| It has been some time that an argument has | | | | installed only once on the web server, |
| been doing rounds about the replacement of | | | | whereas desktop applications need to be |
| desktop application by web applications in | | | | deployed individually on each computer. |
| the business software category. Although, web | | | | Upgrades and other compatibility issues are |
| applications are more versatile and flexible, | | | | mostly taken care of by the webmasters of the |
| desktop software and applications are not | | | | hosting company unlike desktop applications. |
| easily replaced considering the issues of | | | | The maintenance of a web application is of |
| security and replacement of legacy systems | | | | prime importance, since the business puts all |
| that have been in place for some time now. | | | | its eggs into a single basket, uptime is not |
| The shift if it ever happens is not only a | | | | only necessary but crucial to the |
| technical issue but also a marketing and | | | | application. |
| business issue. A lot of information is | | | | |
| available on a website that discusses these | | | | Security: Working online has its own set of |
| issues under various heads and articles. | | | | risks like hacking and virus threats. The |
| | | | risk is higher compared to a desktop |
| A desktop application is localized on | | | | computer, since a malfunction of the desktop |
| computer or a local area network where it is | | | | can result in loss of partial data. The crash |
| deployed whereas a web application is | | | | of a web server can result in consequences |
| delivered to users across the globe using a | | | | beyond the control of a business. |
| web server connecting through the internet. | | | | |
| Usage of a web browser as a client is finding | | | | Cost: Running a web application involves |
| more and more acceptance today and is being | | | | recurring cost of web space and bandwidth |
| used in many applications and off the shelf | | | | use, whereas, the use of desktop has a one |
| products to deliver better GUI's. This has | | | | time cost and has been known to cheaper over |
| led to the popularity of web applications. It | | | | a period of time. |
| is very important to understand the delivery | | | | |
| systems on the internet to find suitability | | | | Connectivity: The reliability of web |
| of converting a desktop application into a | | | | applications is based on connectivity, |
| web application. Applications integrating | | | | although they can be used from anywhere |
| search engine optimization techniques have | | | | across the world, connectivity speeds and |
| become more popular in businesses that are | | | | bandwidth regulation may render it useless in |
| marketing or sales oriented, while a | | | | some areas. Failure of internet connection |
| manufacturing unit may find it less appealing | | | | from the business end or the web server end |
| to convert the existing application into a | | | | can cause unwarranted delays. Critical |
| web application. | | | | applications may suffer as a result of these |
| | | | interruptions in service. |
| A few points come to light in comparing a | | | | |
| desktop application and a web application. | | | | Slower: Web application in comparison to |
| | | | desktop application run slower due to |
| Accessibility: A desktop application is | | | | transfer of data through the internet. The |
| accessible only on a local computer, whereas | | | | speed of connectivity and bandwidth usage may |
| a web application is available anywhere | | | | be major factors. |
| across the globe. | | | | |
| | | | The popularity of web applications is only |
| Maintenance & Upgrades: Web application need | | | | due to the accessibility despite their |
| less or no maintenance since they are | | | | limited functionality. |