tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25393362.post167126315978567740..comments2009-04-24T17:37:27.486-05:00Melissamsteven84@gmail.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25393362.post-89324804431328518272009-04-24T15:20:00.000-05:002009-04-24T15:20:00.000-05:00Richard has made some good points, but it would be too easy for people like me who never heard of Trackvia to take those comments out of context and reach some completely wrong conclusions.<br /><br />Richard is talking about an on-line database application building tool vs a desktop application building tool, not an on-line application vs a desktop application. Those of us using Alpha to build, use and sell web applications know that they can be very economical to use and easy to implement.<br /><br />One application I'm involved with is a quality control application targeted at small businesses. It is very cost effective. Comparable desktop products cost over $30,000 and have annual support fees of thousnds of dollars, while the on-line application has a modest setup fee and a small monthly subscription price.<br /><br />It requires little IT support. Desktop versions require servers and administrators and extensive testing and validation whenever new versions are released or technology changes. Subscription type web applications just require a browser and are primarily maintained by the user.<br /><br />What about the risk of the supplier going out of business? Just make sure that in that event, you are entitled to a copy of the code that you can then run on your own server.Pat Bremkampnoreply@blogger.com