THE451 LAUNCHES FLAGSHIP REPORT: THE SOAP BUBBLE - A WEB SERVICES TAXONOMY

Release talking about the impact of web services and highlighting a new research report by the451.

Cutting through the hype and confusion surrounding Web services

NEW YORK, February 13, 2002-Web services will be an evolutionary step in the IT market, yet vendors are overpromising on what they can provide and hijacking the term to promote their own products and services. Standards are absolutely critical, but vendors seem determined to add further confusion even in this area. The recently announced Web Services Interoperability Organization initiative shows the massive vendor support for Web services, but has also added another layer to the standards process.

The451 today launched a comprehensive analysis of the Web services market. The 130-page report examines when and how enterprises should take advantage of this evolution. It advises them to be wary of vendor claims, and to seek reference sites and standards conformance. It assesses the risks to many vendors that will find their products facing commoditization. And it serves as a warning to investors that many startups face an uncertain future.

Web services are applications that can interact with one another dynamically via Internet technologies. They are reusable components that can be published, located and invoked over the Internet using standard protocols. This can eliminate the need for expensive proprietary solutions. However, Web services will not suddenly eliminate the need for application integration or move us much closer to the nirvana of vast repositories of reusable code.

The451 analyzes the entire Web services value chain and identifies strategies the winning companies will need to pursue. The report details the implications of Web services for major IT vendors, application internetworking companies, Web services platform vendors, integration companies, end users and investors. It analyzes the key decisions that industry players need to make and provides actionable advice on how to become a leader in this market.

The report, which retails at $1,495, includes more than 50 in-depth primary interviews with senior industry figures, including 19 of the most promising startup companies. This report is a must-read for anyone involved in the IT market. It is relevant to the vendor community, ISVs, users, investors, consultants and distributors.

The main body of the report provides detailed profiles of the major industry players and startups in Web services. Major players profiled include BEA, IBM, Microsoft, Sun and Tibco. Startups profiled include Cacheon, Killdara, Shinka and Velocigen. The report also analyzes the future direction of the Web services market and the role of standards.

About the451

The451 is a leading analyst company focused on the technology, communications and media industries. The451's team of analysts produces timely News Analysis and in-depth, custom and targeted Reports that identify and analyze technology trends. Key analysts also regularly provide consulting advice to member companies.

The aim of the451 is to explain the significance of key industry events, technical developments and business models to an audience of business-critical decision makers. They need more depth than is found in rapidly produced news, but don't have time to plow through vast reports to find the one piece of information that can make the difference between a good and bad decision.

Founded in December 1999 and launched in April 2000 by a team of analysts, journalists and sales and marketing experts, the451 has successfully grown a significant client base of technology, financial services and PR companies.

Based in New York and San Francisco, with analysts in London, the451 delivers its analysis via the Internet, wireless and PDA services, Bloomberg terminals and the Multex service. For more information please go to www.the451.com.

For general or editorial information please contact webservices@the451.com

For more details about the report please contact:

In the US:         Simon Carruthers at simon.carruthers@the451.com
            Tel: +1 212 505 3030 extension 103

In the rest of the world:   Philip Chew at philip.chew@the451.com
            Tel: + 44 (0) 7714 218377