application service provider (business, networking) (ASP) A service (usually a business) that provides remote access to an application program across a network protocol, typically HTTP. A common example is a website that other websites use for accepting payment by credit card as part of their online ordering systems.
As this term is complex-sounding but vague, it is widely used by marketroids who want to avoid being specific and clear at all costs. Last updated: 2001-03-26
