Traditional Web applications built using only standard HTML have a relatively simple architecture and are constructed using a limited set of development options, and which make them relatively easy to design and manage.  However, these applications lack the rich user interaction, multi-media support and stunning presentation that more users are looking for, with the widespread adoption of broadband and high performance computing.

Rich Internet Applications (RIA) combines the strengths of the internet using Web 2.0 technologies with the richness of Desktop Applications.  Processing happens on both the client and the Web application server.  They are built on sophisticated presentation technologies like Adobe, Flash, Java Applets, and Ajax that support a highly interactive user experience and make for visually attractive presentation.  However, their additional complexity makes them harder to design, test, measure, and support. Some Key challenges include:

» Greater Complexity » Lack of Standards » Asynchronous Communications » Distributed Functionality » Performance Management » Managing Service Levels (SLAs)

Essentia has extensive experience developing, testing, deploying and supporting RIA applications in the most popular technologies using open source including JavaScript XML and XSLT along with some XHTML, DHTML, CSS and Java which are supported across a broader variety of browsers.

Windows Presentation Foundation and ActiveX are IE specific, but provide room for much richer applications. Two client samples are described in the case studies listed below:

• Collaborative Online Gaming with Virtual Play Rooms and integrated communications

• Web TV Channel with collaborative video sharing and streaming