Service Provider Definitions

ASP (Application Service Provider)
An ASP is a company that hosts applications on centralized servers. At a minimum, an ASP hosts applications, but not all ASPs sell/deliver applications to end users or provide application technical support.

ASP Resellers
ASP Resellers partner with one or more ASPs and sell the hosted application services to end users.  In most cases, ASP Resellers do not host applications and they may or may not provide application technical support.

ISVs (Independent Software Vendor)
Several ISVs, including Microsoft, have announced that they will offer application services.  Most ISVs already offer application technical support for their applications, so this part is not new.  However, the concept of delivering remotely hosted applications to their customers is new, and the ISVs have a number of options available to them.  Some ISVs are providing the complete array of application services (hosting, delivery and support), while others are teaming with ASPs and other business partners to offer these services to their customers.

NSPs (Network Service Provider)
Network Service Providers have a broad established customer base and they are a natural fit for selling and delivering the hosted applications to end user customers.  Most NSPs do not physically host the applications, instead they turn to ASP or ISV partners to provide these services.

Application Expert
With increasing dependence on today's business applications, high quality application technical support is a must for every organization.  While some ASPs claim that they will host any application, obviously they will not be able to provide the required level of application technical support that most organizations require.  If an organization does not have an in-house application technical support staff, and the ASP (or reseller) does not offer these services, then an Application Expert may be the answer.   Application Experts can range from independent consultants to large technical services organizations that have expertise in specific applications.