When it comes to Web services, many companies are still in a wait-and-see mode. Some are waiting to see what happens when the technology evolves out of the early adopter stage; others are waiting for a killer app to appear that will make Web services a must-have; and others still are wondering what this new concept offers their business and what the bottom line benefits of adopting it would be.
There are good reasons for IT managers to start focusing their efforts and updating their staff`s skills in this area.
There is no one application or system designed on Web services principles that will change the world.
Julian Field, MD, CenterField Software
It should be noted that this is not just another programming language or methodology. It is a new way in which companies can interact and work with partners, customers and themselves that can deliver cost savings and faster development and deployment times if done correctly.
Most of the organisations already involved in developing and rolling out Web services have well-established goals in mind. Internal targets include streamlining the business as a whole while improving operational efficiency and the decision-making processes. Customer-centric initiatives include developing applications that support best practices across customer-interfacing activities.
The critical selling point of Web services, however, is the ability to support business operations and deliver real benefits in terms of cost savings and business acceleration. It is therefore imperative for the IT manager to educate corporate leaders on how the company can benefit from either replacing or supplementing existing technologies with new developments based on the new concept.
Additionally, the standards-based approach of Web services enables companies to adopt new ideas and techniques without the hassles and concerns of being tied to any one system or vendor. These open standards also mean different companies will be able work together in the future without problems.
Security at stake
Of course, security is a critical issue in enterprises, especially when considering the Internet. Vulnerabilities in the security of Web services-based applications are one of the issues management always brings up. Suffice to say, the concerns are justified. However, with companies like IBM and Sun, among others, putting serious resources into the technology as well as the open-standards co-operation, the worst security leaks corporations are likely to face in the long run is sloppy programming and bad implementation techniques.
There are, naturally, those companies eager to make their quarterly results that will promise the earth in some or other "unique" Web services solution. The hard-sell approach they use ("buy now or lose your competitive advantage forever") and some standard in-house testing will reveal these games.
Discretion is advised, but don`t be overly cautious. The great thing about Web services is that proof-of-concept projects can be organised and carried out with the minimum of cost - and fuss. Even fully functioning business systems can be developed in parts according to a component architecture delivering small, regular milestones to enable bean counters to keep an eye on costs versus delivery.
As with all innovations, like HTML or Java, it is not an executive directive that will get the IT department interested and involved in the new toys. The natural process is that the techies themselves start playing and finding out what the new technology can do on their own time and at their own expense.
This is happening with Web services and it is when the playing meets a business need - driven by on-the-ball executives - and the two find common ground that the business benefits of the technology starts taking off. These technology/business meetings are happening with increasing frequency in companies from diverse industries right now. For those companies waiting for the "killer app" that will define the global advent of Web services, some advice: don`t. There is no one application or system designed on Web services principles that will change the world.
Every organisation has distinct needs and each one will find their own killer app, or apps, as they delve into the possibilities of Web services.
Looking beyond the hype as well as the hesitation of corporate buyers, the concept of Web services will permit organisations to develop a new brand of applications at lower costs and with fewer resources. Web services is a winner: that`s a fact; so perhaps the industry should focus on education instead of marketing to really spur the adoption of the new technology. It really sells itself.
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