RES-Reach works with World Wide Web (Web) servers to extend the hypertext markup language (HTML) from a format that sends static documents to those requesting them into a format that dynamically custom-generates documents for each user. These documents allow complete two-way interaction between the end user and the database. The user runs an application remotely, rather than simply browsing a directory of documents.

The Web provides a number of features that drastically reduce the cost of distributing a client-server application in multiple locations:

Client software is free: Web browsers provide all the elements that an application typically needs in terms of user interface, including graphics and multimedia. A number of high-quality browsers are available free of charge for virtually every platform, while others are very reasonably priced.

Server software is free: Web servers on the major high-end platforms are available free of charge. Some extended capabilities, such as encryption, require a commercial server.

Network is free: The Internet is a cooperative network; the network itself does not charge the client. To get a connection between a computer and the Internet from an Internet Service Provider (ISP) will generally require costs that are lower than alternative public or private networks. The software required to support the network (TCP/IP protocol) is available for free on most platforms and is often included with major local area networks and operating systems.