Octopus has 3 applications:
End-User Self Service Web Portal: 100% Browser based web application that end-users use to submit requests.
Octopus application: Desktop application installed on the technician's PC. The application uses the web to communicate with the Octopus server the same way a web browser does (Smart Client architecture). However, the user interface is a "real" Windows application that provides a richer and faster user experience. The application features automatic updates so you install it once never worry about updates.
Web Tech: 100% Browser based web application that technicians can use to accomplish most common tasks (view assignments, create incidents, resolve incidents, etc.). That application has been designed to use when by technician when he is working from home, from a remote office, wants to update incidents while he is at an end-user's PC or when working from a non-Windows based computer.
With Octopus, you get the best of both worlds: An responsive and rich application that is efficient to use on a day-to-day basis for technicians; And web applications that require no installation for end-users and for technicians when they cannot access the main application.