degree of integration with other Web-based components. As you learned earlier, a Webcentric
architecture follows Internet design protocols and enables a company to integrate
the new application into its e-commerce strategy. Even where e-commerce is not
involved, a Web-centric application can run on the Internet or a company intranet or
extranet. A Web-based application avoids many of the connectivity and compatibility
problems that typically arise when different hardware environments are involved. In a
Web-based environment, a firm’s external business partners can use standard Web
browsers to import and export data.
Figure 10-5 shows IBM's WebSphere software. WebSphere offers Java-based ERP
solutions as well as software development tools that customers can use to build their
own Web-centric applications.