The phrase Application Service Provider or ASP was created by a company in Norway called Telecomputing. Like most ASPs, Telecomputing experienced the boom and bust of the internet bubble. Telecomputing's engine for delivering software over the internet has now grown for over a decade and is today one of the most tested and versatile engines. Apptix, in the USA, is currently using this engine with several partners including HP, IBM and Microsoft to deliver Software as a Service. An application service provider (ASP) is a business that provides computer-based services to customers over a network. ... ... International Business Machines Corporation (IBM, or colloquially, Big Blue) NYSE: IBM (incorporated June 15, 1911, in operation since 1888) is headquartered in Armonk, NY, USA. The company manufactures and sells computer hardware, software, and services. ... Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT, HKEx: 4338) is the worlds largest software company, with 2005 global annual sales of 40 billion US dollars and nearly 60,000 employees in 85 countries and regions. ...