Agenda

• The Realities of modern Ajax• What does state of the art Ajax look like?• Myth busting

• Subtle & strategic concerns with Plugins

• The Hybrid Strategy• Leverage the latest technology• Stay with standards• Avoid dead-end technologies

Myth: Plugins go beyond the Browser

Browser

XPlugin

Reality: Ajax Leverages all Plugins

Browser

Ajax

Silverlight

Flex

Java

Reality: Plugins Create Silos

• Java in Flex? Doesn’t work• Flex in Silverlight? Doesn’t work• Plugins as primary interface

technology• Prevent integration with applications/sites• Can’t pick best of breed components• Unacceptable to certain

customers/partners

• Ajax: Universal Integration Platform

Myth: Ajax is Hard Reality: Easy with right framework

• SmartClient: No Cross-Browser Issues• Full software lifecycle insulation• Custom components through

theming/branding • Only JavaScript required, or..

• SmartGWT: write Ajax RIAs in Java• Use full Java toolset• Feels like Java Swing• Maximally leverage existing skills

• Cutting edge RIA, existing staff

Myth: Ajax Tools Lacking Reality: Tools are now excellent

• All browsers now have Firebug clones• SmartClient Visual Builder

• Build applications in a browser• Easy enough for semi-technical users • Zero install, collaborative development

• SmartClient Aptana/Eclipse Plug-in• Code assist (autocompletion)• Wizards and Snippets

Demo: Visual Builder

•Drag and drop visual development•Customizable, web-based builder•Clean code for further refinement

Myth: Ajax is Slow

• SmartClient: Ajax RIAs in 2002• Dynamic OLAP cube navigation in browser• More sophisticated than most plugin demos• Runs in IE6 on 1GHz

• Ajax RIAs Today• Browser + hardware 200x faster• Faster than plugins for many use cases• Faster on “secondary” platforms

Reality: Ajax 200x faster than it

needs to be

Demo: SmartClient CubeGrid

•Sophisticated in-browser analytics•Drag and drop, on-the-fly reporting•Wraps a plugin technology for charts

Myth: Plugins needed for feature X Reality: Standards caught up, overtaking

• HTML5 and other standards: • Offline Support• Video & Sound• Vector Graphics• Animation & Visual Effects• Binary Bi-directional Comm

Myth: Plugins needed for feature X• Early implementations of all of the

above already exist in production browsers• Ajax wrappers allow consistent, standards-

based access to future capabilities, today

• All browser vendors rapidly implementing standards• Feature parity or lose market share• Currently vying for the “fastest JavaScript”

crown

The Future of Plugins? • Required reasons to use them vanishing

• Standards advancing rapidly• Ajax wrapper approach compelling

• Installed base in trouble?• Silverlight, HTML5, JavaFX fracturing core

video delivery, gaming reasons for Flash install

• New versions start at 0% adoption, enterprise uptake is much slower than consumer uptake

• Ajax & standards a safer long term bet

Ajax makes strategic sense

• You will be using Ajax• Spot enhancements • Incremental upgrade

• Ajax handles RIAs easily, today• Ajax advancing rapidly in

capability• Ajax avoids silos, and is a safer

long run bet

Strategy Summary

•Use Ajax as primary interface technology

•Use Ajax wrappers to provide standard interfaces today, implemented with whatever works best

•Replace any plugin-based implementations with standards over time, without disruption

What Now?

• Take a fresh look at Ajax• Great Tools• No More Cross-Browser Headaches• Very Rich

• Think strategically• Where do I get maximum flexibility?• What skills do I want for my staff, long

run?

• Define or Re-evaluate Your Strategy