Simpata's software fills that void pretty well, DeGroot says, and he thinks it's good value. Those numbers made outsourcing the app an easy decision.
ASPs are anything but homogenous in the way they offer services.
ASPs formed to outsource applications of all sorts, such as USinternetworking Inc. and Verio Inc., are likely to handle their own secure Web hosting, authentication, and encryption services. For the highest security requirements, customers may demand public key encryption, a technology that uses digital certificates to guarantee the identities of those who download and upload to the ASP network. ASPs often contract with a third party such as VeriSign Inc. or Entrust Technologies Inc. to issue the certificates in those cases since there are so few options in the emerging and highly specialized digital certificate management arena. Simpata specializes in insurance and employee benefits packages and services and has outsourced its server and firewall administration to Pilot Network Services Inc., a secure hosting company. Simpata retains control of the password structure and access to the applications.