New directions in application deployment
“Cost and security concerns have led to increasing customer demand for Web-enabled applications,” says Aad van Schetsen, worldwide Uniface sales director of Compuware.
“Client/server applications require powerful PCs located wherever the application is needed. Roll-out and implementation can be costly. Web applications enable centralised software deployment and all the user requires is a browser.
“Security risks associated with Web-enabled applications are also reduced as applications are centralised behind a firewall,” says Van Schetsen.
This demand for rich Internet applications (RIAs) has led many developers to investigate Ajax-based Web Applications. Ajax is a relatively new global architecture standard, aiming to combine Web-enablement with the rich user interfaces traditionally only associated with client/server applications.
“Ajax enables easy accessibility, uses low bandwidth, and gives a very much better user experience than traditional Web applications – which usually feature pitiful interfaces,” says Van Schetsen. “In the past, applications often had to rely on Java, resulting in performance issues.
“As Ajax is XML- and browser-based, plug-ins are unnecessary. This results in significant performance advantages, and far better user experience compared to normal Web applications.”
Mobile devices have started to play an increasingly important role in businesses, and will continue to do so.
“Companies can improve productivity by offering the option of running part of any business application on mobile devices,” says Van Schetsen. “This can also lead to cost savings, improved data accuracy, and the ability for businesses to react more quickly to a fast-changing business environment. Mobility also offers employees more options for flexible working conditions.”
Mobile applications should feature the facility for automatic data updating once the worker returns with his mobile device to within the wireless office environment.
Loading ...