract

By addressing the business issues and management concerns of a 21st century intelligent enterprise, we hope this chapter points medium- and large-sized businesses in the proper direction to manage ASP resources and strategies to their competitive advantage. With the phenomenon of ASP in its infancy, we draw from works of IS pioneers Markus, Porter, Checkland, and others. Their intellectual contributions, plus findings from research work at CSIS, provide a framework for discussion. ASP delivers personal productivity software and professional support systems, assisting an intelligent enterprise in processing information, solving business problems, developing new products, and creating new knowledge. The need to exploit ASP capabilities to preserve and enhance organisational knowledge is clearly defined by this chapter.