Technology Focus Part 1 To Host or Not To Host?

There's one other issue: Browser interfaces tend to have a different look and feel than standard programs, often with a less efficient use of screen space. For instance, they require several screens to enter an order rather than the efficiency of single screens in a traditional solution.

This issue is being addressed. Web technologies such as AJAX are giving browser interfaces a much more traditional look and feel. Once hosted solution providers begin to widely adopt techniques, such as drag-and-drop, you'll find it difficult to tell whether the system you're using is running on your PC or in a browser.