Benefits of Using Web Technologies

Web technologies confer many benefits over other technologies, including client/server. These include:

• Less Expensive Infrastructure: Since every desktop can be equipped with a free browser, the users only need inexpensive, low maintenance computers that run the browser software.
• Rapid Software Distribution: Thanks to the web, there is no need to distribute new software to any of the client browsers. Once programs are updated on the server, users can instantly see the changes the next time they load the page into their browser. Troubleshooting is also improved since most issues can be investigated and resolved on the server.
• Low Network Usage: In a web environment, the client application (browser) doesn't access the database over the network to retrieve or update the data. The browser only sends instructions to the server with as much information as necessary to execute the server program. The server software is responsible for communicating with and retrieving any content from the database and composing the page to be sent back to the client. As such there is no need to exchange large amounts of data. Because of this, web applications often run faster than applications based on fat clients.
• Platform Independence: Most web applications can be accessed through a variety of web browsers, such as Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Opera, and Lynx. Web browsers exist for virtually any operating system and since they receive only the HTML document, it is irrelevant if document is being viewed on Windows, Linux/UNIX, Mac, or any other system. Additionally, certain web applications are accessible through wireless devices equipped with a browser and Internet connection.
• Usage Accounting: Developers can find out how many times the web application is accessed, something which may not be possible when distributing standalone applications to customers. Because of the web, the vendor can also offer a per-usage fee structure.

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