Rich Web Applications (RWA) are browser based Rich Internet Applications (RIA). They exploit new Application Programming Interfaces (API) in browsers that allow users to interact with a page on the Web as they would a desktop application.

The conjunction of RWA, Web 2.0 for business (or Enterprise Web 2.0), and evolutionary changes in IT infrastructure like Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), are creating new opportunities for business. Butler Group believes building RIAs will become the default mode of application development in the future.


Report Highlights
• RIA will be the default mode in application development as the Internet further progresses its transition from technology to part of the fabric of everyday society.
• RWA and Web 2.0 ideas are being transferred to Enterprise Web 2.0, opening up new business opportunities, such as rapid business process development and reuse.
• Security deficiencies mean that mixing Web services (or mashing) in Enterprise Web 2.0-type applications cannot yet extend safely beyond the firewall.
• Currently, businesses need separate security policies for Internet and Intranet Web services. Intranet Web services must never be risked beyond the firewall and therefore need to be governed.
• The progress of SOA and Business Process Management (BPM) into the enterprise will require presentation-layer applications, for which RWA are ideal.
• RIA will feed into other areas of IT, so that Web-enabled IT products will have richer user interfaces; for example, in Business Intelligence.
• Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) will be given a significant technology enhancement by RWA, making it more attractive to customers.
• RWAs are now on the boundary between early adopter and early mainstream stages.
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Section 1: Management Summary 9
1.1 Management Summary 11
Section 2: Introduction and Business Issues 19
2.1 Report Objectives and Structure 21
2.2 RWA and Application Development 22
2.3 Business Issues and Strategies 26
2.4 Web 2.0 and Beyond 31
2.5 Application Development Survey 37
Section 3:Web Development Technology 45
3.1 Introduction to Tools and Libraries 47
3.2 Ajax 52
3.3 Platforms and Browser Plug-ins 57
3.4 End-to-end Web Development Tools and Other Tools 62
3.5 Developing RIA in SOA 65
Section 4: Architectures, Models, and Strategies 71
4.1 Business Strategies for Building Rich Web Applications 73
4.2 RWA on Service Oriented Architecture 78
4.3 Architecture and Security 82
4.4 Butler Group Application Lifecycle Model 88
4.5 RWA Implications for Vertical Sectors 96
Section 5: Vendor Comparisons 107
5.1 Market Analysis 109
5.2 Comparison of Vendor and Product Strategies 112
5.3 Market Direction 117
Section 6: Tables 121
6.1 Butler Group Rich Web Applications Features Matrix 123
6.2 Butler Group Rich Web Applications Product Capability Diagrams 132
6.3 Butler Group Rich Web Applications Market Lifecycle Ratings 137
Section 7: Technology Audits 143
Adobe Systems Incorporated – Flex, Version 2.0 145
Altio – AltioLive, version 4.4 155
Backbase – AJAX Framework 4 163
Canoo – UltraLightClient 6.1 171
edge IPK – edgeConnect 181
Microsoft – Rich User Experience 191
Nexaweb – Nexaweb Platform v4.5 201
OutSystems – OutSystems Platform 4.0 211
Sun Microsystems – Visual Web Pack and NetBeans IDE 5.5 221
TIBCO Software – TIBCO General Interface, version 3.3 229
Section 8: Vendor Profiles 239
Above All Software 241
Aviarc 241
ClearNova 242
Curl 243
Digital Harbor 244
Dojo 244
DotNetNuke 245
DreamFactory 246
Droplets 247
Section 8: Vendor Profiles (continued)
FastNET ASP 247
Google 248
Hyfinity 249
IBM 249
Infragistics 250
InterSystems 251
JackBe 251
Laszlo Systems 252
Mart Technology 252
Northgate Information Solutions 253
No Magic 254
Oracle 254
Pramati Technologies 255
Ruby on Rails 256
Unify/Gupta 256
Zend 257
Section 9: Glossary 259
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