Forge Better, Faster, Stronger: Acision Introduces forgeAS Providing Developers Greater Control and Flexibility to Build Advanced Features Into Their Apps and Services

Wednesday 22 July 2015 11:01
Extension to the forge SDK allows richer possibilities with the ability to create middleware, use server-side logic and orchestrate custom communication experiences

Acision, a global leader in secure, mobile engagement services and innovator in WebRTC technology, today announces the latest extension of the award-winning forge SDK , forgeAS (forge Application Server). With forgeAS, developers can customise and leverage server-side logic to orchestrate transactions and communications across a network of peers and their own middleware integration, providing even greater flexibility in the way these services can be deployed, operated and monitored. With forgeAS, developers have full control of their service.

As part of the forge by Acision portfolio, the forge SDK provides developers with the ability to integrate a variety of the richest real-time communication capabilities into any app, service or website, including presence, video/audio calling, IP messaging/chat, text messaging, content sharing and much more, which are conveniently accessible via any device. This allows users, either consumer, customers or employees, to interact in different ways, boosting adoption and usage of applications and services. forgeAS is an application server framework built to further extend and improve these interaction capabilities, by providing greater interoperability, scalability, security and flexibility to the forge platform.

Enabling developers to implement their own middleware, business logic and algorithms puts them firmly in the driving seat; by leveraging forgeAS alongside the forge SDK, developers can implement the presence, call, and message management logic they require including integrating with third party systems such as their own databases and back end systems. For example, with forgeAS, a call centre can customise call and messaging queuing and routing to the next most qualified agent on any device they are currently using. Alternatively, another app may need to interact with a billing API to charge for a premium video chat service. With forgeAS, this is now made possible.

"Our goal is to help developers innovate quickly and continually improve their services with the integration of new, rich and relevant communication features. With forgeAS, we are unlocking restrictions that may have been there before by providing greater control and flexibility, enabling the creation of smarter and richer real-time custom communication experiences." commented Eric Bilange, EVP and Head of Rich Engagement Services at Acision.

Additional control can be gained through the enablement of server-side integration. Rather than have all clients connect independently to a legacy system such as a database or app server, users can introduce a forgeAS implementation that delivers personalised data to peers through a seamless connection. For example, a forgeAS app can connect to a service such as Salesforce, which could be used to stream information with a participant such as an instructional video.

"This week at our forge Boot Camp at DevCon5 in New York, we previewed how developers can embrace the IoT (Internet of Things) by using forgeAS as a gateway to securely connect to any IP object such as a camera or drone and control it remotely! forgeAS opens up a new world of possibilities and your imagination really is the limit," said Bilange.

Dean Bubley, Director of Disruptive Analysis said: "One of the most promising areas for WebRTC is the integration of communications functions directly into business applications and workflows. The true value uplift comes from additional capabilities - integrating with other IT systems or devices, or working with the audio and video streams in real-time. Platforms enabling 'contextual communications' features such as recording, speech analytics, emotion-recognition, M2M integration and so on will become highly valuable."

The forgeAS can be hosted in a cloud, on premise or by Acision, to suit different needs, such as scalability or more stringent security requirements. Offline data (such as recorded sessions), for example, can be stored in a company's datacentre to meet regulatory requirements, particularly valid for healthcare or financial app.

Like the forge SDK, forgeAS has been designed with simplicity and flexibility in mind. All that's needed is to install Node.js, and a forgeAS API key obtainable at http://forge.acision.com . Learn more about forge and sign up for a free account today!

About Acision

Acision connects the world by powering relevant, seamless mobile engagement services that interoperate across IP platforms and enrich the user experience creating value and new communication opportunities for carriers, enterprises and consumers across the world.

For more information, visit Acision at http://www.acision.com

Source: Acision