Web 2.0 Technology Will Drive Next-Generation Telecom Services, Heavy Reading FindsThe momentum behind Web 2.0 services is driving a closer alignment between Web servers and telecom application servers, new report findsPRNewswire NEW YORK, May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- The stunning success of Web 2.0 applications is forcing telecom service providers around the world to speed up their next-gen service plans, leading to the deeper integration of Web-based technologies with telecom application servers, according to a major new report from Heavy Reading (http://www.heavyreading.com/), the market research division of TechWeb's Light Reading (http://www.lightreading.com/). The Ultimate Mashup: Web 2.0 & Next-Gen Telecom Application Servers examines the effect of Web services on next-generation telecom application servers, identifying the techniques, protocols, and hardware configurations that network operators must include in their purchasing criteria. The report profiles and analyzes 28 leading suppliers of Web and telecom application servers, assessing their products, development plans, and technology strategies. For a complete list of technology suppliers analyzed in this report, see: http://img.lightreading.com/heavyreading/pdf/hr20080505_companies.pdf The Ultimate Mashup: Web 2.0 & Next-Gen Telecom Application Servers includes a case study of the BT 21st-Century Network (21CN) initiative to capture the strategies, decision points, and variables BT considered in plotting its transition strategy. The 67-page report provides a complete and detailed view of the emerging next-gen application server market, including: -- The evolution path of the telecom application server and the most
likely future course for application servers
-- The challenges network operators face in delivering Web 2.0 services,
including the impact of alternative carriers such as Vonage and Skype
-- An assessment of the relevant application program interfaces (APIs) and
programming languages used by application servers
-- An analysis of the various types of application servers, the services
they enable, and their functional roles as detailed in industry
standards
-- An evaluation of Telco 2.0 and Web 2.0 services integration
-- A detailed competitive analysis of the products, overall vision, market
strategies, and long-term prospects of next-gen application server
technology suppliers
"After more than a decade of parallel development as clearly defined separate entities, Web servers and telecom application servers are now becoming much more closely aligned," says Jim Hodges, senior analyst with Heavy Reading and author of the report. "The momentum of Web 2.0 services is driving this closer relationship. For example, it is now possible to purchase, from vendors such as IBM and BEA, combined SIP and HTTP Web servers that from a hardware perspective represent a converged telecom/Web application server." One factor that is preventing a faster convergence of Web 2.0 and application server technologies is the reluctance of vendors on both sides to compete head on, Hodges notes. "Both sides recognize that their skill sets are not as well suited to competing in different markets, and the R&D costs are prohibitive -- meaning that telecom vendors will not develop Web servers and Web vendors will not develop telephony features," he explains. "Still, this separation is showing clear signs of dissolution, such as the decision by Web vendor Oracle to internally develop telecom features to support VOIP and Virtual PBX applications." Other key findings of The Ultimate Mashup: Web 2.0 & Next-Gen Telecom Application Servers include the following: The success of the Web 2.0 business model is motivating application server providers to integrate more Web 2.0-type capabilities into their platforms. Vendors delivering new application servers with Web 2.0 features include Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, Nokia Siemens, Nortel Networks, and Sonus. Hardware differentiation among telecom application servers is now virtually meaningless. Most suppliers of telecom application servers have migrated to commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) server configurations, such as BladeCenter T, which are essentially carrier-grade Web servers. This means vendors have relinquished the ability to differentiate products at a hardware level. Telecom application server vendors are shifting their focus to delivery of high-quality modular software that maximizes the scaleability of the base platform. Accordingly, while telecom vendors such as Genband and Avaya sell software-only solutions today, at least one major vendor is considering the adoption of this approach in the second half of 2008. Renewed interest by major vendors in the development of application server products will likely lead to further consolidation among suppliers. The consolidation and rationalization that occurred in 2007, with the merger of Aepona and Appium and the acquisition of Ubiquity by enterprise-based Avaya, will continue apace. The most notable move this year has been Oracle's announced acquisition of BEA. The Ultimate Mashup: Web 2.0 & Next-Gen Telecom Application Servers is essential reading for a wide range of industry participants, including the following: -- Service providers: How will Web 2.0 technologies and applications
affect your service initiatives? What role will next-generation
application servers play in transforming the telecom services industry?
Which standards and technologies will be most important to your
organization's next-gen services strategy? Which suppliers are in the
best position to meet your needs for next-generation products?
-- Technology suppliers: How will the convergence of Web 2.0 and Telco 2.0
initiatives shape supply and demand for next-gen telecom services?
Which technologies are likely to emerge as long-term solutions, and how
does your portfolio match up to that list of probable leaders? What
are the strengths and weaknesses of your key competitors, and who are
they working with to build market share?
-- Investors: How will the emergence of Web 2.0 and next-gen application
servers affect the telecom sector? Which technology providers are
likely to emerge as the main suppliers of next-gen products, and when
are they most likely to reap those benefits?
The Ultimate Mashup: Web 2.0 & Next-Gen Telecom Application Servers costs $3,995 and is published in PDF format. The price includes an enterprise license covering all of the employees at the purchaser's company. For more information, or to request a free executive summary, contact: Dave Williams Sales Director, Heavy Reading 858-485-8870 dave.williams@heavyreading.com Press/analyst contact: Dennis Mendyk Managing Director, Heavy Reading 201-587-2154 mendyk@heavyreading.com About Heavy Reading Heavy Reading is an independent market research organization offering quantitative analysis of telecom technology to service providers, vendors, and investors. Its mandate is to provide the comprehensive competitive analysis needed today for the deployment of profitable networks based on next-generation hardware and software. About TechWeb TechWeb (techweb.com/aboutus), the global leader in business technology media, is an innovative business focused on serving the needs of technology decision-makers and marketers worldwide. TechWeb produces the most respected and consumed media brands in the business technology market. Today, more than 13.3 million* business technology professionals actively engage in our communities created around our global face-to-face events Interop, Web 2.0, Black Hat and VoiceCon; online resources such as the TechWeb Network, Light Reading, Intelligent Enterprise, InformationWeek.com, bMighty.com, and The Financial Technology Network; and the market leading, award-winning InformationWeek, TechNet Magazine, MSDN Magazine, Wall Street & Technology magazines. TechWeb also provides end-to-end services ranging from next-generation performance marketing, integrated media, research, and analyst services. TechWeb is a division of United Business Media, a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than $2.5 billion. * 13.3 million business decision-makers: based on # of monthly connections SOURCE: Heavy Reading CONTACT: Dave Williams, Sales Director, +1-858-485-8870, Web site: http://www.heavyreading.com/ |