Michael Blank

Having been endorsed by virtually every technology vendor on the planet, Web services are now evolving from "feature" to "fabric." They are moving from the latest buzzword (hot new feature) to a mature and accepted technology (fabric of the technology landscape). The hype is fading; it is no longer interesting to develop Web services simply as a proof of technology, or as an end in themselves. This series explores the use of Web services in real-world situations, with the purpose of identifying usage patterns. The idea behind the series is to help answer questions like: Where and how do Web services deliver value? Where might they be counter-indicated? What works? What doesn't? For the first time, there is enough data from real-world, business-driven projects to allow us to begin to recognize patterns. The data analyzed here is drawn from production Web services cas... (more)

Knowing When to Use Web Services

Web services are moving from the latest buzzword to a mature and accepted technology. Mainstream companies such as Eastman Chemical, Wells Fargo, and NEC have begun deploying significant Web Services-Based Integration (WSBI) projects. Avnet Computer Marketing (Avnet CM) is one of many companies also betting heavily on Web services. This month, "Web Services in the Real World" describes Avnet CM's strategic foray into WSBI (see sidebar). We'll explore their business objectives, why they chose Web services for some parts of their architecture (and not others), and the results they ... (more)