A web-based application is any program that is accessed via a network connection such as the internet. These applications are often based in web browsers, or can also be reached via mobile apps, rather than within a device’s memory.

How web application works

A web application uses web browsers to perform tasks over the internet. These could be simple tasks such as loading written content, Flash content or online calendars, or they could be more advanced, such as real-time document management and communications.

These applications use two different kinds of scripts. Server-side scripts, such as PHP and ASP, deal with retrieving and storing information. Client-side scripts, meanwhile, are what is used to present information to users, for example JavaScript and HTML.

HTML and JavaScript are supported by web browsers, which is why web applications are coded in this way. Typically, a user will send a request to a web server, for example, typing in a website name (URL), which is then sent to a web application server. The web application server performs the requested task and sends the results back to the web server, which then presents the results to the end user, for example, displaying the chosen website.

The advantages of web-based application

The web-based application has become the default choice for many enterprise processes. An example of web-based application could be online retailers, or even customer support, supply chain management or online extranets.

This has helped to quicken the pace in terms of increasing online sales, giving customers faster access to the help they need, and helping supply chains increase their productivity. In addition, organizations running web-based applications can benefit from:

• Applications being able to run on multiple different platforms, e.g. operating systems and devices (Mac or Windows/desktop or mobile)
• Cost savings on support and maintenance associated with storing information on computers
• Reduction of piracy
• No compatibility issues

Web application optimization

Today, users have come to expect instant, secure and reliable access to every web-based application, even from their mobile devices. However, a business web application that is located centrally may lead to problems with web performance.

Research indicates that users will leave a website within seconds if it cannot perform their desired function straight away. When web applications become slow or unreliable, this may lead to decreased productivity or even revenue loss. Rather than investing in further infrastructure, which can be very costly, it is better to invest in a web application accelerator.

Accelerating the web-based application

Akamai's Web Application Accelerator (WAA) is a cost-effective, cloud-based Software as a Service solution that enables a web based application to be faster, more reliable and more secure. WAA places all of the capabilities of the application delivery controller within the Akamai Intelligent Platform™, optimizing the applications without hardware, software or application code changes. By locating a web-based application close to users and data centers anywhere in the world, WAA delivers the performance and availability that drive web application adoption and productivity.

How WAA optimizes a web-based application

Here's how WAA enables better performance in a web-based application.

• When a user makes a request for secure web application content, Akamai's dynamic web server mapping system directs it to an optimal Akamai server.
• The fastest and most reliable path back to the origin is identified by route optimization technology.
• Communication between the Akamai server and the origin site is transparently optimized by a high-performance transport protocol, improving web-based application performance and reliability.
• The Akamai server retrieves the requested web application content and returns it to the user over secure optimized connections.

Benefits of WAA for the web-based application

The Akamai Web Application Accelerator helps enterprises to save costs and provide a better experience for their end users thanks to:

• Rapid response times: Dynamic web applications can runup to five times faster.
• Keep costs down: Enterprises can save operating costs and capital expenses by switching to Akamai's managed solutions.
• Consistent performance worldwide: With thousands of servers in 95 different countries, the Akamai Intelligent Platform™ promises consistency anywhere in the world.
• Improved performance: Content is available at all times thanks to a reduction in internet delivery bottlenecks.
• Innovate and achieve ROI: Improve your capacity for innovation more quickly and securely – see a return on investment in just two months.

Learn more about WAA, as well as Akamai solutions for application deployment, data security and more.