Summary

In this chapter I have discussed different technologies that cover a wide area. I have discussed wrapping legacy systems into legacy fortresses. I have discussed a somewhat random collection of fortresses that, for lack of a better common term , are described as service fortresses. And I have discussed treaty management fortresses, fortresses that can manage collaborations.

The main area in which standards may be emerging is loosely coupled transaction management (LCTM). LCTM is an important area because it defines how fortresses that are working together within a particular treaty can let each other know about the failure or success of their part of the workload. At this point, the best bet for an LCTM standard is the BTP work by OASIS, but this work is premature.