Yet integrating applications is no easy feat, no matter what size the company.
IBM is bringing its WebSphere Business Integration Server to small and medium-sized businesses. But integrating the software infrastructure of a business even of that size remains a daunting task.
The light version of Business Integration Server, which is sold as part of the company"s Express line designed for small and midsize companies, comes with about 10 connectors and adapters for generic linkages, such as tying a new Web application to an XML messaging system, a Web service, or a relational database via Java Database Connectivity. But if a company wants Business Integration Server Express to connect to enterprise applications, such as those offered by PeopleSoft or SAP, it"ll have to shell out around $15,000 for the additional specialized adapter, says Shawn Willett, an analyst with Current Analysis.
The Express version of Business Integration Server comes with a low price tag of $5,999. It"s positioned just below the price point of a competing Microsoft product for small and medium-sized businesses, BizTalk Server, listed at $6,999 for the standard version.