Getting NetSmart - Wireless: The key to enterprise application integration?

Wireless: The key to enterprise application integration?

Network World, 03/27/02

We have heard a lot of talk lately about Web services being the key to enterprise application integration. In laymen's terms, the goal for IT executives should be to connect all data sources using standards-based architectures like Simple Object Access Protocol and XML rather than ripping out their existing infrastructure to build something new.

Sandra Gittlen This idea was reiterated at IDC's Directions 200 conference in Boston last week. Analysts from across disciplines put their heft behind Web services and said it is part of the whole "rethink, don't reinvent" movement happening in IT. Several analysts added that a key driver for companies to adopt Web services is the increased need for them to allow wireless users access to enterprise applications.

Ask an IT executive what he/she thinks about giving users a vulnerable link access to the corporate network and well, you can imagine the look of disdain you will receive. Even more disturbing for these IT executives is thinking how they will have the people power to convert all that data into a wireless-acceptable format. Will they have to go in and reformat all that data by hand? Will they have to spend hours installing middleware only to find that it's not compatible with all their systems? Will users really be able to glean the benefits of the data from a wireless handheld or a cell phone? Or will it all be a wasted effort?

Next week, Network World launches our six-city Tech Update seminar "Integrating and Managing Wireless in Your Network." The benefits of wireless access to data is just one of the many issues that will be tackled by moderator Ira Brodsky, president of Datacomm Research. He'll be joined by presenters from Cisco, Funk Software, Symbol Technologies and Western Multiplex.

Brodsky will lay out all the possible wireless elements across an enterprise, including wireless LANs and remote wireless workers. Then, the presenters will take the stage to explain the challenges of each element, including security and data access. They will also answer questions from the audience during roundtable sessions.

Brodsky also looks at the role of wireless in true convergence. He points to voice recognition programs that can make enterprise data easily accessible to wireless users.

As for the Web services part of this puzzle, we'll be tackling that in our upcoming Buzz 2002 event in September. Stay tuned for more on that.

What do you think? Will opening up enterprise data to wireless users be a drain on your resources? Or is your company already implementing Web services that alleviate the strain on people power?

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