Wilhelm Hasselbring , Manfred Reichert ( Hrsg . ) EAI 2004 – Enterprise Application Integration

Middleware islands occur when an enterprise uses different middleware that doesn't communicate easily. They can arise because different middleware is used where it is most appropriate in an enterprise. Or the mix may have arisen for historical reasons, such as keeping up with new middleware developments, or because certain bought-in applications introduced their bundled middleware into the enterprise. All but the smallest enterprises face some serious challenges in integrating such islands. This talk will look at a number of issues, including: • What middleware hides, but as importantly what it exposes. • The options for middleware interoperability, and a comparison of these. • How a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) can help? • Can the Web Services standards help? (For example, what benefit can be gained because WSDL separates the logical and physical contract?) • The need for enterprise quality of service. One of the interesting conclusions is the benefit to be gained by allowing a choice over which middleware is used at the transport level.