Maintenance software provider Arsenault Associates, Atco, N.J., has published a free guide for negotiating an agreement with an Application Service Provider (ASP).

Called "How to Be a Smart ASP Buyer," the document includes "The ASP Buyer's Checklist," a how-to guide for first-time buyers in this rapidly evolving software business.
"There is no standard ASP service and no established model for service agreements. Even the term, ASP, means different things to different providers. In fact, the business community is still tinkering with the structure of ASP service level agreements," said Charles Arsenault, company president.
ASPs essentially rent software to users who run the software over the Internet or dedicated phone lines from the ASP's location. This method of delivering software offers immediate benefits without computer maintenance hassles.
But as in any new field, early adopters are feeling their way. "How to Be a Smart ASP Buyer" is intended to help. Among the items it covers are:

• Detailed descriptions of subscription terms, payment schedules, extra fees, security arrangements, service guarantees, ownership of the data, training, support and exactly what each party is expected to provide in terms of hardware, software and communications. The ASP Buyer's Checklist contains 20 specific items to settle.

• The wise extent of legal department involvement in technical decisions.

• Misgivings from your Information Technology department.

Arsenault Associates offers its Dossier32 maintenance software as an ASP. The online service is called 24/7 Fleet Online.
"How to Be a Smart ASP Buyer" is available free on Arsenault's web site at www.truckfleet.com. Click on "enter site" on the opening screen, then select "company news."