5 Key Benefits of Web Applications for Business

6th August 2018 :: Author: Andrew Cope, Managing Director, Evergreen

With the internet being commonplace in almost every workplace across the UK, web applications have become an increasingly important tool for business; with their most common uses being communication with customers, collaboration with employees, secure storage of data and providing data and information to management.

In our latest blog, we’ll run through some of the key benefits of web applications for business and how a custom web application from Evergreen could help your business productivity soar.

What are Web Applications?

A web application is a computer programme that allows you to log-in to a web address in order to submit and retrieve data to/from a database over the internet, these programmes are developed using web technologies such as HTML, CSS, JS etc and can be accessed using your preferred web browser (e.g. Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer etc.).

The Benefits of Custom Web Applications:

Improved Efficiency

Having multiple versions of spreadsheets or shuffling around piles of paperwork is not only time consuming, but can also leave your business vulnerable to human errors that are not easily spotted until it’s too late.

What’s more, with no integration between these multiple sources of data, time-consuming and laborious replication of data may be required in order to get a holistic overview of business performance.

Web applications help you streamline your business processes so that you can get more done in  less time and with greater accuracy. What’s more, having all your data integrated in one place gives you greater visibility of your business, freeing up staff time and allowing you to run reports that are updated with real-time information.

24 / 7 Accessibility

Given that business systems created by web applications are web-based, they can be accessed 24/7 provided that you have an internet connection. What’s more, they are totally flexible, offering access from almost any device or browser.

When desktop based software need updating, every single device in which the application is installed will need individually updating. This task usually falls to staff and may be ignored if they are pushed for time, leaving your business vulnerable to security breaches.

Compare this with a web based application, where a security or functionality update can be rolled out to every version of the web application with zero downtime, giving users instant access to the updated version of the app.

Higher Levels of Security

With desktop based software, a stolen or damaged computer can be a very costly and time consuming situation; leaving your data at risk and requiring you to contact your software provider and request for the software to be re-installed on a new device.

With a web based application (with data stored in the cloud), you have the peace of that should your computer equipment be damaged or stolen, it can very quickly be back to ‘business as usual’.

This is because web applications store information on remote service, so as long as you know your URL (web address), user name and password, you can log-in securely to any computer or mobile device connected to the internet and your business can be up and running again in no time.

Finally, in the event of loss of data through human or programme error, data can be quickly restored from the cloud.

Easy Customisable and Scalable

One of the biggest problems client that come to us face with off the shelf software is that it cannot grow or integrate with their business, or not without expensive upgrades at least.

As a custom web application is made specifically to your business needs, it’s completely flexible and scalable to your business’s demands and growth.

Customisations to the application may include your own branding and having different user  permission access levels. By only having features and functions which are relevant to your business,
you’ll reduce training time and can add functionality as your business grows.

Easy Installation and Maintenance

By using a web application, you avoid the hassle and memory usage of installation software on every device, you’ll also find web applications less punishing on older or low spec devices.

As every PC has a browser, installation time is extremely fast and can run in the background whilst staff get on with their other work. Maintenance requirements are generally much lower, with updates and patches rolled out remotely to every device.

Web Applications in Action – Case Studies

At Evergreen, we’ve helped a number of our clients improve productivity and efficiency in their business through the development of a custom web application:

Pristine Condition International Ltd:

With an old, complex and labour intensive system of managing training records for clients and a number of staff working remotely, Pristine Condition International were needing to duplicate data, greatly increasing the risk of error.
Evergreen worked in partnership with Pristine Condition International to develop a bespoke course management system that could be easily accessed by all relevant team members from any address.

National Lock and Safe:

Before talking to Evergreen, National Lock and Safe were generating everything on paper, making for very costly and unnecessary admin.
Working in partnership with National Lock and Safe, we developed a bespoke web application allowing for real-time quotations, customisable reports, remote accessibility and powerful built in security. All in all, the new system has generated savings of 70% in time and money through increased efficiency.

Experts in Web Applications for Business

At Evergreen, we develop systems designed to suit your businesses every need. If you’re currently using off the shelf software that can’t keep up, or are in a period of business growth, we can help.

Get in touch with one of our expert team a call today to discuss your individual requirements.