Application service providers (commonly referred to as ASP’s) have quickly sprouted onto the web hosting scene in an effort to provide businesses with new and innovative services. Note, the term ASP should not be confused with Microsoft Corporations software application.

The number of applications provided through the ASP model is growing rapidly. Accordingly, there is a growing business of companies developing software for the ASP marketplace.

What sorts of applications are being developed? As remotely hosted applications can provide cost effective access for businesses to unique software, many of the applications are designed to be of occasional use in terms of usage.