XML Usage Reaches 86 Percent in Systems Integration Projects Using Web Services

STAMFORD, CONN., April 28, 2003 - Some 86 percent of enterprises that are using or planning to use a systems integrator through the beginning of 2004 for a Web services solution will use XML, according to a survey by Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT and ITB).

In March 2003, Gartner conducted a survey of 161 North American enterprises via Web and e-mail to determine Web services adoption in in-house projects as well as in systems integration engagements.

According to the survey, internal integration with applications and processes is the most common activity or function for Web services projects. Following closely are security, personalization and Web content management.

"This survey shows that significant and steady gains are being made in the use of Web services for business-to-business and intraenterprise solutions," said Michele Cantara, principal analyst for Gartner. "Web services has hit the mainstream in terms of gaining user attention, and usage has clearly matured beyond the first stages of intraenterprise Web services pilots."

Gartner defines Web services as end-to-end application software that interoperates with other software through a family of XML interfaces - like SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), UDDI (Universal Description, Discovery and Integration) and WDSL (Web Service Definition Language) - to perform useful functions.

Further findings from this survey will be released at Gartner's Web Services and Application Integration Summit, May 5-7. The summit will be held at the Century Plaza Hotel & Spa in Los Angeles. For more information on the summit or to register, please visit www.gartner.com/us/webservices, or contact Ashley Pearce via phone at 1-203-316-6757 or via e-mail at ashley.pearce@gartner.com.

About Gartner

Gartner, Inc. is a research and advisory firm that helps more than 10,500 clients leverage technology to achieve business success. Gartner's businesses consist of Research, Consulting, Measurement, Events and Executive Programs. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, and has 4,000 associates, including more than 1,000 research analysts and consultants, in more than 75 locations worldwide. Fiscal 2002 revenue totaled $907 million. For more information, visit www.gartner.com.