What are Rich Internet Applications (RIA)?
Rich Internet applications (RIA) are web applications that have the features and functionality of traditional desktop applications. RIAs typically provide a "no-refresh" look to the user interface and provide what is now being known as HDuX - High Definition User eXperience. For an end user, RIA apps bring the best of client-server and web technology and for most ISVs and E-businesses, it is now imperative to adopt RIA technology for their next release.
From software development perspective RIA follows a standard software development model with rich controls that include powerful data and multimedia capability allowing us to present a rich set of information in an attractive interface. From design perspective, RIA delivers highly customizable output with a CSS (Cascading Style Sheet) based model.
Emergence of RIA
The Internet started as a mode of delivering static data with HTML. Soon this gave
way to business applications that demanded dynamic information. This was supported
by scripts like JavaScript that improved user experience. However the emergence
of complex business systems presented new challenges for the web. Unlike simple
applications, the new business systems required features that involved numerous
steps. This resulted in confusion for users since different steps were needed to
perform a single transaction that involved long traversal through the applications
through multiple forms and interfaces. Moreover the synchronous nature of these
applications reduced performance and resulted in slow rendering. At this juncture
Web Spiders realized that there was a need to use a technology that would remove
these shortcomings and will have the ability to deliver complex information quickly
in an engaging mode to users. And then there was RIA which not only solved these
problems by bringing in the age old usability of desktop applications but also incorporated
features that would serve the complex enterprise requirements of the future.
RIA Architecture
The distinctive feature that distinguishes RIA architecture from general web architecture
is its rendering engine. RIA uses a rendering engine that works from client-end
and acts as a mediator between the web server and user.
On the server side, most RIA applications include a server component that works
for the rendering engine by processing the client-end business logic.
As a result of this innovative architecture, RIA offers that following advantages:
-
Information is fetched from server and updated in an asynchronous mode based on
user needs
-
Information is cached and the same is delivered to user without fetching these from
the server every time
- Fast application response
RIA and SOA (Service-Oriented Architecture)
SOA (Service-Oriented Architecture) results in applications that consist of a complex
set of discrete services that congregate to serve one or more business processes.
Although SOA has brought a radical change in software philosophy, delivering services
to users in a perceptive way has proved to be a big challenge.
Applications developed at Web Spiders uses RIA to leverage SOA by presenting a complex
set of services to users in a smart and easy way. A simple way for RIA to use a
web service is through AJAX.
RIA tool
Adobe Flex is a RIA
tool that enables us to develop RIA in a quick delivery model resulting in high
productivity and customer satisfaction.
Benefits of RIA
For Web Spiders, RIA offers a unique framework enabling a rich set of features that add more value to businesses in the long run. This is where RIA helps our customers:
- Increased productivity
RIA development is based on a traditional development model that is easy to learn, follow and deliver. This makes RIA development highly productive - Low operational cost and improves performance
Since RIA framework enables client-end processing, it eases server load and takes less bandwidth - RIA opens new business avenues
Applications developed at Web Spiders takes RIA development to new heights by opening new avenues for businesses and a whole set of services that can be delivered through RIA - RIA enables more transactions
Since RIA allows users to perform multiple tasks in a simple and intuitive way from a single integrated interface it result in more transactions to be carried out - RIA retains customers
Web Spiders adds value to existing customers by presenting RIA as the new and improved face of the web - RIA wins the race
Applications developed at Web Spiders with RIA presents a definite competitive advantage for our client over other business applications that serve similar segments but lack the richness, usability and performance that RIA has to offer