They are a type of data exchange in which the connection between devices exists for a short period of time, generally a few seconds. Typically, there is either a single message being sent, or a single message sent with a single response. Internet browsing consists of a large number of short duration transactions, where loading each Web page results in a TCP session setup with a Web server, the section download, and the TCP session termination. The proliferation of new transaction devices such as PDA's, transaction enabled cellular phones, and new wireless devices and appliances too numerous to list are causing an explosion in the number and type of short duration transactions. It is no longer sufficient to build proprietary, non-scalable, inflexible solutions.
Standards are vital.
Reliability and scalability are paramount. Networks must be able to support new types of transactions as markets and devices rapidly evolve. For these reasons, companies are increasingly turning to experts for their short duration transaction networking needs.