When considering cross-platform tools, you need to consider development platforms vs. deployment platforms. Once an application exists, you can deploy it to other platforms that the cross-platform tool supports. However, changes to and debugging of an application must occur on the originating platform. Room to Grow Scalability refers to a tool's ability to support a growing number of clients. Applications built with the tool should handle additional clients without a significant impact on performance or stability.
Scalability is also a function of how efficiently the client uses the database server.
These tools can off-load some of the application processing to a standalone application server. In addition, an application server is able to funnel database requests, thus placing a lighter per-user load on the database server. For instance, many tools support MAPI, which makes an application message-enabled. Other Guidelines Other features you should examine are the per-seat cost of the tool per developer, support costs, training, available developer talent, and the frequency of upgrades. Low prices don't always mean you save money.