Rich Internet Applications (RIA), where the web is going!

10/11/2008 - London, UK

Rich Internet Applications (RIA) is now an industry standard term, originally coined by Macromedia (now Adobe), which describes web based software applications that are delivered via a rich browser based client such as Adobe's Flash Player, Microsoft's Silverlight Player and/or traditional in-browser Javascript techniques (commonly referred to as AJAX).

Old vs The New:
Rich Internet Applications will make up a significant portion of web and intranet based applications over the next few years and beyond, and this is because they bring significant benefits over their more "standard" counterparts.

The standard HTML page based web applications have generally been considered to be more cumbersome and difficult for end users to complete difficult workflows, the onscreen elements and controls which can be developed using RIA technology, for example using Adobe Flex, far surpasses the workflow which can be built using standard HTML based applications, and it is likely that these improvements will radically increase the propensity for successful user adoption of the application when it goes into the live production environment.

Standard web applications have been developed universally in response to an upward trend of businesses needing to provide either their internal or external clients with better functionality and streamlined processes harnessing the web platform, be it making a purchase online via the company's website or processing that received order in the back office through to fulfillment.

It is no secret that many web software development projects fail to satisfy the basic functional and operational needs of their end users (regardless of whether those users are internal within the organization or customers thereof) of which simplicity is key, and with the advent of rich internet application technology when properly designed and implemented, this situation can be radically reversed by drawing upon the user centric, highly intuitive, engaging and sticky graphical user interfaces which can be delivered using the best of breed development tools which are now available in the market place.

No longer is it necessary to produce long technical and jargon filled client requirements documents and specifications at the conception of the project, but now the reliance on the production of the serious functional requirements can to some extent be contained within a fast user centric prototype first approach in order to deliver an iterative cycle of "throw-away" applications to be quickly delivered to satisfy the functional visualisation and understanding for the end user group, and to demonstrate the proposed solution's operational remit.

This ability to quickly prototype in such a way as to produce life like functional demo apps in a short space of time can go some of the way to ensuring that all parties to the development understand how the new rich internet application is going to operate, and provides a heads-up to the project team should the scope or predefined requirements move away from what the users actually need.


Native Interface Elements & User Experience:
Rich Internet Applications are delivered via standard web browser, however they operate like native desktop applications that even fairly IT illiterate end users have become accustomed to using. Rich and engaging user interfaces make applications easier to use and requires less training and step by step "hand holding" than long drawn out processes that can only be represented in a step by step, mind numbing sequence of page reloads via standard browser based applications.

Stickiness is not a word that would be attached to software applications in many modes of delivery, however with RIAs this is what the software development industry is trying to achieve, making hard user jobs easy so that those users want to come back again and again rather than pursue other methods for completion of a task, because its made fun (yes fun) and efficient to do so.

Working with sticky RIAs avoids that all too common IT system phenomenon of process abandonment which ends up costing companies dearly be it through wasted time and efficiencies or the fact that the potential customer went elsewhere because the competitor's process was slick and easy to use.

User Experience provides repeat visits and better uptake of a software product, therefore those businesses or software providers who fail to engage their clients with great user interfaces will soon find themselves left behind in favor of alternatives, particularly as other businesses take up Rich Internet Applications and raise the bar higher still.


Longevity of Rich Internet Apps:
RIA technology is the way forward for web based applications, and it is clear that given the industry wide support that RIAs will be a thing of the future and not a fad of the past. Adobe Flex and Microsoft Silverlight are gaining more and more support from the development community, and every week new showcases are coming to market boasting about their highly intuitive, user centric and future proof offerings which are redesigning the way that the web and businesses in general operate.

Are standard page based applications / websites going to be a thing of the past, well not in the near future, but in the next few years we will undoubtedly be seeing the market leaders increasing their investment into Rich Internet Application technology. With this in mind, both established as well as new businesses need to make sure that they do not slip too far behind in the game!

Adobe Flex or Microsoft Silverlight – Which One is Best?
This is a hard question to answer, and one that will draw fire from many sides. Our current preference at the time of writing is Adobe Flex 3 (Flex 4 coming soon), because it is a mature application framework with a solid and demonstrable user base, along with a rich set of tried and tested development tools and components.

Microsoft Silverlight is looking great and some excellent showcases are coming about, but time will be the key player in this respect, we are expecting to see significant uptake of both the Silverlight plugin and development platform, and with Microsoft’s engineers and drive behind it we expect it to go from strength to strength.

Keep watching this space, but coming from both a Microsoft and Adobe development background Moov2 aim to deliver cutting edge solutions using the right tools for the job!

If you require any assistance with seeing where Rich Internet Application technology could help you to improve your business then please do not hesitate to contact us.