Application integration is often a difficult process, especially when integrating existing legacy applications with new applications or Web services. Given the huge area of this subject, you could literally write a book on doing a successful implementation. However some of the basic business requirements include:

• Adequate connectivity between platforms
• Business rules and data transformation logic
• The longevity of business processes
• Flexibility of business processes
• Flexibility of hardware, software, and business goals

To meet these needs, the application environment should have a common interface for free communication, including the system’s ability to request Web services and be compatible when interfacing with other platforms and applications.