Angel02
asked on
Web vs windows applications
We recently moved our business application from windows to web (.NET, jquery, javascript). The transition was very difficult especially for the Sales Department who complained that the web application was too slow comparatively. The other issue with the web application was it would get stuck if the user was idle for more than 2 minutes until he refresh the screen. This issue was highly resolved after we moved from Chrome to Firefox.
The dilemma we are in right now is about some external apps that we need to migrate. The things that these apps do are pretty important like: Creating invoices, converting hold order to confirmed orders, price the products e.t.c.
These application are currently written in VB6 and can be run only on 2008 servers. We need to upgrade them.. For user satisfaction, I would really like to create them as windows application. But is it taking a step backward? Are there any advantages to web applications that I need to consider?
Can you please advise?
The dilemma we are in right now is about some external apps that we need to migrate. The things that these apps do are pretty important like: Creating invoices, converting hold order to confirmed orders, price the products e.t.c.
These application are currently written in VB6 and can be run only on 2008 servers. We need to upgrade them.. For user satisfaction, I would really like to create them as windows application. But is it taking a step backward? Are there any advantages to web applications that I need to consider?
Can you please advise?
I should've added that it is also possible, and common... to do both.
There are lots of apps that use a windows app as the front end, with web services providing data and functionality from the back end.
Depends on your preferences and circumstances however.
There are lots of apps that use a windows app as the front end, with web services providing data and functionality from the back end.
Depends on your preferences and circumstances however.
The primary consideration is developer competency.
There are pros + cons to either local Apps (running at the OS level) + Web Apps.
Normally a well tooled Web App will run faster, because the database + language files live together, if competent developers design the system.
That said, almost anyone can write an App to do something.
Very few people know enough to consider how the Web App will respond if 10,000 to100,000 people request a simultaneous action.
Your code speed will always relate to your developer competency.
There are pros + cons to either local Apps (running at the OS level) + Web Apps.
Normally a well tooled Web App will run faster, because the database + language files live together, if competent developers design the system.
That said, almost anyone can write an App to do something.
Very few people know enough to consider how the Web App will respond if 10,000 to100,000 people request a simultaneous action.
Your code speed will always relate to your developer competency.
I would address this problem statement: "...complained that the web application was too slow comparatively"
Ron is on target about why a web app can be better including developing an api where a native app uses a db in the cloud. By looking at what is causing the slow issue, you may be able to solve that, then move forward. You may want to ask a separate question here on help with that. There are a lot of factors that go into speeding things up from hosting, database structure and tuning, queries and as david mentioned coding. Typically it is the database structure, indexing and queries that make a difference. Something that is not best practice may not get noticed locally but in the cloud it does. Small modifications can make a big difference.
Ron is on target about why a web app can be better including developing an api where a native app uses a db in the cloud. By looking at what is causing the slow issue, you may be able to solve that, then move forward. You may want to ask a separate question here on help with that. There are a lot of factors that go into speeding things up from hosting, database structure and tuning, queries and as david mentioned coding. Typically it is the database structure, indexing and queries that make a difference. Something that is not best practice may not get noticed locally but in the cloud it does. Small modifications can make a big difference.
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There are many advantages to web based apps versus windows apps. Cross device / cross OS compatibility, no need to install the software or manage updates, centralized code, scalability, and the ability to migrate to cloud.
I've developed a couple CRM's years ago...that were Windows based apps, and both times I ended up having to convert them to web based for the reasons above.