9 Jul 2002
UK Enterprises Give Web Services the Green Light
Survey reveals IT decision makers' commitment to Web Services
July 2002 - A survey conducted by Attachmate, the e-business integration solutions provider, has revealed that 47% of the UK's enterprises are already implementing Web Services with another 44 % gearing up to adopt the technology within the next three years.
The survey asked IT decision makers from some of the UK's largest businesses their views on Web Services - from the reasons for investing in the technology through to perceived difficulties of doing so.
Fifty one percent of respondents felt that Web Services are a strategic solution capable of generating true business application interoperability with partners and customers, with 71% in agreement that the most important aspect of the technology is the competitive advantage it can deliver by enhancing supply chain management and improving customer service and profit
margins.
However, Attachmate's survey illustrated that that fears over security are still at large, with 50% of respondents believing that concerns over Web Services' security will create a significant hurdle in the technology's widespread adoption. Furthermore, 21% cited the lack of 'open' standards to enable Web Services interoperability as being an issue that needs to be
overcome before the technology can truly take off. Finally, 21% believe that Web Services are too time consuming and expensive, impacting negatively on the IT department's already depleted resources.
As a member of the Web Services Interoperability (WS-I) organisation, Attachmate believes that, whilst its survey's findings are positive for the industry, players in the market need to address the recurrent security and standards concerns.
Michael Jensen, Area Director for Attachmate comments: "We conducted the survey to discover how strategic IT decision-makers really view web services. Despite the marketing hype surrounding the technology in the last 18 months, it would appear that companies are genuinely serious about Web Services. The survey confirmed that 64% believe that Web Services
will lower the cost of application integration within their company." Adding: "As always with new technology, there will be questions. The issue of security will be addressed but to hold off implementation would be the wrong decision. There is an opportunity now to develop Web Services inside the firewall and release those processes outside when you are comfortable
with the security available and provide your customers with fully integrated and proven business solutions".
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Attachmate
Attachmate Sales Belgium
Ambiorixlaan 43, bus 001
1780 Wemmel
Belgium
Notes for editors
About Attachmate
Attachmate is a leading supplier of business integration solutions. Creating Web Services from existing Legacy based applications running on IBM, Unisys, DEC and UNIX systems. Converting legacy-native formats to and from XML with wholly non-invasive interaction with the back office, Attachmate's Java-based Smart Connectors® only focus on the transaction requirements for ebusiness projects. With total interoperability with other EAI technologies, Attachmate's Smart Connectors offer Corporates freedom of component choice for integration projects and allow a bespoke integration solution rather than an "off-the-shelf" alternative. Current clients include: Stockport NHS Trust, Shearings Holidays, Surrey and Cheshire County Council, British Airways, Centrica.
For more information about Attachmate® solutions, contact Attachmate Sales Belgium, Ambiorixlaan 43 bus 001, 1780 Wemmel, tel : 02/224810750, fax : 02/4810757, or visit www.attachmate.be.