Multi View

MultiView user interaction is the norm when it comes to desktop-style rich applications. Unfortunately, the browser-based applications are inherently restricted to a page-by-page interface. Tomorrow's solutions, which will bring together the best of browsers and desktop, will provide desktop-style multiview interaction while keeping the thinness of browser-like platform.

Today's browser-environments force an application (e.g., applet) to communicate with one source (e.g., data-source) at a time. In a true connected world, end users will benefit enormously if they can avail themselves of MultiSource information (i.e., obtained from multiple sources). For example, a portfolio management application can obtain data from a stock-market as well as industry analysts and/or government projections, thus allowing end users to make far better informed decisions.

Multicomputation refers to utilization of computation power where it matters most. Given the power of new client platforms (>3GHz, >0.5G memory, Gigabit bandwidth), many compute intense application can very well use that power for number crunching while keeping the servers busy with centralized operations.

MultiPlatform (i.e., OS-independent) solutions will be a must in the new global economy. OS-specific solutions are inherently constrained only for that particular OS whereas the well-connected global economy will demand a OS-neutral, or frictionless, solutions.

Multi Direction Communication refers to communication not only with webservices but also peer-to-peer. New solutions, such as instant messaging, need simultaneous seamless connectivity to server-based data as well as data on the edge and individuals

Centrally managed code refers to hosting a application on a server and then streaming it to the clients as needed. This provides for best of both worlds - a thin client platform yet rich executional applications.

Monitoring and measurement are essential to address security concerns. Security of code and data as well as the individuals who access these is critical. While single-signon kind of capabilities are critically important, they do not suffice in the extended enterprise. New industry-wide initiatives such as Liberty Alliance are essential and tomorrow's applications and solutions must integrate those also.

New solutions may need to process documents that have been created using older or other proprietary tools. In such cases, the client application must be able to either mortise with (build bridges to) those tools or read those documents directly. Such seamless extensibility to other applications and/or documents is essential for truly rich client applications. Other types of bridges are also conceivable, for example, a bridge to a micro-recorder device connected to the local computer or interface to Autocad-style object models so that they can be rendered in 3-D on the client device.

With ubiquitous access to broadband Internet, we will not have to carry our own computing device everywhere. With a application footprint on a USB stick, we will be able to connect it to any computing device, use the application and, when done, detach it and walk away. This is similar to carrying a DVD, put it in any DVD player, enjoy the performance and when done, remove it and walk away.

When you have a single application that runs exactly the same on any type of personal computer, you need only one set of training material, one sequence of maintenance.