Skip to main content

What is Here™ Core?

Here™ Core (formerly OpenFin) is a secure, powerful framework that enables web apps to be deployed as first-class citizens of a modern desktop. This allows web applications to integrate seamlessly with native (e.g., Excel) applications. The framework also provides out-of-the-box UI components to make building a platform as fast as possible. It offers advanced interoperability and layout flexibility within a secure environment.

Here™ Core is built to run on desktop computers; the Here™ Core Web (formerly OpenFin Anywhere) package provides a subset of functionality, meaning that content delivered on the desktop can also be provided in a regular web browser such as Chrome, Safari, or Edge.

Here™ Core APIs (formerly OpenFin Container APIs) and Here™ Core UI APIs (formerly OpenFin Workspace APIs) are written in JavaScript/TypeScript, and Here™ Core UI (formerly OpenFin Workspace) is entirely agnostic to the frontend frameworks used to deliver your content. Developers are free to build their apps using React, Vue, Angular, or any framework they choose. We have pre-built integrations for Bloomberg, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Excel, Salesforce, and ServiceNow. We've also built adapters for Java, .NET, and C++ so all your desktop applications can work together with Here™ Core.

Here™ Core UI Components​

Here Core UI Example

Browser​

The Browser component provides a powerful windowing scaffold for your apps. You can have multiple Browser windows. Each Browser window can contain multiple views organized into pages (tabs of views) that you can rearrange into complex layouts with minimal effort. You can move views and/or pages within a window or between windows. The below image shows three possible configurations.

Here Core UI Diagram

Here™ Core gives you access to your apps as if you accessed them via your desktop or within a web browser. Each window also includes "window dressing", such as a quick action bar in the window header, an icon tray in the title bar, a download shelf, a global menu, as well as menus at the window and view/page levels.

The Browser component is highly customizable. Pages with multiple views are organized into layouts. Views and pages can be moved between windows. You can save your entire set of windows, including all their pages and views, as workspaces. Users can then close and reopen, knowing that their setup is persisted.

Home​

The Home component provides a text box interface for searching, issuing commands, and launching apps or content. You can also define custom commands (hotkeys) and customize results, including the ability to provide rich content and multiple actions for each search result. It streamlines the search experience across different apps, data sources, and AI chat bots.

Notification Center​

The Notification Center component enables you to stay up to date with the latest information and changes in your Here™ Core apps (formerly OpenFin apps) via desktop alerts from a central location. Notifications can be simple textual alerts, rich forms, or live updating content. Users can complete their workflows directly from a notification without returning to an application. When you interact with a notification, the app that generated it changes state in accordance with your updates.

Dock​

The Dock component enables you to launch other Here™ Core UI Components, have single-click access to your most valuable apps/actions, or switch workspaces with your mouse or track pad. By default, Dock contains buttons for Home, Storefront, and Notifications. It also includes either an icon or dropdown list with the currently selected workspace and any other workspaces that are part of the workspace platform.

Storefront​

The Storefront component enables you to use our Storefront API to register your own store and populate it with your custom content. You can provide users with the ability to peruse and select apps and content to use within your platform, similar to services for mobile phone apps or extensions to complex software.

Here™ Core Container​

The Here™ Core Container (formerly OpenFin Container) provides lower-level APIs to support Here™ apps (formerly OpenFin apps) and the Here™ Core UI Components, especially interoperability and windowing. You’ll find an extensive set of APIs covering windowing, interoperability, logging, and more in our mature capabilities found in the Here™ Core Container.

Here™ apps can use interoperability APIs to send and receive data with other apps; those messages are mediated by a Here™ Core UI platform or your own custom-built interoperability broker. We support the FDC3 standard for financial applications, so FDC3-compliant apps work seamlessly. You can also use the Here™ Interop API (formerly OpenFin Interop API) for more full-featured interoperability.

Create a Proof of Concept​

For additional information, take a look at the following resources:

When you’re ready to get started, see Built on OpenFin, our GitHub repository of sample code.

Table of Contents