Web services will become mainstream by next year: Giga

BANGALORE: A research by Giga Information Group Inc. reveals that web

services technology and service-oriented architectures, has moved from the early

adopter phase, will shift to a more mainstream phase by late 2002 or early 2003.

"But unlike the heady days of the past, the business will no longer write a

blank check for this innovation," stated the release.






Growth to maturity of these critical emerging platform technologies depends on
the development of a clear business case. "Because of the promise of the

technology and the speed of its development, companies that see a potential

business case for Web Services should already be experimenting with Web Services

to build essential knowledge, and prepare a position against potential

competitors, " said Giga Vice President Mike Gilpin.






Informal audience polling results from Giga’s 2001 Emerging Technology Scene (ETS)
conference held in December 2001 revealed the focus of early Web Services

projects is primarily internal, with a preponderance of application integration

uses over new application development. Early business-to-business (B2B) use is

arising primarily from potential service providers rather than service

consumers, although concerns about limitations of the technology in areas such

as security appear to be driving most early efforts to focus on usage among

known and trusted trading partners.






According to Gilpin’s research, Java 2, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) solutions
are perceived as the most important Web Services platforms. Application

development tool vendors are seen as an important but secondary source for Web

Services technology, whereas "pure play" startups focused exclusively

on Web Services have, so far, failed to register a significant impression.

More in-depth exploration of the role of Web Services and service-oriented

architectures will be presented during the coming months at Giga’s Application

Platform and Development Strategies conferences, being held in London, England

on February 12-13 and in Amelia Island, Florida, US on March 11-13.

The conference will help IT professionals understand the most effective

strategies for application architecture, platform selection, development and

integration tools, processes and methods, that will enable agility in

architecture, development, and integration, but in a cost-effective manner.