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Web services are being praised as
the next generation solution to integration. Hype aside, the real
question is not if Web services will play a sustainable role in
the future of integration, but rather how to generate tangible benefits
and with that how to identify Web services opportunities. We’ve
examined the three possible areas where the use of Web services
makes the most sense.
Supply Chain Management offers considerable
cost savings however, integrating the many business processes that
span corporate boundaries can present many challenges. Web services
significantly reduce the complexity of the integration effort that
is required for these B2B initiatives. Resulting in reduced
IT spending and supply chain costs.
A significant benefit of Web services
is the re-usability of the service for a variety of scenarios. A
well developed service can be used for B2B business process integration
as well as for internal integration of applications. By identifying
processes that use common business rules, the functionality of a
Web service can be adopted or re-used for various business processes--hence
reducing integration costs.
Web services not only deliver integration cost savings but can also
be used to generate new sources of revenue. For example an organization
may hold non-proprietary information that offers great value to
a specific market. A properly developed Web services environment
can be used to provide access to this information via cell phones,
PDA devices or internet browsers. Those consuming the service would
be charged a minimal fee, generating a new revenue stream
for the organization.
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Fact Sheet