CrossWorlds Software Inc. says it will offer a new integration product, called Access Framework, that works with the upgrade to its flagship EAI software, Interchange Server 3.0. A company using the upgrade, available in October, can provide a business partner with Access Framework software, which gives the partner access to the company's network and allows it to link applications and conduct transactions using a browser interface. Access Framework also supports and can translate various versions of the Extensible Markup Language.

"In the short term, it's a smart idea," says John Mann, an analyst at the Patricia Seybold Group, who expects more vendors to offer similar systems. But as more companies implement full EAI systems, and as such systems become more compatible for business-to-business integration, the need for lightweight software for partners may eventually diminish, he says.

Interchange Server 3.0, available now, offers better development and business-process modeling tools, and improved administration and monitoring, according to CrossWorlds.

The license fee for Interchange Server 3.0 is about $500,000, and Access Framework starts at $90,000.

Meanwhile, Mercator Software Inc. in September will offer Web Integrator, complementary software for its EAI suite, E-business Integration Broker. Web Integrator lets companies link back-office systems such as enterprise resource planning applications to Web applications. Mercator says the product will work with Web server software from Allaire, BEA Systems, Bluestone Technology, and IBM.

Mercator also struck a deal with Ariba Inc. that will let Web Integrator customers link ERP and supply-chain systems to Ariba's procurement marketplace. The product will support Ariba's Commerce Services Network and cXML standard.