The hallmark of all great businesses is that they are always on the lookout for the best ways to improve on existing services. Today, businesses that want to secure their place in the future need to choose the best type of software for them.
For now, that choice is between web-based and desktop software. Making the right decision here is critical because it can significantly influence your business goals and needs.
To ensure that you pick the one best suited to your needs, you need to compare the two resources. Weighing the two systems side-by-side can offer keen insight into which is the better tool for you. So, here, we’ll be analyzing regular and web-based software in light of various parameters to see how they perform.
- Safety and Security
In this regard, desktop applications are regarded as superior. This is because web-based apps require an online connection. As a result, they’re more prone to cyber-attacks as it were. The extent to which security may be compromised largely depends on the nature of the use to which the software is put.
As an example, if web-based software is used to monitor or track sensitive financial data, you would need to put various security measures in place. Otherwise, you may put yourself at risk.
- Cost and Affordability
Though more affordable at the start, web-based may be just as expensive as desktop apps in the long run. This is because the former often carries recurring fees for its services. In return, however, it is more frequently updated and advances more rapidly. Due to this, they last longer than desktop apps which tend to go out of style after a while. Since most of these apps are one-time purchases, you tend to spend less on them.
- Level of Accessibility
Before you can use desktop-based programs, you need to first install them locally on the computer. For multiple users to access that program, they would need a local server in the work area. And, to access the same app from outside the workspace, you need a VPN.
However, you don’t have to worry about this with web-based systems. Since it is located essentially online, you don’t need to download it locally. All you need is an Internet connection and a web browser and you’re set. As such, location is not an issue. In addition to this, web-based applications are faster than desktop software.
- Ease of Maintenance
Because you have to install desktop apps locally on as many computers that need it, upgrades have to be performed more slowly. This can be both time and resource-consuming. On the other hand, you need to perform just one installation for web-based systems. What’s more, because the data is centralized, all updates and maintenance effectively spread to all users at once. This makes the latter more than ideal for people who want to optimize performance levels.
Note: As an addendum, you should know that web-based systems appear better suited to cater to the needs of your business if your staff is currently working from home. As opposed to desktop-based programs, they are considerably easier to access and maintain. What’s more, they promote rather than impair team work and cooperation.
How Do You Choose?
Now that you know the pros and cons of each of these resources, all you have to do is align these with the core needs of your business. Desktop apps are somewhat safer and less expensive compared to web-based systems. But the level of accessibility and functionality that web-based systems afford you can’t be easily discounted as well.
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