Adobe takes data access technology open source; Will the enterprise bite?
BlazeDS connects data, which can be housed in the enterprise or pushed out, to Adobe Flex and AIR applications. Adobe says the data access technologies were previously available as part of Adobe LiveCycle Data Services ES. Now those technologies will be contributed to the third version of the Lesser General Public License. Adobe Labs has more details and the announcement. Techmeme also has a roundup.
Adobe is obviously trying to prod enterprises to use its software to develop more rich Internet applications (RIAs). Adobe says pushing data via RIAs could create better self-service, live help and performance monitoring applications. It's not a stretch to see a business intelligence type of dashboard delivered through an RIA in the future.
The company added in a statement that it will support BlazeDS via Adobe LiveCycle Data Services, Community Edition--a subscription service that supports BlazeDS, offers indemnity and developer tools.
The remaining question: Will Adobe's move enable enterprise RIAs? It's possible over time, but in my interactions I haven't heard much about RIAs from enterprise folks. In fact, these folks are still trying to wrap their heads around Web 2.0 and how it equates to Enterprise 2.0. BlazeDS could be a big part of that, but don't expect a groundswell right out of the gate.