Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Web Services (along with the
underlying XML protocol) promise to greatly simplify the implementation of
distributed computing applications, both within the enterprise and between
enterprises. The widespread acceptance of Web Services across operating
systems, middleware, and application vendors will lead to simplified
interoperability, thus allowing for increased business agility and lower
development costs.
Today enterprises can use IP (Internet Protocol) Virtual Private Network
(VPN) offerings from their IP service provider for secure high-performance
interconnect services both within the enterprise's own sites and with
partners. Price erosion in voice services and intense competition in data
services is leading many IP-based s... (more)