Monday, April 30, 2001		Bits & Bytes

ASP: A specification for a dynamically created Web page with a .ASP extension that utilizes ActiveX scripting — usually VB Script or Jscript code. When a browser requests an ASP page, the Web server generates a page with HTML code and sends it back to the browser. So ASP pages are similar to CGI scripts, but they enable Visual Basic programmers to work with familiar tools.

VSP: A Vertical Service Provider (VSP) is an ASP that covers the application needs of a specific vertical market or industry, such as banking, manufacturing, education, real estate, government or law.

SSP: A Storage Service Provider (SSP) is a company that provides computer storage space and related management services. SSPs also offer periodic backup, archiving and the ability to consolidate data from multiple company locations so that data can be effectively shared.

SFA: Sales Force Automation (SFA) is an application service provider that focuses on providing and hosting applications related exclusively to business functions.

PSA: Professional Services Automation (PSA) refers to a suite of software enabling IT service organizations to manage people and skilled resources.

Outsourcing: The act of hiring an outside source, usually a consultant or application service provider, to transfer components or large segments of an organization’s internal IT structure, staff, processes and applications for access via a virtual private network or an Internet-based browser.