Debate: Web Based CAFM – IWMS
On the promotional blog of FacilitiesDesk I have read an article about web based CAFM.
According to the author:
Most of the traditional CAFM – CMMS Systems are desktop based. You need to install the software on every desktop for you to gain access to the system database. But things have changed for the better, the world is moving towards web. Today, you can find quite a lot of Web based CAFM – CMMS system wherein you only need to install the server on a central location and then connect the client using your web browser(internet explorer, firefox etc).
Apparently the author assumes that traditional CAFM (IWMS) systems are desktop based. I don’t agree with that as most of the IWMS I have evaluated are already web based for quite some time now. The CAFM / IWMS vendors that have been around long enough initially were desktop based but the majority migrated to web technology.
So what do you think?
My points are same as you mentioned here. We are moving towards web with majority (Not all) of them providing a web interface. I hope, I have mentioned that clearly
“Today, you can find quite a lot of Web based CAFM – CMMS systems”
I represent a CAFM/IWMS vendor in the UK. Traditionally, our software has always been provided as a “local installation”. Many large organisations have often prevented truly web-based solutions, primarily because of control, data protection and security concerns.
We’ve found over the past few years that web based applications have continued to grow in popularity, especially as smartphones/PDAs continue to flood the market. We’ve also found a small portion wanting to remain with local installations.
The result is that we’ve had to re-engineer our product to cater for clients who want a web or PC based application.
Technology/development platforms these days allow us to develop an application that can be deployed for either scenario.
Regards
Rob
http://www.tabsfm.com …more than just software