Today, the Internet, Internet technology and standards have matured to the point that effective coordination and mass integration between trading partners is now achievable and affordable. Moreover, the advent of industry specific and technical standards are easing the extension of today's enterprises by lowering the barriers to connecting disparate business applications both within and across corporate boundaries, enabling businesses to substantially reduce costs, create new revenue opportunities, and provide greater convenience, choice and control for consumers.

This white paper discusses these issues in depth and explains the role of federated identity in general.