Among the first Web programming standards to come along was Java, a technology leftover from failed efforts to create interactive television in the early 1990s. Sun Microsystems Inc. reintroduced Java in 1995 as the ideal programming language for the fledgling Web. They've quickly become the preferred method for creating big e-business systems. Beans from competitors' software systems can also fit and work together, like identical bricks from different construction sites. Oracle financial software, for example, can be more easily paired with ATG customer-management software.
Beans have another big advantage.
A company can work with individual Beans instead of installing and upgrading one giant piece of software, thus avoiding the expensive hassle of big upgrades. Just pluck out the order-form Bean and upgrade it. Beans also save time. Plenty, if the interest of industry heavyweights is any indication. IBM is an aggressive backer, as is Oracle.