Caspio Bridge: Database for non-programmers

SAN FRANCISCO: While web-based word processors and spreadsheets such as those offered by Google have had little success convincing business users to replace their desktop programs, Caspio's web database and application creation platform is replacing Microsoft Access and transforming the way organizations create business-critical web database applications.

Traditional desktop databases such as FileMaker and Microsoft Access, a key element in the Microsoft Office suite, have failed to evolve with the requirements of online applications and web-enabled businesses. At the same time, database servers such as MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, and Oracle require programming skills, Caspio said in a statement.

“Caspio's flagship product, Caspio Bridge, is the leading "Office 2.0" database and application creation platform designed for non-programmers, providing a fast point-and-click way to create custom business applications that are deployable to any web site, hosted anywhere,” the company said in a statement.

Frank Zamani founded Caspio in 2000 for the sole purpose of creating an easy-to-use all-inclusive platform for creating and operating web applications fast, without programming and at low cost. "We first looked at what was great in Microsoft Access and created an AJAX-based Software-as-a-Service web database to match its strengths," said Zamani, Caspio founder and CEO. "Then, we created intuitive step-by-step wizards around our web database to empower non-programmers to create rich web-based applications. Third, we added Web Services to let developers extend their Caspio Bridge applications or integrate with other services."

Released in 2001 and upgraded continuously since then, Caspio Bridge is now used by organizations of all sizes, including Fortune-500 companies, universities, non-profits, and government agencies in North America, Europe and the Pacific Rim. Still, the great majority of Caspio Bridge users are small to medium businesses (SMBs) that lack sufficient IT resources.

A fast growing segment of Caspio's SMB customers have gone beyond web-enabling their business and have built their entire business around Caspio Bridge. This validates the depth and breath of Caspio Bridge as a business-grade platform, the statement added.