The latest marketing phrase out of Redmond is ".NET Connected Apps," which means--what?

You have to understand why Microsoft developed the .NET Framework—it was to build communications into the development platform—specifically, Web services—program-to-program communications over the Internet.

And so far it's working. The push for developers to adopt Visual Studio .NET so they can make use of those capabilities has been very successful. Most Visual Basic programmers have made the move. And most companies are now at least fooling around with Web services—exploring, converting some intranet applications, moving beyond pilot programs.

But it's not working fast enough. Research from analyst firms like IDC and Giga predict the Web services market will grow to $27 to $30 billion by the year 2010. Twenty-seven billion???

OK, time to get serious. Commercial developers, ISVs, consultants, systems integrators who aren't already feverishly developing connected apps have to catch up; corporate developers are in a good position to take advantage of the commercial products as well as kicking their own development of Web services into high gear.

The "Connected System Development With Microsoft .NET" Tech Seminar Roadshow
What you need to know to boost your Web services development, you'll find in this new Microsoft U.S. one-day technical seminar, running April through June, aimed at developers, subtitled "Using Service Oriented Architecture to maneuver in a constantly changing technology landscape. " We got you a good price. And we also got you a cute tchochka for showing up: a free Portable Tech Kit, which includes a mini optical mouse, a USB 4 port hub, and a USB port cell phone charger and carrying case.

Get the cities, the agenda, and the special DevX—Microsoft Portal price!

Web services, properly used, make it possible for you to deploy more reliable solutions, faster, and at lower cost. It can reduce the time and trouble of integration. It can improve security for your users or clients. It can reduce common bugs. It can be set up to let you control and deliver updates and patches a heck of a lot easier.

The class gives you a detailed overview of the various factors that go into delivering this handy miracle to you: a design roadmap for building connected apps; a walkthrough of the various technology choices that present themselves; all about security issues unique to this type of programming; all about building Web Portals with Windows SharePoint Services; integration with ASP.NET Web servicews framework (ASMX) and Microsoft Web Servics Enhamcements (WSE 2.0); a module on BizTalk integration and HIS; a module on ADO.NET, the data access interface in the .NET Framework; all about the wonders of Smart Clients; a look at Visual Studio Tools for Office (VSTO) and its new powers; and finally, a module on deployment and management.

You'll learn a ton in a very short time. It's worth checking out. Sign up. Heck, bring your whole crew.