Niagara Java-based web client software, such as Niagara Web Launcher, offers an alternative to running the
Workbench in a web browser by providing an application which can be launched in a separate window by the web client. A significant
advantage that
Workbench launched by this method has over launching as a browser applet is that it overcomes typical compatibility problems with browsers'
Java plugins. For example, many late version browsers have disabled support for NPAPI which prevents the Java WbApplet from
running in a browser. So the importance of Java-based web client software is that it removes the need for the use of the Java
plug-in. However, it does not remove the need for a suitable Java Runtime Environment on the client’s PC.
NOTE: Oracle has announced the end-of-life of Java SE 8 (Standard Edition). As of January 2019, free public updates are no longer
available. Customers accessing
Niagara with the Java Applet/Web Start will be impacted by this change as they will no longer receive free security updates to their
Java installation from Oracle. Customers who have upgraded to full HTML5 versions for their browser front-end will not be
affected. For customers who use the Java VM and Java Web Start for their legacy systems a suitable alternative is available:
Niagara Web Launcher.