A recent article in InformationWeek discusses the latest evolution of Software As A Service (SAAS). RightNow Technologies used to deliver CRM that required nothing more than a browser… last week they introduced a new version that includes a 15-Mbyte “smart client”. RightNow CEO Greg Gianforte says, “Ajax and Web 2.0 are great technologies for casual use, but for mission critical you need the capabilities of a desktop app.”
This is further support to my earlier blog posting about the RIA (Rich Internet Application) returning to “client/server” where the desktop portion is ‘thin-er’ … thin enough for easy install & configuration, but thick enough to have a very responsive interface.
The debate continues…