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Rich Internet Applications: When to Take the Leap

di Dirk Knemeyer
Pubblicato il 14 Luglio 2005

Versione italiana dell’articolo

Before deciding to develop a RIA, be sure that is the right solution for your specific situation

Last November, in my column “Innovating the Web Experience” on Digital Web, I wrote about “The End of Usability Culture.” where I identified the trends that presaged the rise and popularity of Rich Internet Applications (RIAs). A few months later, Jesse James Garrett published his essay on AJAX , and RIAs have been at the forefront of conversation among progressive—and increasingly among mainstream—designers and developers of Web applications ever since. However, RIAs are not a silver bullet. While they do provide improved capabilities in most cases, they are also more complicated and, thus, more difficult to develop and maintain. So, before deciding to develop a Rich Internet Application, be sure that is the right solution for your specific situation. In this article, I’ll describe three cases in which developing an RIA is likely to be a good option:

• when evolving mature Web applications that are well designed and implemented
• when developing new, wholly Web-based products and services
• for companies whose brands will benefit from a cutting-edge image

Evolving Mature, Well-Designed Web Applications

Attempting to launch a new Web service as a Rich Internet Application is a risky proposition. Because of an RIA’s added complexity, taking it from ground zero to a functional and successful product requires more time and resources than developing a conventional Web application. Often, it is better to ship a basic product, then evolve it iteratively through several product development cycles, as you develop an understanding of the kind of relationship and user experience your customers want and need.

Over time, you can enhance the functionality of your existing Web applications—particularly those that are already successful in the marketplace—by gradually moving to an RIA framework. This may involve either reimplementing existing functionality or adding new components to your Web applications. Ultimately, you might even reimplement entire Web applications as RIAs. However, the worse shape a product’s user experience is in, the less sense it makes to try to make this leap. Successful Web development is complicated enough. Start by getting the basics right, then begin to explore the exciting potential RIAs can offer.

Developing New Web-Based Products and Services

There are good reasons why Web companies like Google and Yahoo! are among the early adopters of RIA technology in their Web applications. Progressive Web companies tend to be more knowledgeable about the latest trends in Web technologies. A richer interaction model and user experience can greatly enhance the success of the products that they offer. In contrast, brick-and-mortar companies are more apt to use RIAs for their marketing power—similar to their use of Flash in years past. Given the digital nature of their products, Web companies employ some of the best digital product designers in the world and have the in-house know-how and experience to successfully develop RIAs. Thus, these companies can design and implement RIAs more quickly than most. Startup companies providing new Web products and services that fully leverage the benefits of RIAs, such as Flickr, are often more successful adopters of these new technologies than more entrenched companies. The challenges inherent in redesigning and reimplementing the user experience of any major, established application sometimes present obstacles to the adoption of new technologies.

Using Cutting-Edge Technology to Enhance Brand Image

Some companies live or die by the public’s perception of them. Companies like Nike and BMW enjoy resonant benefits any time they can visibly demonstrate their being more technologically advanced or cutting edge than their competitors. In such cases—where major brands derive much of their cache from a progressive image—strongly moving into RIAs is a good business play. Such companies can create demonstrable brand value by adopting such new technologies. However, their execution of this technology strategy must be very powerful and successful. While a superior user experience will greatly benefit their image, a poorly implemented vision will harm their brand. Companies making this kind of brand play must do it right.

Are You Ready to Move to an RIA?

While RIAs represent an exciting new opportunity in Web application design, it is important to remember that they are not the right solution for every situation. If you are thinking of moving to an RIA framework, it is vital that you take an objective look at your Web application’s current user experience and implementation to determine whether it is realistic for you to jump straight into an RIA. While many technology companies may be ready to successfully make this leap, other more traditional companies may not have the sophistication or understanding to move to RIA technology in a way that creates real business value for them. Finally, while RIAs can improve brand equity by palpably demonstrating innovation and progressive zeitgeist, moving to RIAs makes sense only for companies that have a good business reason for doing so. As with any technology investment, making the move from more traditional Web applications to RIAs requires careful thought and an objective assessment of the risks and benefits.

Thanks to Pabini Gabriel-Petit for her editorial assistance.