It is expected that approximately $426bn will be spent on enterprise software in 2020. In recent years, enterprise software is almost always in the form of web applications, because of the small footprint of a browser on users’ local machines. This means roll-out to users any internet-connected device, whether a laptop, mobile or tablet, can be achieved by IT managers quickly and easily, unlike mass installation of desktop applications like Excel and Word, which are stored locally on physical devices. These days, with so many remote workers, this consideration has become even more critical.
Typical goals when deploying enterprise web applications might include the integration of different work processes and data, giving businesses greater visibility over their operations, and enabling individuals to access business data and execute business processes, wherever they are. All of this can increase productivity and cut costs by reducing the need to maintain different tools and technologies.
Now let’s drill down a little, and look at four highly desirable features for enterprise web applications.
Ultimately, enterprise web applications must demonstrably improve a business’s way of doing things. EASA software does just this, consolidating data from sources like Excel, ERP systems and databases into a tailored, fit-for-purpose web apps available over a company’s network, or in the cloud. Using and sharing Excel spreadsheets for collaborative purposes can cause version confusion, with people accessing different copies of the same document without knowing which has the most up-to-date information. Furthermore, opening files locally isn’t always reliable if users have incorrect security settings or software versions. EASA eradicates all of the above issues, improving processes that in the past were supported by Excel.
Enterprise web applications can also help keep company data secure; again, EASA can help in this regard. This is achieved running Excel as a “back-end” process (or service), operating as the logic engine of a web app. As a result, users no longer directly edit an original spreadsheet on their local desktop. Instead, they can edit only the input data through the enterprise web application.
This helps to prevent intellectual property exposure; individuals no longer need to send files to each other through insecure methods like email. EASA also enables companies to implement access control for the app itself, requiring a user to authenticate themselves before they can use it, thus helping to prevent outsiders from accessing the app and the intellectual property embedded in the underlying spreadsheet. EASA can also be configured with existing authentication and single sign-on (SSO) solutions like Active Directory (AD), LDAP, SAML and SiteMinder. Administrators can also control what information is shared with users, as well as which apps they can see and use.
As businesses grow, they require enterprise web applications that can scale up with them. There must be a way to integrate new business processes quickly and cost-effectively. EASA is both scalable and compatible (via APIs) with many other technologies, from databases such as SQL and Oracle, to other enterprise software such as ERP, PLM and CRM. Finally, EASA is frequently used to modernize in-house and legacy applications.
Low-code development (otherwise known as “citizen” or “self-service” development) usually employs a more visual approach compared to conventional programming, making it possible for those with no programming skills to develop their own apps. This has numerous benefits, such as speeding up the delivery process, freeing up developer time, saving money, and giving businesses the ability to create and modify apps that precisely meet requirements. Many enterprise web applications now offer a low-code environment with which “citizen developers” can build, enhance, and maintain apps. EASA is no exception, and is in fact unique among low code platforms in its ability to leverage the enormous pool of knowledge that exists around Excel.