SAN JOSE, Calif., ARMONK, N.Y., REDMOND, Wash., WALLDORF, Germany, and SANTA CLARA, Calif. Aug, 10, 2004 — BEA Systems Inc., IBM Corp., Microsoft Corp., SAP AG and Sun Microsystems Inc. today announced the submission of the latest version of a key Web services specification, WS-Addressing, to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) as input into the standardization process.
WS-Addressing helps enable organizations to build reliable and interoperable Web services applications by defining a standard mechanism for identifying and exchanging Web services messages between multiple end points. With a standard way to express where a message should be delivered in a Web services network, developers are able to simplify Web services communication and development and avoid the need to develop costly, ad hoc solutions that are often difficult to interoperate across platforms.
With today’s acknowledgement by the W3C, the joint submission of WS-Addressing represents a milestone in the collaboration among BEA, IBM, Microsoft, SAP and Sun to further advance Web services technology. Backed by significant industry support, the submission of WS-Addressing is also a part of a longer term effort to provide a standards-based foundation for the development of secure, transacted, asynchronous and reliable Web services.
WS-Addressing is a key part of the core Web services architecture. In particular, the specification is designed to underlie other specifications, such as WS-ReliableMessaging, WS-Federation and WS-AtomicTransaction, providing a consistent, interoperable and standards-based mechanism for Web services addressing.
The submission also further demonstrates all the co-authors’ commitment to the development of open industry standards to drive widespread adoption of Web services. With the intent of easing adoption, the co-authors will not charge royalties in conjunction with WS-Addressing. The co-authors of this specification look forward to future collaboration in bringing together a cohesive Web services architecture.
About BEA
BEA Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: BEAS) is the world’s leading application infrastructure software company, providing the enterprise software foundation that allows thousands of companies to benefit from service-oriented architectures. With more than 15,000 customers around the world, including the majority of the Fortune Global 500, BEA and its WebLogic® and Tuxedo®
brands are among the most trusted names in business.
Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., BEA has 71 offices in 34 countries and is on the Web at http://www.bea.com/ .
About IBM
IBM is the world’s largest information technology company, and a leader in helping businesses and organizations innovate. IBM and its Business Partners offer a wide range of services, solutions and technologies that enable customers, large and small, to take full advantage of the on demand business. More information about IBM can be found by visiting http://www.ibm.com/ondemand .
About SAP
SAP is the world’s leading provider of business software solutions. SAP® solutions are designed to meet the demands of companies of all sizes — from small and midsize businesses to global enterprises. Powered by the SAP NetWeaver (TM) open integration and application platform to reduce complexity and total cost of ownership and empower business change and innovation, mySAP (TM) Business Suite solutions are helping enterprises around the world improve customer relationships, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across their supply chains and business operations. The unique core processes of various industries, from aerospace to utilities, are supported by more than 25 SAP industry solutions. Today, more than 23,400 customers in over 120 countries run more than 79,800 installations of SAP®
software. With subsidiaries in more than 50 countries, the company is listed on several exchanges, including the Frankfurt stock exchange and NYSE under the symbol “SAP.” (Additional information at http://www.sap.com )
About Sun Microsystems
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision — “The Network Is The Computer (TM) ” — has propelled Sun Microsystems Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that make the Net work. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://www.sun.com/ .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, and The Network Is The Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems Inc. in the United States and other countries.
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