Logic Spectrum is ready and up to speed on how to build the next generation of “smart” business applications.

How can you build solutions that have rich user experience interfaces that take advantage of the computing power of a desktop but at the same time are easily deployed and configured? At first, some of this might sound like a pipe dream, however, there is an answer and that answer has emerged under the industry accepted name Smart Client.

Logic Spectrum recognizes the business need and the tremendous value for the money that comes from developing Smart Client solutions. As a result, in the last year or so, we have invested significant time and resources in exploring and familiarizing ourselves with frameworks that specialize in Smart Client development.

In our research, we identified several business scenarios where application responsiveness and rich user-experience are the most important factors in how productive a user is. Here is a brief list:

• Basic online transaction processing front-ends, with heavy data entry, such as stock distribution centers
• Rich-client portals to backend services, such as bank teller applications
• UI-intensive standalone applications, such as the ones used by stock traders and call center staff

We also compiled a brief list of high-level functional requirements:

• Extensibility - solution components have to be loosely-coupled. The solution had to be comprised of independent units of functionality (modules) that were unaware of each other. Also, the solution had to allow for a broad range of data sources that could be easily changed or added. Solution had to pull and facilitate communication between many isolated island of data and functionality.

• Security – one of the core requirements was that the solution would have clean and robust security service that would not be mixed with business logic and could be easily reused in different types of applications.

• Scalability and Availability – the solution had to use internet-based protocols for data exchange, had to scale in such a way so that central server resources are minimized without affecting application efficiency. The solution had to support work in disconnected mode as well.

• Maintenance and Deployment – the solution had to support over-the-internet deployment and updates without the user having to do anything.

• Standard Compliance – The solution needed to support integration with other systems and well-known applications, such as Microsoft Office products.

The smart client technology of choice for use is the Composite UI Application Block (CAB). CAB was designed and developed by Microsoft’s Patterns and Practices Team to provide a reusable framework that allows the rapid development of Smart Client user interfaces based on well known design patterns. Our research team listed the points below as being key points in the final decision to go with CAB.

CAB Architecture and Infrastructure:

• Service-Oriented Architecture – CAB is designed with SOA in mind. Any modern business software solution build with CAB recognizes that building services and encapsulating them is essential when it comes to maximizing reusability and minimizing maintenance. By leveraging .NET’s Object Builder and the principle of Dependency Injection, CAB allows for the development of loosely-coupled and abstracted data and infrastructure services.

• Module/Plug-In Architecture – Modules/Plug-Ins are the main building blocks of a Smart Client solution developed with CAB. They present independent libraries that encapsulate use-case scenarios for the application and are used to organize functionality in categories within a larger solution.

• MVC (Model-View-Controller) pattern – CAB natively supports the implementation of the MVC pattern through Dependency Injection. This pattern is widely known throughout the software industry. It aims at separating business logic from user interface, thus making each piece easier to maintain and test.

• .NET Framework Support – Because CAB is build on top of the powerful .NET Framework, it provides out-of-the-box support for some of the main principles used in CAB. Modules are each separated into DLLs, SOA can be supported through I wide range of options from direct database access to Web Services over the wire. User-rich experience, on the other hand, can be effortlessly created by using already well-known components contained in Windows Forms.NET.

• Device Independent – By leveraging the Compact .NET Framework, CAB can be used to build Smart Client solutions for Pocket PCs and Smartphone devices, giving the user ultimately flexibility and developers - maximum code reuse.

• MS Office Integration – CAB Smart Clients can be easily integrated into Outlook, InfoPath and many other MS Office products, thus enabling the user to leverage powerful and familiar UI.

True to our nature, Logic Spectrum stays at the forefront of desktop development by leveraging the power of the Composite UI Application Block to build a new generation of Smart Client applications. We are excited and look forward to using CAB in many of our near-future projects.