Check out http://swxformat.org/ for some pretty interesting info about the SWX native data format for Flash. I am dubious about all the different data format options that we have, but I also continue to be concerned about the support for remoting for the long haul. I love remoting, but SWX seems like it is a reasonable alternative that might have more longevity. It also has a SWX PHP implementation right off the bat, and the Cake Bakers have already made a CakePHP Implementation .