Next Generation Application Integration: From Simple Information to Web Services

Integration Solutions

Now that we understand what XML is, what its value is, and how middleware and XML coexist, we can turn our attention to XML-enabled solutions that include the available technology and approaches. In doing so, let's return once again to our macro problem domains: intracompany application integration and B2B application integration.

XML plays a lesser role within the domain of intracompany application integration, but its role is becoming more important. This somewhat-convoluted observation is based on the fact that most systems within an enterprise come under central control. As a result, the integration solutions run deeper and may not benefit from converting information to XML for movement to other applications. Typically, ...