Next Generation Application Integration: From Simple Information to Web Services

Where's the Fit?

So, if Web services are coming, and application integration needs this mechanism to add even more value to the enterprise or trading community, how do Web services fit with “traditional” approaches to application integration? The answer has many parts, including:

• Requirement patterns.

• Solution patterns.

• Changing enabling technology.

The fact of the matter is that many inter- and intraenterprise problem domains don't need service-level access to applications; information exchange is good enough, if not desirable. Moreover, most organizations don't have application integration strategies. These organizations need to get their own houses under control first, determine their integration requirements, create a plan, and then select ...