Early mobile business applications utilized a “fat client” architecture, i.e. they performed most or all of the processing on the mobile device, with little or none on the server, and were written using conventional languages. These applications did not need a connection and provided a robust user experience, but their disadvantages included high deployment and maintenance costs resulting in making them very difficult to nimbly react to our modern rapidly changing business environment. There were also more moving parts and security considerations on the server, resulting in additional costs and complexity.

Thin client mobile applications were developed to solve these problems. Little or nothing is run or stored locally. All data and programs reside on the server. Deployment and maintenance costs are reduced, but significant new problems were introduced. These included loss of functionality, the need to be continuously connected, and difficult experience for the end user.

Jargon Software’s approach leverages the best of both worlds. Our mobile applications incorporate a “rich mobile client” and Internet architecture making possible mobile applications with a robust user experience that are also far easier to create, modify, extend and deploy, thereby enhancing and extending the life of existing back-office enterprise applications. Jargon’s approach delivers cost effective mobile solutions that operate when connected or disconnected, use fewer moving parts, fewer server side security considerations and open standards.