Emerging enterprise network applications
A network comprises of computer devices that are connected to allow communication and interaction between people. A network application is a network software application that performs various functions when connected to the internet. It allows the sharing of information and resources.
There are two types of emerging applications, core commerce, and office applications. Core commerce applications work on central activities that are majorly important to the entire firm. Some of these tasks include production, distribution, logistics, and human resource management. They also tackle tasks in sales and marketing, planning, financials, and customer relations. Office applications handle basics in business. These include emails, file sharing and web conferencing. Emails enable the sharing of information by attaching documents and sending of messages. There are different types of email programs such as outlook express, windows mail, fox mail, and opera.
Network applications can be further subdivided into two categories, stand-alone and pure application. Pure network applications have different interfaces. Email programs, file transfer protocol, and groupware are pure network applications. File transfer protocols allow the sharing of files from one end to another. Both Linux and windows have file transfer protocols. Groupware consist of the latest applications that enable interaction between individuals. They allow people to coordinate, solve problems and negotiate. Video conferencing is one of the groupware applications that allow people to interact using audio and video. Chatting is also an application that enables people to interact using text. Spreadsheets, databases, and graphics are stand-alone applications. They are created to run in a network environment. However, they run on computers that are not connected.
Businesses are on the lookout for these latest applications to gain a competitive edge in the market. They use them not only to increase efficiency in operations but also enhance coordination and productivity. There are a few challenges that face these applications. Some of them have redundant functionalities. Others are disjointed with incomplete functionalities. Business application planning is evolving. The application can be distinguished by its unique characteristics and contributions such as enhancing integration in business. These network applications have not only brought about decentralization but also increased the speed of execution during operations.
In the early days, only a handful of centralized models were available. However, due to growth in technology, more network applications have been established around internet technologies. New trends have emerged in network connectivity. Client-based ones are the most recent. Emails, file transfer protocols and groupware are also some of the emerging network applications. They not only improve interaction but also efficiency.
References
Ferron, M., Massa, P. and Odella, F., 2011. Analyzing collaborative networks emerging in Enterprise 2.0: the Taolin Platform. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 10, pp.68-78.
Serpanos, D.N. ed., 2001. Enterprise Networking: Multilayer Switching and Applications: Multilayer Switching and Applications. IGI Global.
Umar, A., 2004. The emerging role of the Web for enterprise applications and ASPs. Proceedings of the IEEE, 92(9), pp.1420-1438.
