Web Services Solutions: Servers, Frameworks and IDEs

Last month, we presented the value chain of Web Services in order to shed some light on the different technical levels and roles of the players in this market. (Read our article on Web Services Solutions: Servers, Frameworks and IDEs).

TechMetrix's view was that adoption of Web Services is going to be quick. However, technologies and enterprises are certainly not yet mature enough to extensively use Web Services in their day-to-day business with clients and partners.

The first practical application of Web Services has to be considered within the enterprise. For example, using Web Service technologies to enhance your intranet may be a great opportunity.

Most companies already have numerous intranet applications, often built with different technologies. When building a corporate intranet, integrating existing applications is always challenging. And this is where Web Services can help, because some of the technical issues (such as security) are easier to deal with when you are inside the corporate network.

So that's where we recommend you start, for two reasons:

• First, you'll see a quick return on investment for your intranet portal, leveraging existing applications
• Second, you'll be preparing to adopt Web Services for day-to-day business with your clients/partners.

In our quick poll for the month of June, we asked: "Is your company using or building Web Services?":

(NB: this is an open Web poll with no sampling of the respondents)

Out of the 81 respondents - which is low compared to previous polls - 38% have started projects and 25% are currently testing and prototyping. It appears that those familiar with and concerned about Web Services were most likely to cast their vote.

Based on these results, we have decided to launch a research survey about Web Service adoption and Technology choices. It takes less then 10 minutes and respondents will get the results and analysis for free, so click here to take the survey.

Building and Consuming Web Services: what are the solutions?

In order to help you figure out what type of solutions you could use and what products you can buy to implement Web Services, TechMetrix Research is launching its "Web Services Servers and Tools Directory," the first resource referencing key solutions with actionable information.

The "Web Services Servers and Tools Directory" lists solutions we have identified as potentially interesting for building and using Web Services. We provide technical information (technology base and platforms), basic pricing (when available from vendor) and comments, and classify solutions into three categories:

• Server
• Framework
• IDE (Integrated Development Environment)

Server
We classify as Server any solution that provides all the features needed to call, create and host Web Services. It should include libraries to call Web Services using WSDL and also low-level programming (allowing manual creation of SOAP envelopes). It should also include features to host Web Services: SOAP/HTTP (or any additional transport protocol) listener. A Server has to be a complete solution that doesn't require any additional components.

Framework
We use Framework to refer to solutions that provide features for calling and creating Web Services. A Framework usually requires a server infrastructure (typically an application server) to be able to deliver Web Services. A Framework is made of a set of libraries or components that speeds up the process of building/calling Web Services.

IDE (Integrated Development Environment)
IDE is used for solutions that provide tools for the developer to call and create Web Services. An IDE typically provides wizards to generate code, tools for WSDL generation, service mapping to existing resources, debugging features. The main goals of an IDE are to improve productivity at the design and development stages.

The "Web Services Servers and Tools Directory"

TechMetrix has just launched this resource, like the popular Application Server Directory, and will regularly provide updates including product profiles and analyses. If you want to receive e-mail alerts when we update this page, make sure you check the "Web Services Directory" option on your member profile.

So now all you need to do now is check it out!

Visit the Web Services Servers and Tools Directory

TechMetrix Research is a technically focused analyst firm focused on e-business application development needs. Based in Boston, Mass., the firm publishes comparison reports and product reviews designed to aid enterprises with decision making and to keep pace with the fast-moving e-business market.

TechMetrix is a U.S.-based subsidiary of SQLI, a European company that offers on-site development services to international organizations. SQLI specializes in e-business project development.

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