Needed: Platforms that support Rich Internet Applications + SOA

We've been watching the Web 2.0 and SOA worlds grow increasingly closer together, and, more than anywhere else, the point where they meet is in front end applications, such as mashups and Rich Internet Applications (RIAs).

In a new article, Nolan Wright puts forth the formula for making this all happen: RIA+SOA=Convergence. However, there aren't a lot of solutions that tie RIA and SOA together yet. As Nolan observes: "There has been a lot of buzz around rich Web 2.0 applications, but they will not become mainstream until the next generation of web platforms emerge - fully integrated platforms that enable RIA + SOA."

Why is it important to have RIA + SOA platforms? Aren't developers building and deploying RIAs and SOA-based services all over the place with the tools they have? Nolan says things aren't so clear-cut:

"Currently, in the standards-based world of HTML, CSS and Javascript, RIA developers have to assemble multiple third-party libraries and frameworks in order to build a rich user interface. This 'a la carte' approach to building RIAs places an unnecessary burden on the developer. Instead of focusing on building applications, the developer must spend time finding, integrating, and versioning the various pieces of their RIA development platform. The same holds true on the SOA side; developers are left to figure out how to create services and how to integrate them with their RIA front-ends."

Nolan goes on to provide examples in his article of the composition and capabilities an RIA + SOA platform should support. Nolan's company offers such a platform, which, of course, was the catalyst for his article. But the integration of RIAs and front-end mashups with enterprise services on the back end is a phenomena that is quickly becoming a standard part of SOA.