The Business Case for Adobe AIR

Adobe AIR, or Adobe Integrated Runtime by its full name, is a cross platform desktop runtime allowing applications to be built using web technologies, namely one or more of the following:

•    Adobe Flash / Flex / ActionScript 3
•    JavaScript / Ajax
•    HTML.


Adobe AIR is a relatively new platform with version 1.1 being released in early 2008, and the platform is now approaching version 1.5. This latest version will include several new features, the latest Flash Player 10 release and will be shortly followed by a release of a Linux version then offering true cross-platform support enabling AIR applications to run on the three major operating platforms (Windows, Mac and Linux).


Developed Using Existing Web Technologies:

The benefits of selecting the AIR platform are wide ranging, but includes the ability for businesses to deploy many of the skills already understood by web based software developers to deliver engaging and rich software applications to the desktop environment.

Previously desktop applications would be built by desktop developers, while the web developers would be separately focused on their area of building applications for the web, even if the two served nearly the same purpose. Now the divide is not as great as web developers can leverage their existing knowledge to create desktop applications. 

Cross Platform / Operating System and Device Support:

The cross platform capabilities of AIR allows web and desktop application developers to bridge the divide of operating systems, allowing a single installable package to be rolled out seamlessly across Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems. This significantly reduces development time and costs usually associated to building multiple packages using different platforms and  / or programming languages, and also ensures that the application's reach is maximised.

These benefits mean that a powerful new era is upon us during which businesses can harness existing technology skills and use them to develop business systems which would have usually been limited to developers with desktop application development expertise, often targeted at a single operating system, or where either a standard web based application would have been considered, perhaps integrating with one or more desktop applications deployed in parallel.


Local File System and Storage Capabilities:

It is now possible to combine trusted local desktop applications and native local storage access with web enablement, meaning that a true Service Orientated Architecture (SOA) can be achieved, maximising system interoperability and the efficiencies that are second to none when it comes to complex workflows being handled by desktop based software, but distributed across internal and external networks alike.

As well as trusted local file access, Adobe Integrated Runtime ships with SQLite, a self contained database engine, which can be used to simply store and retrieve local data, and with the upcoming release of AIR 1.5 (imminent at time of writing), this database can be placed within AIR's 128 bit AES encrypted secure local storage area.


Online / Offline Applications:

How often is it the case that in today's hectic business life that software users could benefit from access to a business system, however the system can only be used over the Internet or via a virtual private network (VPN) link into the business' network when this is not available?

Similarly it is a common complaint of system users that they are unable to easily store and share their business data when they have been working offline and then reconnect to the network/internet. Adobe AIR, along with its web enabled capabilities and local file and data storage can allow applications to be developed which radically remove this all too common obstacle, providing for seamless integration of online and offline business data, and also adding to the system's uptime in the event of a network failure.

Desktop Branding:

AIR applications, being based on the Flash Platform allow for highly intuitive, rich and appealing software applications to be developed, leveraging Adobe Flash content and with the strong relationships between AIR and Adobe Creative Suite products being reinforced as the platform matures. The ability to bring a business' branding and marketing real estate on to the desktop has become equally apparent.

With the release of the Adobe AIR 1.1 runtime in early 2008 the platform has seen some major brands take up the new technology and leverage its many benefits including the BBC, AOL, eBay and The Sun newspaper.

Having constantly connected desktop software allows companies' messages to be displayed in real time to the desktop of their users, whilst providing a visually appealing platform that has not, to such an extent, been possible until now, particularly across multiple platforms and operating systems.


If you require assistance with the development of a Rich Desktop Application, please do not hesitate to contact us.