Client and Server Ajax/Python project - Experts needed

Webserver that uses AJAX to communicate with up to 20 handheld touchscreen devices. Webserver must provide fast responses to user input and then update handheld(s). Webserver controls different back-end devices (5 to 10) via RS232 or Ethernet using either an ASCII, binary or XML command set (each device is different). ## Deliverables This project has 2 or possibly 3 main components: 1. Webserver that uses AJAX to communicate with up to 20 handheld touchscreen devices these devices are used as remote controllers over WiFi. These handheld devices communicate to a very fast webserver (Apache but without CGI code) that runs on Windows XP or possibly Linux. Ajax is used to provide a very simple and attractive GUI to the handheld. The user touches soft buttons (touch screen) that then result in events on the server. Pushing buttons on screen will cause the GUI on the handheld to be updated by the webserver (very fast with no user perceived lag time) and will also result in events that occur on the server side. See below. 2 The server contains a small fast database that has persistent storage for each of the distributed remote hand held devices (up to 20 connected at one time to the server). 3. Upon receiving events from the hand held device the server will take actions that are pre-programmed. These actions may result in talking to one or more devices over an Ethernet connection (using TCP/IP) or over one or more serial ports. It is likely that communications to the serial ports will occur over Ethernet to a serial port server (such as Lantronix makes). 4. Some communications (depends on the device being controlled) will have an ASCII set of commands/responses, some devices will have a binary set of commands while others may use xml. 5. The system needs to be very well designed and easily extensible. New devices with new command sets should be easily added and new actions/events easily added to the system. 6. It should also be easy to add new actions and 'pages' to the hand-held device by updating the server. A "plugin" driver model should be used for the design. 7. I would expect the server side that talks to the Ethernet/serial devices (not the hand held devices) to use Python or possibly Lua. Given the complexity of this system, I would recommend two major phases, first a design phase and then an implementation phase. Before the design can be done I would write a complete specification. 1) Detailed design and specification for the server modules (phase 1). 2) Complete and fully-functional working program(s) in executable form as well as complete source code of all work done. 3) Deliverables must be in ready-to-run condition, as follows (depending on the nature of the deliverables): a) For web sites or other server-side deliverables intended to only ever exist in one place in the Buyer's environment--Deliverables must be installed by the Seller in ready-to-run condition in the Buyer's environment. b) For all others including desktop software or software the buyer intends to distribute: A software installation package that will install the software in ready-to-run condition on the platform(s) specified in this bid request. 3) All deliverables will be considered "work made for hire" under U.S. Copyright law. Buyer will receive exclusive and complete copyrights to all work purchased. (No GPL, GNU, 3rd party components, etc. unless all copyright ramifications are explained AND AGREED TO by the buyer on the site per the coder's Seller Legal Agreement). ## Platform Most likely Windows XP, Apache, AJAX and Python