Reshaping the Application Server Market Page 3

What’s Happening?

Once you are familiar with a product that is generating good results, it’s worth trying to stick with it to capitalize on the investment. Such Web development tool pioneers as Sapphire/Web, WebObjects, WebLogic, and Cold Fusion are good products to extend from use in intranet applications to use in e-business applications.

Of course, the server must then meet a new set of requirements. In particular, it must be scalable and offer both performance and reliability. Moreover, in light of today’s fast-paced market, customers want out-of-the box solutions and ready-to-use components.

The top-to-bottom approach consists of getting rid of any existing tools and looking for the solution best suited to specific e-business developments. If an organizations plans to focus strictly on e-business requirements, some application server vendors cover this area well. These solutions also work well for intranet applications. However, products from players such as BroadVision, InterWorld, and Vignette are not designed to develop customized applications and are seldom appropriate for intranet application development.

If you happen to come upon a solution that works for both intranet and e-business processes, it is a great opportunity for your company to standardize Web developments with one product. Just don’t forget that the chosen product must be in line with industry standards. The above processes are only guidelines to keep in mind when making a decision.

Moreover, standardizing all Web developments within an enterprise should not be the ultimate goal, as in striving for perfection one risks leaving the needs of employees and customers unfulfilled.