PeopleSoft announced its Open Integration Framework (OIF) initiative enabling flexible and cost effective integration of PeopleSoft applications with software, including e-business solutions and legacy systems. The Open Integration Framework will deliver Internet-enabled APIs fully embracing XML. The new integration technology will be available in controlled release in the fourth quarter of 1999, and will be generally available with PeopleSoft 8 in the first half of 2000. As part of the initiative, PeopleSoft is partnering with leading Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) vendors to deliver certified, packaged integrations to customers. Expanding on PeopleSoft’s robust set of existing integration tools and APIs, the company is introducing Internet-enabled APIs such as Application Messaging, Business Components, and Business Interlink. Application Messaging is an Internet-based messaging architecture allowing PeopleSoft applications and third party systems to publish data based on business events via XML and HTTP. Subscribing applications can receive transactions over the Internet, enabling distributed processing across private and public networks with maximum security. The Business Component and Business Interlink APIs will enable application developers to easily plug into PeopleSoft business processes without requiring detailed knowledge of the underlying data structures or embedded business logic. www.peoplesoft.com