Mercury On Demand: ASPs explained
Flexibility is one of the biggest advantages for Mercury on Demand (MOD) users. Any computer running Windows XP Professional and having an Internet connection may be used to run the credit union.
The growing popularity of the Internet has offered new business models to credit unions and other companies. One of the most interesting behind-the-scenes models that has been created is called the Application Service Provider (ASP). ASPs are a new way to offer software to companies that can drastically reduce the cost of software and services.
an ASP example
ASPs can seem fairly complex and confusing, but people have been using forms of ASPs for years. For example, an airline is a non-Internet ASP that we can all relate to. Many individuals fly frequently for business or pleasure. Yet few actually own their own plane. Instead, we rely on airlines to provide travel services to us on a per-use basis.
The main reason for not owning a plane is the high cost of purchasing one. Just imagine the costs to own and operate your own jet:
- Purchase price
- Maintenance costs
- Staff costs (i.e. pilot, maintenance crew)
- Fuel costs
These costs are so high that compared to the cost of an individual airline ticket, it does not make economic sense to purchase a plane. The choice given is classic of ASPs. You can own and operate your own jet, or you can pay a very low incremental cost to fly each time you need to travel. You share the cost of owning and operating the jet with hundreds of other passengers.
defining an internet ASP
The term Application Service Provider or ASP is applied specifically to companies that provide services via the Internet. Here are the common features of an ASP:
- They own, operate, and maintain the software and servers that run the application
- They employ staff needed to maintain the application
- They offer the application via an Internet browser connection
- They bill on a per-use or monthly/annual fee basis
advantages of ASPs
The ASP model evolved because of some significant advantages over traditional approaches. Some of the most important advantages are:
- Low cost of entry
- Setup time may be shortened
- The pay-as-you-go model is often significantly less expensive
- Eliminates the expense of having a technical staff
Fidelity's ASP offering
Fidelity National Information Services (FIS) offers clients an ASP solution known as Mercury-on-Demand (MOD). MOD is the same software as Mercury, yet different. Differences include:
- The credit union does not have to install and maintain a server and network Ð FIS houses and maintains your server
- The credit union is only required to have a high speed Internet connection and workstations running Windows XP
- The credit union pays FIS based upon their system usage
Flexibility is one of the biggest advantages for MOD users. Any computer running Windows XP Professional and having an Internet connection may be used to run the credit union. With an emphasis now turning to disaster recovery, this setup is especially advantageous. Should disaster strike, you could re-locate to any place with an Internet connection and the appropriate computers to re-start operations almost immediately.
Mercury-on-Demand provides credit unions all the power of Mercury with simple, industry standard technology. Contact your Fidelity Sales Executive at 800-786-2828 to discuss Mercury-on-Demand and if the advantages are right for your credit union.
