Early SaaS deployments either  deployed workstation based adapters or  avoided the thorny subject of host application  integration as a whole. In the  new SOA world with the right levels of  network connectivity and security, the  SaaS option for more comprehensive  application integration becomes more  viable.  Additionally, we have seen the  development of outsourcing and  offshoring operations that have managed  technology logistics through the  use of VPN or dedicated networks. 

If business potential truly exists for  concepts such as mass collaboration and  ‘crowdsourcing’, secure service-based access  to organisations’ systems of record  will need to become more common.  Techniques will need to be developed to  ‘anonomise’ human tasks so that secure  information is not compromised. The  use of process management and SOA  technologies will need to evolve to support  these and other potential trends  in both customer expectations and  workforce deployment.