'Ruling' the World of Web Services: Application Servers from Java Beans

摘要

The software giants are lining up for the next big move on the Internet. Those who were late to the game do not want to miss the opportunity to benefit from the Web's next "killer app". With technology valuations at historic lows, Web Services is the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. Whether its connecting a billion cell phones to the Web, or getting disparate applications to share data automatically, the stakes are higher than ever.Web Services are the next generation of B2B (Business to Business) application integration. It brings the unrestricted sharing of data and business processes among any connected applications and data sources, intra or inter-organization. B2B communication must leverage all existing legacy systems and bind them, within or between enterprises, to support any business requirements. If Company A has a sales order entry system that records sales, then Company B, a parts supplier, must have a parts system that's instandy integrated with Company A. Fundamentally, B2B application integration is about leveraging existing systems and databases by letting them communicate seamlessly in support of a business purpose. The ability of enterprises to share business information without regard for the integration challenges will provide organizations with a strategic capability not seen since the advent of the assembly line and interchangeable parts.