In early 2001, The Edge became available as a hosted Internet application. Tronia Systems offers The Edge, its leading financial management software for the Ag-Retail industry, two different ways:
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Traditional Model
You can buy the Edge application and implement it in the Traditional model, running on a server located at your office and accessed via a network or remotely, the way the Edge has been sold since the 1980’s. This model is the typical implementation of a software package onsite. The client has a network that is installed and maintained with a server and the data residing onsite. The client is responsible for maintaining the server, upgrading the server and network when required, and backing up the data as needed. When the client’s system goes down, Tronia reacts by providing remote troubleshooting and support to the client. The costs associated with this model are as follows:
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Hosted Application (Edge Online)
This option, with Tronia Systems as your Application Service Provider ( ASP), allows you to pay for the hosting and the Edge application on a monthly basis, in effect renting the software instead of buying it. Tronia hosts the Edge application and your data on a server in our facility. You securely access the Edge and your data from all your locations using the Internet as the communications backbone. All you pay is a monthly hosting fee every month for each user that accesses the Edge. There is no minimum time to sign up for, no minimum number of months that you have to use the Edge. You simply use the Edge application and pay for the use as you go. What is an Applications Service Provider (ASP)? An ASP is a company that provides their clients access to an application and its data via the Internet in a ‘pay as you go’ mode. The application and data reside on a server that is not on the client’s premises. The client pays a monthly ‘hosting fee’ that covers the cost of the ASP service. This cost is usually based on a per user/ per month fee. We are offering two ASP Payment Models for The Edge Online; Pure ASP, and Hybrid ASP (see below). Tronia Systems has built a state-of-the-art server farm in which to house and maintain the Edge application as well as our clients’ Edge data, still keeping each client’s data completely separate from every other client’s data. Our clients access these secure servers via simple Internet connections using industry standard web browsers and/or access applications, and will only have access to their own data, through the use of sophisticated security technology. This model allows our customers to focus on their business instead of maintaining and updating their computer technology. Tronia Systems uses Citrix Metaframe technology to provide secure, efficient access to The Edge application using the Internet as the communications backbone.
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Client doesn’t sign up for a minimum length term – Tronia allows you to walk away from the ASP service at any time with no penalty
Easy to add or remove users (Tronia only allows you to discontinue up to 50% of your users during non-peak times of the year)
Client doesn’t buy, maintain and upgrade a server
Client no longer needs to worry about maintaining the Edge system (regular backups, running upgrades, installing software)
All client locations can access the Edge system in ‘real-time’ regardless of the communications situation between locations (i.e. batch processing and remote transfer situation are eliminated due to use of the Internet as the communications backbone)
Less downtime due to Tronia’s server farm and the built-in redundancy (multiple servers, hard drives, etc.)
Less communication costs – the ASP model uses the Internet as the communications backbone, so the costs are minimal compared to dedicated data lines, WAN lines, etc. as long as all of the client locations can access the Internet
Access the Edge 'anywhere, any time, from any device' with an Internet connection
Better support and troubleshooting – because the server and data are in our facility, Tronia is able to troubleshoot and support the Edge better than with the Traditional Model (remote troubleshooting and support)
Automatic upgrades to the Edge software and the D3 database – The client will automatically have access to the most up-to-date version of the Edge and the D3 database (client must subscribe to the yearly maintenance agreement)
Clients require less expensive workstations in their facilities to access the Edge. Since all of the processing is being done on the server in Tronia’s facility, all the client needs is a computer capable of connecting to the Internet and running a Web Browser (i.e. current versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator).
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Payment Options with Hosted Application Model |
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Pure ASP Model This model is often referred to as the ‘software by subscription’ model. The client pays a monthly fee for everything, including the cost of the Edge software. There is no need to invest a large amount of money into the software at the beginning. The client is not obligated to sign up for any set term of use of the Edge, so the customer can walk away from the service at any time. |
Hybrid ASP Model The Hybrid ASP Model is a combination of Tronia’s Traditional Model and a ‘pure’ ASP model. The client pays for the Edge software outright and then pays Tronia a smaller hosting fee based on a per user/ per month model. This model minimizes the monthly cost of the subscription by paying for the Edge software up front. The client is not obligated to sign up for any set term of use of the Edge therefore, the customer can walk away from the service at any time.
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Note that with the 'Edge 50' program, you can start out renting the Edge software and should you later choose to purchase the software, we will apply 50% of your accumulated Edge rental fees towards the purchase price of the Edge (some restrictions apply). |
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For more information on the Citrix Metaframe technology, visit Citrix’s website at http://www.citrix.com
For more information on any of Tronia Systems’ technology solutions, or for a product demonstration, contact our Sales Department directly, toll free at 1-877-513-1553 or via email at sales@tronia.com.
Demonstrations can be done from any computer with Internet access. Typically a demo will be done by logging in through our website using a user name and password supplied by Tronia Systems. A Citrix web client may be downloaded automatically through the website login.
