Switching on the (Silver) Light for Enterprises
June 17, 2008 :: 3274 Views
Silverlight applications up and running fast, how does Windows Forms sound to you?
The Visual WebGui (VWG) 'on-server' web paradigm has now been implemented for Microsoft Silverlight. It simplifies Silverlight line of business (LOB) development with a proven 90% cut in development time while it empowers it as a GUI for LOB applications.
Gizmox, the company behind the Visual WebGui (VWG) open source platform, has been cooperating with Microsoft in the development of VWG server-empowered Silverlight. A fully functional Beta version will be released beginning of July 2008.
Now, VWG SDK can be used for rapid development of fully blown, data-centric, enterprise-level Microsoft Silverlight applications.
VWG On-Server Empowerment
The move to Web 2.0, AJAX and Silverlight has created problems for LOB applications as it provides them with less than adequate solutions for security concerns, cost-effective development cycles and support for complex interactions in data-centric applications. It is lacking too in options for off-line, desktop and smart client operability. The good news is that the 'On-Server' web paradigm, implemented by VWG, provides solutions to all of these concerns and needs. Read more on VWG 'On-Server' paradigm. See a presentation about VWG 'On-Server' paradigm.
A 90% Cut in the Development Cycle without Compromising Silverlight's Rich Graphics
Until now, most of the controls needed for Silverlight LOB applications were missing. Now developers can use VWG's VB6-like designer, dragging and dropping over 60 Windows Forms controls to build Silverlight applications. VWG is as much a revolution in simplifying development in AJAX / Silverlight as VB6 was, in its time, for desktop applications. See real-world testimonial.
This methodology has a real-world, field-proven track record for simplifying development and saving time and resources by 90%. It is currently the fastest method of choice for a migration path to Silverlight and it does it without losing any of Silverlight's rich capabilities - still allowing you to use Expression Blend for styling. There's no need for retooling, retraining or fighting to stay on the learning curve. Once you've made the simple transition you will be more productive than ever. Refer to the real-world experiences of those who've tried it, who report the development experience is the same whether you develop VWG DHTML or Silverlight applications: MVP Jonathan Goodyear in his article, Simplicity at last, MVP Rick Strahl in his article, Visual WebGui and a LINQ to SQL quirk, SAP on their experience of developing a VWG application see the TV interview or read SAP's test case and Joel Hulen in a description of his development experience: "in few weeks I was able to build an OWA application"
Client Remains Thin Regardless of Application Size, Giving Desktop-like Performance
VWG automatically downloads a small kernel of 250K into the browser when the VWG application (DHTML or Silverlight) is first approached (non exe kernel), and that's it! The client remains thin with no data or logic. A VWG pipeline, optimized for standard HTTP, takes care of the server-client communication, optimizing it to a degree not previously experienced on the Web. An average round trip is made up of less than 1K of Meta data. Moreover, not every user interaction causes a round trip - there is an algorithm that handles user interaction requesting server updates only on critical user interaction. This protocol is the reason that the user experience resembles that of a desktop. It lends itself to Silverlight optimization in such a way that it actually enhances the performance of Silverlight applications when they run on top of VWG. Read more about VWG optimization and performance.
Eliminating the Second Biggest Setback for Web LOB Applications – Security
Analysis indicates that the second biggest concern of AJAX, and now Silverlight, for the enterprise is security. They are both deemed as insecure. VWG doesn’t open services, nor does it transfer data or logic to the client. A VWG application uses one pipeline with only Meta data flowing back and forth which makes interception impossible, and that single pipeline can be further secured using standard ASP.NET security, WCF. This level of built-in security is unprecedented on the internet. It meets the strictest US army security requirements and can therefore be used for deploying sensitive enterprise systems, such as CRM and ERP, on the web. This architecture lends itself again toSilverlight making it secure for LOB applications.
Silverlight or DHTML: A Safety Net for non-Silverlight Users
Many development shops are still sitting on the fence to see where Silverlight is going. Many say that if they had a default optionfor users who still haven't installed the Silverlight plug-in they would jump into Silverlight without hesitation. VWG allows for single development and dual deployment to either HTML or Silverlight. This lets developers cater for all their users whether they have installed Silverlight or not. Both will be able to access the application, with the Silverlight users enjoying a richer GUI.
Scalability up to Web Farms
VWG is fully scalable - at least as much as ASP.NET, which it uses as its underlying technology - as proved in real-world tests. For large enterprises and high volume traffic, such as that seen in typical high traffic B2C applications, VWG provides an enterprise server that scales over web farms and gives redundancy protection. This allows FaceBook-like applications to be built with VWG and now with Silverlight as the presentation layer. Read more...
ROI that Outrivals Citrix without Citrix's Limitations
VWG provides for RAD development of AJAX / Silverlight applications. As such the outcome is a fully enabled Silverlight or DHTML application. Due to the RAD nature of its development process, VWG can provide the same ROI as Citrix but without the limitations. In this respect, VWG is big news for those seeking to port applications to the Web with minimum expenses. See the article comparing VWG and Citrix in terms of use cases, performance, security and ROI. It gives the developer RAD capabilities, without limiting any of the options for extending or customizing and provides a smooth migration path for web and Windows forms developers. Developers, read more.
Coming Soon: Utilities for Migrating from VB6 and WinForms to VWG (Silverlight and DHTML), Real-time Messaging and Mash-up Integration
VWG will soon be shipping new servers and utilities that will give VWG an even better ROI.
Even now, pure WinForms applications can be migrated to VWG just by changing namespaces, something that is already widely used by VWG community members. It will soon be made simpler still with the automation of such migrations. There are Microsoft tools available to migrate from VB6 to WinForms and therefore VWG can be used for fast and rapid migration to cutting-edge Silverlight technology. The result is a complete flattening of the learning curve.
Mash-up capabilities are inherent in VWG's architecture, desktop or client-side alike. VWG will shortly introduce a server and utility that will allow rapid mash-up for application integration. Visual WebGUI can be used to present and mash up cross platform applications with VWG as the central application or integrated into other applications.
Real-time messaging will allow real-time presentation in the VWG application for cases such as the displaying of current share values.
All these will be enabled for VWG Silverlight applications as well, as capabilities inherent in the VWG platform.
For more information go to our Silverlight home page.