Web Apps Go Offline

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Irwin Lazar, Vice President & Service Director, Nemertes Research

March 6, 2008

1 Min Read
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While there's been much talk about Microsoft's expanded foray into SaaS this week, the SaaS market continues to be limited by one key factor - web-based apps require Internet connectivity to function.  This isn't a big deal for those of us working in office environments with always-on Internet connectivity.  But for the mobile professional with spotty WiFi or cellular coverage, disconnect can be non-productive.

Last week Adobe joined Google's "Gears" initiative in delivering AIR, a development environment enabling web-based applications to function even if there is no Internet connectivity.  Smaller companies such as Etelos offer a similar framework.  My guess is that providing off-line functionality to web apps eliminates the last major barrier to their adoption.  What's your take?

About the Author

Irwin Lazar

Vice President & Service Director, Nemertes Research

Irwin Lazar is the Vice President and Service Director at Nemertes Research, where he manages research operations, develops and manages research projects, conducts and analyzes primary research, and advises numerous enterprise and vendor clients. Irwin is responsible for benchmarking the adoption and use of emerging technologies in areas including VOIP, UC, video conferencing, social computing, collaboration, contact center and customer engagement.

A Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and sought-after speaker and author, Irwin is a blogger for No Jitter and frequent author for SearchUnifiedCommunications.com. He is a frequent resource for the business and trade press and is regular speaker at events such as Enterprise Connect and Interop. Irwin's earlier background was in IP network architecture, design and engineering.

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