Application server technology will be key to the evolution of application architectures, according to a new report from respected independent research and consulting company, Ovum Ltd. The initial adoption of application servers will be driven by the "webification" of existing applications and will evolve into the development of platforms for integrating new and existing applications and systems. Ovum predicts that by 2004 the market for application servers will be worth nearly $17 billion. The report, Application Servers: Creating the Web-enabled Enterprise, provides in-depth analysis of application server technology, user and vendor strategies and offers advice to both users and vendors on how to approach this rapidly-growing market.
"Application server technology delivers a set of essential services for the development and deployment of distributed applications. This technology offers a compelling proposition for vendors and end-users alike," says Gary Barnett, lead analyst and co-author of Ovum`s new report.
Barnett continues, "Vendors can now implement an exit strategy from the tainted client-server market, while IT departments will again be able to centrally deploy, manage and control their software applications.. Additionally, the attractiveness of application server technology will soon make such products the deployment architecture of choice for IT users." Ovum`s report examines how the growth of the application server market, which has been spurred by organisations looking to integrate business-critical applications to the Web, will in turn support the development tool, middleware and EAI markets by helping to create integrated IT infrastructures.
Application servers will be used in three distinct roles:
in "webification" - building new web-friendly user interfaces for existing applications
in new Web development - as a platform for new business functionality
in construction of "integration hubs" - platforms for building any-to-any integration between existing and new applications and systems.
"Both suppliers and users must follow the evolution of the application server market closely, looking beyond the technology and considering the entire solution. For suppliers, the initial focus on web-enabled applications creates a strong business case for partnerships with third parties, particularly packaged applications suppliers," says Barnett.
However, as the market shifts to address the integration needs of an organisations IT infrastructure, we will see the convergence of application server technology with enterprise middleware and EAI software.
Ovum`s research also has important messages for end-users and vendors. "Applications servers are complex," warns Barnett. "Users must beware of vendor hype regarding `ease of use` while vendors must understand that customers require different levels of product sophistication and different types of supporting services. Very few vendors effectively communicate the true strengths of their products to customers."
Application servers also offer a standard set of development APIs that makes them much easier to use than traditional middleware technologies. These tools offer developers the interfaces necessary to provide a framework upon which IT can build adaptable and maintainable applications. This creates significant roles for both component-based software and systems integrators. "Application servers provide a `home` for server-based components, along with the services necessary to manage them at runtime. Additionally, as SIs focus on e-commerce strategies, application server software and component-based software make it much easier to develop e-commerce applications," concludes Barnett.
Application Servers: Creating the Web-enabled Enterprise
Application Servers: Creating the Web-enabled Enterprise will be available from Ovum in July and costs lb1495/EUR2395. Authored by analysts Gary Barnett and Neil Ward-Dutton, the report explores the benefits offered by application servers, market drivers, key technologies and integration strategies, as well as providing market scenarios and forecasts covering the strategies of vendors such as IBM, BEA, Microsoft and Oracle. For further product information call Ovum Ltd on +44 (0) 171 312 7318 or visit http://www.ovum.com.
Share
Ovum
Ovum is an independent research and consulting company, offering expert advice on IT, telecommunications and new media. Ovum`s mission is to help its customers make the right decisions. Its analysis of key market, technical and regulatory developments is highly respected worldwide for its authority, quality and clarity.
Established in 1985, Ovum has a dynamic growth record of 25% per year, and offices in London, Boston and Melbourne. Ovum`s 80 analysts provide reports, advisory services, and strategic consultancy to suppliers, users and policy makers worldwide.
A detailed Ovum press white paper, Application Servers: Creating the Web-enabled Enterprise, is available free of charge to the press community from Ovum press contacts.
Editorial contacts