According to the W3C the Web Services aim in providing interoperability between applications

that run into two different machines over the network. The machines can have different
platforms and application built with different programming language.

I. Overview of existing ICP APSS desktop version

In 2011, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) developed the International Comparison
Program Asia Pacific Software Suite (ICP APSS), an offline Windows desktop application, to
accommodate the management and processing of the ICP data. While the desktop
application worked well, changes in data requirements and the evolution of operating
systems have made it increasingly challenging to rely on the application. Additional steps
such as downloading and installing patches sent through email, backing up databases
manually, and updating excel templates were some examples of how the desktop based ICP
APSS became increasingly tedious to use.

Given these, the need to update and enhance the desktop application became apparent
primarily due to the challenges summarized below.

1. Compatibility errors in updating and installing were increasing.

2. Validation checks that reduce errors in submitted data needed updates.
3. Various ICP products required different platforms or systems to process data.
4. The overall flow in processing data had room for improvement.

II. Development of the ICP APSS web application

As a response to the challenges encountered using the desktop application, the ICP APSS
web application was developed in 2017 with the primary goal of maximizing data by
helping users spend more time analyzing instead of encoding or consolidating data. The
enhanced system addresses challenges of the previous system while at the same time
builds on the strengths and weaknesses which are discussed in the succeeding sections.

Compatibility

As an application designed to be run on website browsers, compatibility issues are greatly

reduced. Website browsers like Google Chrome or Internet Explorer are inherently built
with compatibility in mind. In general, applications developed on this platform should
work on any operating system that has a website browser.

Data Validation

Data validation checks have been added across different modules and additional validation
checks in the future can be added much easier with the aid of the web application’s modern
programming framework. Recognizing that Microsoft Excel is an invaluable tool for most
users, capability to use Excel templates have been retained and updated to dynamically
generate content synchronized with application’s database.

Platform Integration

Initially catering to the Household products alone, the web application has integrated
different products such as Machinery and Equipment, Construction, and Compensation.
Eliminating the need for users to familiarize and learn various disconnected tools and
systems, the enhanced ICP APSS has been designed to be an integrated platform which will
serve as the foundation for future systems, conveniently accessed using a single portal.

User-centered design

Academic research1 has shown that a frictionless2 user experience has become the new
standard and minimum to achieve optimal output from users. Providing users already
familiar with using web browsers with a web application, the enhanced ICP APSS goes
further to reduce friction through an intuitively simple interface based on the previous
system’s interface and from the experience of users of the previous system. Steps in the
data process flow have been reduced or optimized thanks to the numerous iterations of
design and testing by local staff and consultants of the ADB ICP team.

III. Recommendations towards an online ICP APSS

As a web application, there are numerous improvements to the ICP APSS that could further
potentially improve speed, security, and efficiency of data processing. Some benefits of a
centralized online database server are summarized below.

1. Securely manage user credentials. The responsibility of authentication is currently

delegated to the user once the application is download on their local computer.
Given the offline nature, names and passwords are stored locally and can be
changed instantly without verification. With a centralized user database ICP system
administrators can authenticate user identity by connecting accounts to email
addresses access. Further, authenticated identities allow administrators to create
and delegate access data access levels accordingly.

1Keshavarz, H., Fahimnia, F., Sedigh Talemi, F. (2018). Behavioral Considerations in Developing Web Information Systems: User-
centered Design Agenda. Journal of Cyberspace Studies, 2(1), 127-143. doi: 10.22059/jcss.2017.235653.1005

2Friction is anything that prevents users from intuitively achieving their goals within a system while they interact with a product
or user interface.
 2. Streamline data process flows. With the current design, users are expected to export
data to their computer, attach this to an email, send it to the correct recipients, then
downloaded and consolidated by the recipient. This process flow not only is
redundant every time data is sent, but it also raises threats to data privacy by
creating multiple copies of the data. With a centralized online server, all data can be
securely stored at a single point and can safely be accessed in real-time by anyone
with the necessary credentials.

3. Automate system features. An online server has immense potential to improve the
way value is delivered to users. There may be no more need for manual system
updates, notifications can be built in to send reminders to users, standard reports
can be sent on a regular timeframe, or even analysis of user behavior can all lead to
further improvement of the ICP APSS platform.

In summary, while the enhanced ICP APSS web application is currently designed to work
offline, the maximum potential of the platform could be further realized once it is
connected to the internet through an online web server.