I love Microsoft and I love Windows. I hate to admit it but they make the best software you can buy. But when you can get a really awesome Operating System for FREE then as a business you have to look at the bottom line. I'm not saying Linux is an end-all be-all against Microsoft's offerings, but I do think it can find its place in the world.

Let's look at specialized computer systems designed for a single task like Point of Sale systems. These are computers that are completely unlike office workstations and home PCs. They serve a single task of recording the sale and movement of inventory and services rendered to your customer. They don't need to have really good sound systems and be able to show video at ultra-pixel resolution. In the equine world they are the mules that carry the load. So often small and medium sized businesses are spending money they could save. Many large businesses have embraced alternate operating systems for a lone time and I hope the trend will continue.

One of the concerns many businesses have is in installing specialized software and going through complicated setups. There is now an emerging trend in software development that will get rid of many of these fears. Several Point of Sale applications have been released as Web Server based applications. This is not to be confused with an Internet Application although they are very similar which I'll explain. A Web Server based application can be installed locally and an Internet Application is installed off-site and accessed through your Internet Connection. These applications can be found and used either way depending on the manufacturer's sales model.

With Software as a Service becoming the motto of many of today's large software companies it becomes obvious the power Internet Applications hold. Instead of selling a license to install software and risk a bad install software manufacturer's can charge for access to the software online through a web browser. This provides so many benefits that I don't think I can list them all. Hosted software is instantly updated to all users, has an install so easy you can just click a shortcut and you're running and can provide guaranteed off-site data back up that was once only the luxury of super rich mega companies. Those are just the icing on the cake. You can run a Hosted application on almost any platform. Suddenly Linux systems don't require a specialized software install, just a web browser. The technical support required for a non-Microsoft operating system drops considerably. You also get the added advantage of easy access on handheld devices and mobile phones.

The easiest fastest way to create any tool for multiple platforms and not worry about technical support costs is to look for those companies making the leap to the next level of technology. Software companies that make Internet Based and Web Based applications are going to experience an explosion as the world moves to this advantage. Many of the largest companies have already stated their support and intensions in this area. When looking for a software company to provide a point of sale system I look at how well it integrates into this model. Can the software be hosted on a single server and manage 100 locations? How easy is it to install on different platforms? Can I keep it backed up and updated quickly and easily? Will it lower my bottom line and increase my profits? Evaluate the arguments and you'll see the advantages Hosted Applications can offer any size business.