Systems/Enterprise:
ORGANIZATIONS TO USE TOOLS
EXTERNALIZING LEGACY & GRID APPS
META Group Inc announced the availability of its
newest METAspectrum
evaluation, covering the host access market, specifically
Web-to-host tools.
This METAspectrum evaluates vendors whose products
enable access to and
integration of legacy data streams via interception of
the streams using a
thin-client approach. Commonly referred to as Web-to-host
products, these
offerings typically enable integration of data into "newer"
applications as
well as the ability to remotely access legacy data.
According to META Group, more than 90% of large organizations will utilize
host access products that externalize legacy applications via Web services by
2007.
"We expect host access products to continue playing an important
role for
large organizations externalizing legacy applications," said Mark
Vanston,
program director with META Group's Enterprise Data Center Strategies
service.
"Web-to-host access solutions can reduce the cost of legacy
integration,
enabling organizations to leverage existing assets and capitalize
on new IT
opportunities."
Legacy externalization efforts will continue
to be dominated by tactical,
point-like application integration products with
new presentation interfaces.
However, demand for highly scalable e-commerce
solutions primarily driven by
Web services that leverage transactional legacy
mainframe systems will propel
screen-based data integration in the next two
years.
Organizations now face the difficult task of transitioning away
from
traditional emulation products, toward a Web services model.
Key
Findings And Guidance
The Host Access: Web-to-Host Tools METAspectrum
evaluates the top 11
vendors in this market.
The analysis found:
- The host access sector has experienced rampant consolidation and
merger
activity during the last three years.
- Most vendors have had success selling traditional emulation products, but
user uptake of Web-to-host products has been slow, despite heavy
promotion.
- Purchasers will begin to increase their bias toward presence criteria,
reflecting increasing market maturity.
- Leaders must demonstrate product breadth in terms of integration and
functionality, combined with an established financial footing that enables
further product development -- IBM is the clear leader because of its solid
financial base as well as its technology.
- Challengers typically have good technical solutions, but lack the
financial resources or breadth of product offerings necessary to challenge IBM
in the leader area.
- Followers may have solutions applicable to certain customer segments, but
do not have the necessary presence to become a broad market player over
time.
About METAspectrum
ETAspectrum evaluations from META Group provide IT professionals with a
view
into critical market success factors and vendor positioning.
METAspectrum, in
combination with META Group's SPEX modules -- which provide
detailed technical
analysis of product features and capabilities -- delivers
comprehensive
evaluations of both technology markets and vendor product
offerings.
METAspectrum evaluations are a standard component of a META
Group retainer
service subscription and are updated periodically, depending on
the
characteristics of individual markets.
To learn about METAspectrum methodology, visit:
http://www.metagroup.com/metaspectrum or call 800-945-META.
For more information on META Group's SPEX offerings, visit: http://www.checkspex.com.
About META
Group
META Group is a leading research and consulting firm, focusing
on
information technology and business transformation strategies. Delivering
objective, consistent, and actionable guidance, META Group enables
organizations to innovate more rapidly and effectively. Our unique
collaborative models help clients succeed by building speed, agility, and
value into their IT and business systems and processes.
http://www.metagroup.com
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