The operational management of our online business applications is concentrared at our online servers. This so-called server-end or server-based management has many technical, economic and financial advantages for us and our customers. Low cost upgrades Cost savings arise from managing just one set of code and its mirrors on back up servers. Therefore the installation of new capabilities at the server become immediately available to all users, no matter where they are located. Everyone at the leading edge of systems capability This produces a professional work environment where our customers, their staff and other users always have the latest system. All communications, data transfers and information is safeguarded by the stability of the current across-system compatibility. Flexibility & adaptability Although we provide common services to a wide range of users, some use different components or request additional functionality related to specific business activities or processes. The access paths from the commonly used applications to customer-specific functionality is set at the server end through logical (software) switching to customer-specific scripts and coding. There is no need to do anything at the client end. Real application value contribution to business The ease with which new functionality can be introduced and instantaneously distributed at zero cost creates an innovative environment virtually unconstrained by costs. As a result the constant flow of application enhancements creates a persistent growth in functionality which can double its contribution to business performance each 12 to 18 months. On the other hand cost-constrained systems work at the client end tends to be associated with a slower stepwise upgrade approach which might double contributions to business performance every 18-36 months. Sector opportunity & distribution costs The reality is that server-based management can represent an 80% saving in deployment costs when compared directly with client end software systems. For example, a development of an application component might cost, in terms of programmer wages, $20,000. With server based management this $20,000 can be "distributed" to the complete customer base. So with 1,000 online customers the per customer cost of development is $20.00 each and with 10,000 online customer this drops to $2.00. On the other hand, if each customer undertook such systems development the opportunity cost would be $20,000 each or $200 millions for the sector. How do we do this? We use Microsoft®Windows® Internet Server Systems 2000 or 2003 on high capacity servers. The main "engine" and operational logic is supplied by extensions of ECMAScript (ISO Standard 16262). The ECMAScript extensions can be divided into three types: logic & processing engine interface scripts Logic & processing engine All of our software and process logic is written in DScript and managed by a DScript Server program. These DScript components are essentially the "command & control” and “engine room" for online business applications. Why DScript? DScript is the most versatile and powerful ECMAScript extension available with an extensive range of functions varying from simple logical operators through to complex data intensive processing algorithms. Standard JavaScript can be integrated into DScripts. DScript has a very short concept-to-implementation cycle even for complex requirements. Interfaces DScript generates all necessary user interfaces or dialogues. DScript will work with Action Scripts such as those developed by MacroMedia® and SwishMax® to support user interfaces using audiovisual, video and "flash" content. DScript can also pass data to these interfaces as well as receive text and data from input via such Action Scripts where such interfaces are appropriate. Like DScript, these Action Scripts are ECMAScript extensions and represent the de facto standard for dynamic Internet interfaces with an estimated 500 million player "clients" or "platforms" in circulation worldwide which support them. DScript can lever such graphic intensive interfaces by providing powerful processing capabilities which cannot be achieved using these scripts alone. Scripts We need to sustain a high level of response to an increasingly sophisticated level of customer demands. To achieve this we maintain a program to build business application modules. This helps us achieve rapid concept-to-implementation cycles in spite of the increasingly complex user demands. More information on the range of applications covered by these modules can be found in the non-branded business applications section under business applications. Learning, a vital benefit of server based management As the customer base increases our programmers become more experienced in sector-specific issues and this provides a sound basis for the development of modules as well as ability to focus on customer needs in a practical fashion. The team proficiency in solving such problems is directly related to the size of the customer base, the range of specific issues facing each customer and time. Maximizing customer cost savings The maximization of customer cost savings potential provided by server based management can only be maximised, however, if the overall business application system is complemented by appropriately designed components at the client end including: platforms (sw) thin clients (hw) interface automation (sw & hw) We provide such support and the contribution of each, to customer savings, is described in the relevant sections.