XML, Web Services, and the Data Revolution

By Frank  P.  Coyle

BEA is an application service provider that targets businesses seeking complete e-business solutions. Their flagship product is the BEA WebLogic server, a Java J2EE-based middle- tier server that integrates Web-based front ends with back-end data stores.

BEA addresses transactions up front, using the terms "complex" and "simple" to distinguish between Web services that do or do not require transactional and security support. The BEA WebLogic E-Business Platform has the following components :

• BEA WebLogic Server: The WebLogic Server can access and expose simple, single call-and-response Web services using SOAP and XML. It will also support UDDI and WSDL.

• BEA WebLogic Integration: This BEA component integrates its tightly coupled middleware with complex Web services that require transactional integrity and security. Support is also available for ebXML.

• BEA WebLogic Personalization Server: The BEA WebLogic Personalization Server will focus on personalization and customization of content and services based on user preferences, prior experience, or preestablished business rules.