Author: Yogi Schulz
Published 27
October 2000 in Computing Canada
For many organizations, re-deploying a successful internal application as an E-commerce application holds considerable appeal. The redeployment should be cheap and fast because little new code will be required. The redeployment should be low risk because the application is well understood and is already regarded as successful. The redeployment will squeeze more value from a previous application investment.
Unfortunately, this rosy assessment ignores a number of issues that preclude the successful deployment of an internal application as an e-commerce application. As painful as it sounds, you really do have to start over. You won't get there from here if you try to re-deploy an internal application to the web. Internal applications are just too different and unsuited. Let's consider the relevant issues in more depth.
For a typical internal application, the IT department can exert almost total control over the characteristics of the end-user experience. The behavior of an E -commerce application, as the end-user experiences it, is largely dependent on the brand of browser the end-user has installed and the variable quality of service that the Internet provides. The IT department can exert no control or influence over these factors. Can you see displaying a dialogue box that says: "Your ISP is delivering poor performance. Please change your ISP before returning to this application"?
This lack of control requires the e-commerce application developer to manage more state information for each end-user. It also requires the developer to code for many new situations such as loss of connection, browser version and multiple active browser tasks. These new demands make the internal application deficient as an e-commerce application.
Internal applications rarely include graphics on their screens. E-commerce applications are enhanced immeasurably through the judicious use of graphics. Adding graphics to an internal application either looks like the silly after-thought that it is or requires an expensive revamp of the layout of all the screens. You're better off to start over and develop a purpose-built e-commerce application.
Many internal applications are based on development technologies that are not capable of generating code for execution on the web. You're much better off to design and architect e-commerce applications with an eye to the characteristics of the web and using appropriate web-savvy tools.
E-commerce applications require features such as recording surfer movements within the web site, the ability to download files and e-mail support. These features are only rarely present on internal applications; making them unsuitable as e-commerce applications.
Creating a secure application environment within an organization is generally straightforward and well understood. Ensuring that an e-commerce application, which by definition is accessible from anywhere on the Internet, is secure, is a much more challenging task.
Securing an e-commerce application is achieved when at least SSL encryption is implemented, server and router logs are monitored daily and passwords are expired regularly.
Its inability to support the required security sophistication makes the internal application unsuitable as an e-commerce application.
Internal applications are generally accessed only from personal computers. E-commerce applications will also be accessed from personal digital assistants and cellular telephones in the very near future.
Because the demands of these new end-user access devices are not supportable by internal applications, they become unsuitable as e-commerce applications.
A well-architected internal application can have a positive impact on an organization and the market perception of its products or services. A successful e-commerce application can have a startling impact on the growth and market value of an organization.
This huge potential demands that an e-commerce application be developed to support multiple brands of browsers, multiple releases of each browser. Most e-commerce applications should also be written to deliver a successful interactive experience to end-users with only a dial-up modem at their disposal.
It's unlikely that an internal application can achieve this potential for success. Similarly, the potential for a huge success should make the investment in a purpose-built e-commerce application worthwhile.
Citrix is a strong and capable product. However, even it can't mask all the differences between internal applications and e-commerce applications. Using Citrix as a web deployment vehicle, without massive application changes, is unlikely to result in a successful e-commerce application.
Yogi Schulz
Corvelle Consulting
700, 205 - 5 Ave. S. W.
Calgary, Alberta
Canada T2P 2V7
Phone: 403 249-5255
E-mail: YogiSchulz@<remove>corvelle.com
Web: http://www.corvelle.com
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