ASP hype passes CAD/CAM users by, says report

Only three out of ten UK-based CAD/CAM managers operating in the mechanical engineering sector are aware of the term ASP (Application Service Provider), and this figure has not changed from a year ago

Only three out of ten UK-based CAD/CAM managers operating in the mechanical engineering sector are aware of the term 'ASP' (Application Service Provider), and this figure has not changed from a year ago, according to recent research conducted by The Business Advantage Group Plc.

Managers responsible for CAD/CAM functions at 259 UK-based mechanical engineering sites were interviewed by telephone in November and December 2001 about their current attitudes to using ASPs.

One year beforehand, in November 2000, 301 UK-based CAD/CAM users from a range of industry sectors had been asked many of the same questions.

The sample was taken from Business Advantage's database of 20,000 UK CAD/CAM user sites.

The research also found that: * Clarification of the term 'ASP' made no difference to respondents' awareness of the concept.

Only three out of ten of the sample were aware that applications are available via the Internet residing on the server of a host supplier, such as engineering analysis, file conversion and design solutions.

* The use of ASP's has not increased in the last year either - there are still only 2% of sites using a service that fits a broad definition of the ASP model.

The majority of this tiny group are using a file conversion ASP.

* Regarding plans for future usage of ASPs, the highest level of interest in the various uses suggested was in using an ASP for CAD file translation, with 7% saying yes definitely, and 29% saying yes possibly.

The lowest level of interest was in using an ASP in future for regular CAD/CAM needs, with 3% saying yes definitely, and 8% saying yes possibly.

Chris Turner, Managing Director of The Business Advantage Group Plc, observes: "So the take-up of the ASP delivery model has made no progress among mechanical engineering sites in the last year, and there hasn't even been an increase in the awareness of its existence.

The rise and fall of the ASP hype has passed by this section of potential users completely.

I think that the low take-up is symptomatic of the wider sluggishness to consider the Internet as a vital tool in the product development process, rather than a mistrust of the ASP concept itself.

Throw in the confusion/pessimism on the broadband situation in the UK, and you have a recipe for inactivity.

However, there is a glimmer of hope to be found in the numbers of sites who are not discounting using ASPs out of hand.

Although only around five or six per cent are definitely going to consider using an ASP in future, if you add this group to those who say it's possible that they'll consider it, the proportion grows to up to a third depending on the type of application in question.

These companies may not be champing at the bit to access ASP delivered services, but at least they seem open to considering the benefits of this option.

Clearly there is more interest in using an ASP for one-off or more irregular activities, rather than for more regular or core CAD/CAM needs.

If the ASP model is going to grow, it's likely to be through companies trying it for a discrete task such as CAD file conversion, and then building trust in this way of working.

It is not going to happen overnight, and it won't happen without those who are selling this option getting out to raise awareness of the benefits." The full research report entitled 'ASP Low Down', including colour charts, can be read free of charge at: http://www.business-advantage.co.uk/Spaghetti/asp.htm.

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