The paradigm shift to web applications has come with unexpected results and hidden risks because their architecture is very different.
If you draw a simple comparison between the architecture of native Windows applications and web applications, you’ll start to understand how they differ.
| Comparison of Enterprise Application Delivery Models | |
|---|---|
| Native Windows Applications | Web Applications |
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These applications are mature, with well-defined operations methodologies, and they function within a relatively tight range of API functions when dealing with the host OS. They are easy to package and deploy as a contained unit.
By their very nature these applications are open and dynamic. They are made of diverse and disparate building blocks, that can be assembled in nearly any order or pattern – almost like Legos – and while the APIs may be well defined, there are almost limitless ways in which they can be called or used for interaction. Additionally, instead of a host OS, web applications run in the browser which is designed to handle wide ranging tasks and deliver amazing experiences only limited by the developer’s imagination. And these experiences are delivered to the user’s desktop simultaneously.
The open, versatile, and dynamic architecture of web applications brings with it a set of application detection, compatibility, and security challenges that force you to manage web applications differently from native applications. Traditional IT operations management tools lack visibility into your browser and its associated components. Without browser management tools designed to navigate the complexities, interdependencies, and distributed nature of the modern (browser-based) enterprise, a critical blind spot is created. This blind spot blocks IT from performing their core function and exposes your organization to hidden risks, specifically security threats and wasted money.
