An RIA (Rich Internet Application) is a web based application that can be used in as many rich ways as a desktop application, except it is hosted on the Internet rather than the desktop or client machine. This is part of the paradigm shift of cloud computing, with rich content being delivered over the Web in ways that were not here to fore possible. Not surprisingly, a managed host is likely to offer rich internet applications to resolve client side issues that may not be resolved through the hardware or software that the client wants to retain inhouse. So databases and data storage are two examples of using this kind of technology.

Frequently, a software framework is needed to be installed on a client machine before rich internet applications can be accessed. Once that has occurred, all of the functionality of the application is available to the client machine. The ease with which the software framework can be installed should not make things overwhelming: It is usually just a case of installing a downloaded installer or kit that is a fraction of the size of the application itself. So even this can be done remotely. A managed host will have the capability to provide this installation, whether it is to be done via the Internet or not. The distributed function model is used by rich internet applications. This is part of the cloud computing paradigm and is at odds to a certain extent with the client server model. Unusually, rich internet applications are often more secure than their offline counterparts. This is because a provider of the software has the ability to apply patches and updates without much input from the client end: The technology can be enhanced at the remote side. There can also be limits set on the application’s ability to access the files on a client machine.