ASP.NET Controls and Components

ASP.NET is a Microsoft framework for web-based applications. There are many software developers who are using this platform for their web apps. There are also many who are making good use of third party components for their applications.

In an effort to help their development and implementation along, they are using third party .NET components to help speed up their process. There are many benefits to using these component vendors to help build your application.

There are many challenges to working with these vendors as well. I will offer some tips on making sure that you find a partner in your software development and not a hindrance.

The ASP.NET framework was developed by Microsoft for web-based applications.  Although they created the framework, they have not developed a robust set of components for it.  They have left this up to the vendors.

Then they came out with ASP.NET MVC which is the next generation of this platform.  They have come out with MVC 2 and 3 as well.  Look for companies that can support these two platforms with their components.

There are many benefits to using third party ASP.NET components and controls. The most obvious one is that it can potentially save a ton of development time. You can implement applications a lot faster and you can save a lot of resources from your developers.

For example, if you need a function to export data out into a pre-formated PDF report, all you would need to do is get an ASP.NET PDF reporting component. Just think about how much time you could save not having to build it from scratch.

The other great thing is that you don't have to labor over things like user interface components. These are things that can't just be drummed up like in the back end. Thought has to go into usability, look and feel and other factors that you may not want to spend hours debating with your group. Third party controls help you speed this part of your development up.

Also, third party controls can also help you keep the same user interface features across multiple applications. You may have one group developing a WPF datagrid in an application for human resources and a different team on accounting. If you use the same component vendor, the user interface will look and feel the same on the most part. It will at least be closer than if each team developed them from scratch.

When you are looking for a components provider, find one with great technical support and customer service.  Find out what other's are saying about the support they have received from these companies.

Remember, when you are building an application with third party controls, you are partnering with them to get your project implemented.  Components can be super buggy, which means you need to have a partner that will be quick to provide the support you need.