Updated: July 12, 2020 (March 18, 2002)

Vendors Face Web Service Gaps

As managing vice president, Rob Helm covers Microsoft collaboration and content management. His 25-plus years of experience analyzing Microsoft’s technology... more

The Web Services Interoperability Organization (WS-I), formed by Microsoft and 45 other companies, will tackle problems in basic technologies for Web services, which are software components that communicate by sending XML messages over standard Internet protocols. The group’s formation shows that many companies have great hopes for Web services, but it also highlights barriers to implementing Web services on a large scale. WS-I could lower the barriers by providing a forum where Microsoft, IBM, and other vendors of Web services tools hammer out their differences under the eyes of potential customers.

WS-I board members include Accenture, BEA Systems, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Oracle, and SAP. The organization includes many other companies that are potential users of Web services, such as Daimler Chrysler, Ford Motor, Qwest, Reuters, and United Airlines.

Interoperability Still a Vision

WS-I’s first mission will be to solve problems that hinder Web service interoperability.

Atlas Members have full access

Get access to this and thousands of other unbiased analyses, roadmaps, decision kits, infographics, reference guides, and more, all included with membership. Comprehensive access to the most in-depth and unbiased expertise for Microsoft enterprise decision-making is waiting.

Membership Options

Already have an account? Login Now