Business process management promises to drive enterprise software markets going forward. Business processes are enhanced by the ability to interconnect a range of different applications systems including general ledger, order entry, inventory, process control, customer services, and human resources.

Integration of different divisions is significant for business management, financial management, and taxes. Integration of systems for communication via the Internet with partners is also significant. Customers, partners, distributors, and suppliers can interface electronically to an enterprise through a portal.

When large numbers of applications and systems are linked through point-to-point interfaces, organizations find it difficult to respond quickly to business changes. Integrating with external systems of suppliers, customers, and partners presents a business process management challenge.

Internal development in IT groups is the single largest competitor to integration systems implementation. Large investments in systems interfaces tend to be maintained with in a department. Integration projects are sold to companies that are replacing existing IT applications. At the time of replacement of a legacy system, the integration problem needs to be solved all at once, and then packaged software is competitive with hand coded interface logic.

Companies trying to merge IT departments following a merger or acquisition need integration infrastructure. Those involved in front office/back office integration and those working to comply with new regulations all face the need to implement integration. BPM is emerging as a layer above integration infrastructure that guides process automation once integration has been put in place.

Business process management promises to take the islands of knowledge, data and business rules that represent the core of enterprise activities and unite them into a business system that is accessible to ordinary business people.

Business process management engine markets at $884.4 million in 2004 are expected to reach $2.4 billion by 2011. Business process content management solutions allow companies to effectively monitor changes made to data in real-time. Solutions once in place permit corporate officers to gain a 360-degree view of all operations.

Report Methodology

This is the 249th report in a series of market research reports that provide forecasts in communications, telecommunications, the internet, computer, software, and telephone equipment. The project leaders take direct responsibility for writing and preparing each report. They have significant experience preparing industry studies. Forecasts are based on primary research and proprietary data bases. Forecasts reflect analysis of the market trends in the segment and related segments. Unit and dollar shipments are analyzed through consideration of dollar volume of each market participation in the segment. Market share analysis includes conversations with key customers of products, industry segment leaders, marketing directors, distributors, leading market participants, and companies seeking to develop measurable market share. Over 200 in-depth interviews are conducted for each report with a broad range of key participants and opinion leaders in the market segment.

About the Company

WinterGreen Research, founded in 1985, provides strategic market assessments in telecommunications, communications equipment, health care, and advanced computer technology. Industry reports focus on opportunities that will expand existing markets or develop major new markets. The reports assess new product and service positioning strategies, new and evolving technologies, and technological impact on products, services, and markets. Market shares are provided. Leading market participants are profiled, and their marketing strategies, acquisitions, and strategic alliances are discussed. The principals of WinterGreen Research have been involved in analysis and forecasting of international business opportunities in telecommunications and advanced computer technology markets for over 30 years.

About the Principal Authors

Ellen T. Curtiss, Technical Director, co-founder of WinterGreen Research, conducts strategic and market assessments in technology-based industries. Previously she was a member of the staff of Arthur D. Little, Inc., for 23 years, most recently as Vice President of Arthur D. Little Decision Resources, specializing in strategic planning and market development services. She is a graduate of Boston University and the Program for Management Development at Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. She is the author of recent studies on worldwide telecommunications markets and the Top Ten Telecommunications market analysis and forecasts.

Susan Eustis, President, co-founder of WinterGreen Research, has done research in communications and computer markets and applications. She holds several patents in microcomputing and parallel processing. She is the author of recent studies of the Regional Bell Operating Companies' marketing strategies, Internet equipment, a study of Internet Equipment, Worldwide Telecommunications Equipment, Top Ten Telecommunications, Digital Loop Carrier, Web Hosting, and Application Integration markets. Ms. Eustis is a graduate of Barnard College.