Web services: Ready, steady... wait

Technology buyers, still digesting all of the software applications they bought in the late 1990s, are moving more slowly. While interested in Web services' more advanced concepts -- such as delivering real-time order status information to customers, and automatically scheduling appointments and coordinating calendars -- companies are starting out using it as a cheap and easy way to integrate applications. For instance, GE Global eXchange, which serves 60 percent of the Fortune 500, is using the technology to swap and track documents involved with B2B sales. Radko said his customers and partners are enthusiastic about Web services, but are just beginning to ponder how to use it. "Customers love to hear what we're doing but haven't programmed to it," he said. "Web services projects have to focus on integration because it's easily defended," said Radko. "Big standalone efforts aren't going to happen, so Web services will tackle the little things now and a few years later the big dollars will be spent." So when will Web services boost software vendors' bottom line? "That will take a couple years," said Schadler. Although most were optimistic about the long-term prospects, it's unclear whether a slow-but-steady buildup will satisfy software vendors, which are hoping services will mean stronger growth figures. Don Nanneman, vice president of marketing for business process management company Savvion, said there's a lot of interest from his customers, but it will take time for Web services to be everywhere. "It's going to take a lot of work, pilots and trials," said Nanneman. "As the comfort level and experience level increases there'll be opportunities for it to proliferate." Until that day, it's going to be baby steps for Web services rollouts -- not to mention the revenue that'll come with them. "We're going to see bigger projects, but I'm not sure how it's going to pan out with infrastructure spending," said Radko. "We're mining the software we have -- there's a lot of capability there."
Have your say instantly in the Tech Update forum. Find out what's where in the new Tech Update with our Guided Tour. Let the editors know what you think in the Mailroom.

Post your comment

In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in.

You can also log in with Facebook. Log in or create your ZDNet UK account below

  • Login

Will not be displayed with your comment

By signing up for this service, you indicate that you agree to our Terms and Conditions and have read and understood our Privacy Policy. Questions about membership? Find the answers in the Community FAQ

Get ZDNet UK's daily newsletter

Enter your email address to sign up

ZDNet UK Live

Phil at Cloud4

I agree: Mike Lynch can clearly build a business and manage strategy. I suspect the exit of Mike is more likely the end of a planned handover...

3 hours ago by Phil at Cloud4 on HP cuts 27,000 staff as Autonomy chief Lynch leaves
Phil at Cloud4

This is unbeleivable government wastage with only one winner... Microsoft 1 - Tax payer Nil!

3 hours ago by Phil at Cloud4 on 6 million wasted licences and £1,200 PCs: welcome to government IT
Mispam

So what do you do when you can't boot into windows? Why can't I just hold Shift while I power up instead of having to boot into windows and click a...

4 hours ago by Mispam on Windows 8 start-up speed forces USB boot workaround
apexwm

I've also seen that Mac OS X for Intel machines is supposed to run in VirtualBox, which would also be a nice solution. I've never tried it though.

6 hours ago by apexwm on xTreme Triple Booting: Linux, Mac & Windows
dave heasman

What I wonder is why when companies are caught bang to rights in not providing contracted services, people bend over to smear the customers? Surely...

6 hours ago by dave heasman on Virgin throttles broadband for high-speed customers
pjc158

Strange statement from HP regarding Mike Lynch and not capable of scaling a company. Autonomy was a $7bn purchase which started as a small company...

7 hours ago by pjc158 on HP cuts 27,000 staff as Autonomy chief Lynch leaves
lojolondon

Or - possibly, they will destroy business by ensuring people do not invest where there is no return. Another socialist idea, well beyond it's...

10 hours ago by lojolondon on Open Data Institute will act as biz incubator
J.A. Watson

Good stuff Jake, very interesting. Thanks. jw

10 hours ago by J.A. Watson on xTreme Triple Booting: Linux, Mac & Windows
openhgs

"the cost of a second LCD screen is about the same as one day of an office worker's time, so this should soon be recouped in extra productivity."...

11 hours ago by openhgs on Windows 8 could speed multi-monitor uptake
Thomas Gellhaus

I also installed the KDE version; I also will probably try out razorqt since I really haven't had a chance to before. I'm looking forward to the...

22 hours ago by Thomas Gellhaus via Facebook on Mageia 2 Released
francisabigail

Acquiring when reinvention/cannibalization is too challenging for a large organization can be an excellent strategy- still, so many mergers stumble...

1 day ago by francisabigail on Ariba buy parks SAP on Oracle's cloud turf
apexwm

All of the feedback regarding using a touch monitor for a desktop PC is right on. Several months ago, we installed a "demo" multitouch all-in-one...

1 day ago by apexwm on Windows 8 could speed multi-monitor uptake
191706

anyone wanting to triple boot *their* own Mac

1 day ago by 191706 on xTreme Triple Booting: Linux, Mac & Windows
SoapyTablet

Cont.. Biggest Bugbear: Win7's stop-animate-go approach to work, you develop a staggered (not in the above alchohol sense of the word) approach to...

1 day ago by SoapyTablet on Windows 8 could speed multi-monitor uptake
SoapyTablet

Ah the joys of Windows 8 Consumer Preview... If Windows 7 was 'Vista with Lipstick', whats Windows 8? Vista with Lipstick, the morning after?...

1 day ago by SoapyTablet on Windows 8 could speed multi-monitor uptake
daveveej

Though the metro look is quite cool on the windows mobile platform I think that think that microsoft ARE MESSING THINGS UP because what has they...

1 day ago by daveveej on Windows 8 could speed multi-monitor uptake
Custonian

I agree, we have a few touch screen monitors in work but as Windows7 and the applications we use are not touch screen friendly (the size of the...

1 day ago by Custonian on Windows 8 could speed multi-monitor uptake
archerthom

I find it amusing that Microsoft added the mouse, which was deemed awkward, but people were forced to use it so it stuck, and now they're saying,...

1 day ago by archerthom on Windows 8 could speed multi-monitor uptake
BrownieBoy

Agree with other comments. Nobody's going to start reaching out to start tapping their desktop monitors with their fingers. Their arms would tire...

2 days ago by BrownieBoy on Windows 8 could speed multi-monitor uptake
Random_Error

The only way a touch monitor would be any good is if it were horizontal on the desk, with a virtual keyboard so you could do away with that as well...

2 days ago by Random_Error on Windows 8 could speed multi-monitor uptake