Choosing
Software
Software Selection Tips for
the Aviation Maintenance
Professional
By Gerry Merar, President,
decision software systeMs,
aviationPro software
Maintenance engineers may find themselves
having to become software selection experts
A
s if you don’t have enough for these applications While web- methods. Arguments can be made for
hats to wear, now you could based applications are popular due either platform and may ultimately boil
find yourself in the position to the variety of web browsers, and down to be just a personal preference.
of evaluating, procuring, and/or the convenience of using a browser If you worry about doing local backups
implementing new software to either as the user interface, they can also and maintaining a network file server,
replace outdated software or start-up be a problem. The ability to update web-based systems can be attractive.
a new enterprise. Either way, here are and maintain web-based applications However, if you are worried about the
some tips to consider for any solution without distributing and installing performance and stability of an internet
before you choose. software on potentially thousands connection or data security, a desktop
of different client computers is a key (or local server) application would prove
Web Based versus Desktop reason for their popularity, as well as to be a better choice.
Applications the inherent support for cross-platform Adaptability, Functionality & Flexibility
Software applications can be either compatibility. Frequently they are Remember, there is never one ‘right’
web-based or desktop/server based. more difficult for the developers to answer; it will always depend on your
A web-based application (or webapp) maintain, making them reluctant to organization’s specific needs. Make
is an application that is accessed via change the code to fit unique customer sure your selected software vendor
a web browser over a network such requirements. Desktop applications understands that. You will want the
as the Internet. It is typically coded are stored and run on your own internal software to adapt to your requirements
in a browser-supported language computer system or network server. and not change your business to fit a
(such as HTML, JavaScript, Java, PHP, Desktop software can also optionally be new software package. It should have
etc.) and relies on a common web accessed over the internet (or a virtual functionality that is directly related to your
browser to provide the user interface private network - VPN) via a variety of business operation. For instance, if you
32 Aviation Maintenance |
avmain-mag.com | December 2009/January 2010
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