It is instantly available when a user connects to the proper website. It does not require periodic updates by the user. Updates to the software are done on the web server and are immediately available to all users. The data is not restricted to a particular computer. A user does not have to worry about forgetting the disk containing a work project he was working on all night at home.
Online applications are easier to use.
Businesses have been slow in porting their applications to the web because of the difficulties and high costs involved. Tools for developing web applications are still relatively primitive. Creating even a simple online application requires considerable technical knowledge and weeks, if not months, of programming and testing. Furthermore, because of the restrictions imposed by Internet service providers and web hosting services, a business is limited in the quality and capabilities of the online applications it may deploy unless it purchases its own servers and database software. The costs can be crippling for any business that does not have considerable resources and are certainly not feasible for most small businesses.