Rich for the not.

[SonixLLC]

I have a simple question. I hear 'rich' all the time and it is getting me. I am
a small business owner who just wants to be able to use online ordering, It
would involve a simple UI that can remember information the user entered in the
past.. This is very like Yahoo's email application when entering an address in
the To: field and it giving you a string .

Please the quick and simple answer will do... Ajax whatever is an option, but
is costly.
:embarrassment;

[ntsiii]

It sounds like your focus should be on the back-end business logic tier.

Flex is still a great way to create the UI. If it does not need to be fancy,
then Flex's strength can give you a simple UI that will work dependably on all
browsers and give it to you fast (cheap).

But Flex won't help any with the commerce side. If you have limited resources
(monetary, technical, time), you might consider an off-the-shelf eCommerce
solution. Such a solution would not be sexy, but the "rich" in RIA is for
those for whom a "simple UI" is no longer sufficient. Think of your business
first.

Tracy

[SonixLLC]

Sorry to bring this one from the dead, but I have created a simple Flex client
app that has most of the information I want and I think will add value for my
customers. It just allows a user to create(form) and track deliveries(data
grid) with email update alerts from contacts lists.

If I am understand things I now need a Web Service to supply the data the
client consumes and don't really need the Ajax, just load on call (click or at
load).

It would involve a DB with business logic(not sure yet how involved). But I
think I will outsource it. If I demonstrate what I want done to a developer
will he/she be able to come up with an estimate?

[ntsiii]

I strongly advise HTTPService. Web services have a significant complexity and
subsequent performance degredation in order to support consumption by third
parties (uddi, etc).

If you have control over both the client and the server, and do not plan on
publishing your server-side functionality to external users, Use HTTPService.
It is much simpler to code and maintain, and is a bit faster than a web service.

If you can clearly define your requirements, I will look at quoting the
project for you. Contact me off-list if you wish.

Tracy