Pigs And Lipstick

XML and related Web services technologies already are proliferating the enterprise as IT organizations turn to SOAP and WSDL as alternatives for low-cost, lightweight integration projects. And that's only the beginning: A new wave of EAI products that leverage Web services is upon us, and major applications built on a Web services foundation are due in the second half of this year. These tools and applications should engender a wave of client, server and network equipment upgrades across the enterprise beginning late this year.

Given that scenario and the attractive financing terms available through vendors and distributors, now is a good time for solution providers to start talking to their customers about future-proofing their IT infrastructures.

Many of the IT executives that are enthusiastic about Web services and XML as a lingua franca for all of their software ills haven't completely understood the implications that these applications will have on their systems. Applications making use of Web services are particularly sensitive to latency, which means network performance is of paramount importance. Fortunately, a number of startup companies such as Terrari, Data Power and Forum Systems have begun delivering products that help accelerate and secure Web services.

IDC predicts that the professional services market around Web services will grow to $7.1 billion by 2006. The opportunity to provide the hardware and network support services necessary to facilitate the adoption of XML and Web services is also immense. So the most important thing to remember is that the closest thing to wings that will make the XML pig ultimately fly is the expertise of the local solution provider.

What's your Web services game plan? I can be reached at (516) 562-7477 or via e-mail at [email protected].