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April 29, 2007
I have seen the future of BI and it is…Desktop RIA
LinkedIns new Toolbar for Outlook gives us a glimpse into the future of BI. Whats so unique and exciting about this little desktop utility is it takes an application you already use and adds some very useful information without any additional effort.
A few days ago, I received an unsolicited email that normally I would force myself to read perchance that its from someone I know or a referral , in which case I make it a point to respond even if the email is a blatant sales attempt.
The LinkedIn integrated window (which comes back instantaneously) told me that the email is from someone whos job is lead generation (so it wasnt specifically addressed to me), second the person is 3 degrees away from anyone I know and as an aside, the person is actually in LA even though his signature read PA.
Whats exciting about this utility is that it marries a desktop application (Outlook) with a web service (LinkedIn Website) and in the process eliminates any disconnects that current desktop-only and web-only applications tend to have.
In order for Business Intelligence to undergo a similar revolution in usability and productivity, two things have to happen:
- Databases need to become more web friendly (Michael Franklins presentation which touches on DataSpaces)
- A desktop Rich Internet Application platform (such as Adobes Apollo) is needed to truly bridge the gap between the web and the desktop
This is how an Adobe blog describes desktop RIA
Apollo enables people to more easily maintain a connection with information in their web applications. Just like a desktop app, Apollo applications have an icon on the desktop, in the Windows start menu, or in the OS X dock. Also, when you’re running a web application today, it’s a separate world from your computer. You can’t easily integrate local data with your web app. For example, you can’t just drag and drop your local contacts onto a web-based mapping application to get directions to your friend’s house. With Apollo applications you will be able to this kind of integration as it bridges the chasm between your computer and the Internet.
Adobes commitment to desktop RIA will make #2 into reality in the very near future. #1 is going to be much harder. The folks that you would expect to be innovating in these areas are still obsessing over spindle speeds and cpu cycles.
Posted by Arshak Navruzyan at April 29, 2007 2:07 AM
