What we do

Bespoke Application Development

Forfront develops traditional standalone applications and ASP solutions.

Forfront has an established track record on software development with all types of applications having been developed and maintained for various clients and industries.

We work closely with our clients to grasp fully the needs and wants of the client as well as those of the process itself so that important operations/handlers don't get overlooked.

More often than not, a new application is likely to require integration with an old existing back-office program or database - something we work closely with our clients to achieve. We aim to develop and deploy new software with the minimum of disruption to your business.

The ASP Model and why it matters

“The ASP Model can be extremely appealing to business because it can drastically lower the costs of software and services”

An ASP (Application Service Provider) is an organisation which hosts applications on its own servers within its own facilities. With the advent of the web browser as the universal client interface, the ASP market has already grown rapidly due to affordability and efficiency as users are able to access the application from any location with an internet-enabled computer.

As business software becomes more specialised and more expensive, using an ASP is an effective method of outsourcing the associated maintenance, bandwidth and IT problems to the provider. In so doing, overheads are reduced and the cost of entry can be significantly more affordable than the alternative.

Benefits of an ASP Solution

• Low cost of entry
• Extremely quick setup
• Relatively low running costs
• Shifts support, infrastructure and HR costs away from the organisation to the ASP
• Shifts internet bandwidth usage to the service provider, who will be more capable of maintaining high availability, and can often provide it at lower cost

ASP Examples

• E-shot (B2B)
  One of Forfront's products, e-shot, is an example of a B2B ASP solution. Via a web browser, users from multiple companies log in to access complete control in managing contacts, creation of professionally designed email messages and accurately targeting them, all in an intuitive online application. With version 5 currently under development in 2007, three previous updates have been implemented since its first release. Users didn't have to install anything, get help from their systems administrator or encounter isolated glitches due to individual PC setup. The new version is simply there waiting next time users log in.
• Competent Adviser (B2B)
  Helps to maintain competency and comply with strict regulation within the UK financial sector (mortgage advisers, etc.)
• First4sale (B2C)
  An example of a successful B2C developed by forfront is first4sale where users can buy and sell property online and avoid traditionally high estate agency fees. In this case, first4sale provides the necessary audience, tools and transaction capabilities in return for a service based fee.