For example, companies could use the software for accounting, marketing or inventory control as needs arise, be it once a day or several times an hour. If they're paying for the software by transaction then it's an operating expense and not a capital expense. Carlton's idea is revolutionary but simple. Corporate use of the Internet and its company-specific clones, called intranets, has become common. Programs accessed via a browser would be kept outside the company, perhaps on the servers of a local Internet services provider or a bank, which would rent out access over the Internet.
Businesses already go to outside partners for many services.
Software, says Carlton, is just another tool. At 42, he has been in the computer business all his working life, mostly in Asia. Actually, age hasn't been a barrier to acceptance, but other prejudices are a problem. The United States still doesn't understand Asian companies and that means we're probably among the most underfunded software houses in the world by Silicon Valley standards. In addition to start-up capital from Carlton, its founder, venture capital has been forthcoming in two tranches from Nomura Jafco in Japan.