What are Rich Internet Apps?

Rich Internet embodies a family of technologies - from AJAX to FLASH - that enable a more interactive user experience. Live database feeds update content instantly, eliminating the cumbersome click-wait-refresh pacing. Options such as a one screen checkout, product sifters, product comparators, as well as other unique experiences facilitate easier transactions and more efficiencies for end users and organizations alike. The result is the ability to increase sales, improve customer retention, save money and time and expedite internal efficiencies. These technologies expand the capabilities for web-based functions and applications without internal overhaul. Web 2.0 brings new and richer user experiences. And that is exactly what Rich Internet apps do.

Beyond HTML

Rich Internet (RI) offers significant capabilities over and above or in conjunction with HTML. As a document markup language, HTML was only ever intended to present information or "mark up" text files. Hence its name, Hyper Text Markup Language. With web users making increasingly challenging demands for website functionality like searches, e-commerce checkouts, and seamless video usage, the Internet has long since outgrown the limitations of this first-generation architecture.

Why Rich Internet Technology?

Using RI, the same functionality enjoyed over desktop applications can now be built into web applications. This allows for a powerful combination of: the best of the web (broad reach, instant deployment and cross-platform support); the best of the desktop (fast performance, immediate feedback and greater directive features like drag-and-drop); and integrated communications like audio, video and chat.

Interesting Facts

• Rich Internet Technology supports a broad range of platforms and devices. This allows applications to work the same across operating environments and browsers including IE, Firefox, Opera and Netscape
• Rich Internet Technology can be used with legacy backend systems
• Existing sites require no overhaul. Rich Internet applications can be embedded into an HTML page, site, or application
• Rich Internet Technology can also be brought to handheld devices using Flash Lite
• Flash Player on 98% of all PCs