Resumen
The article focuses on the next generation of business data processing, which has evolved over the last 50 years. It took off with the widespread conversion of batch punch-card applications from accounting machines to the IBM 1401, beginning in 1959. From there users moved to online systems with terminals connected to time-sharing systems and to client-server applications. Batch processing, time-sharing systems and client-server applications are the first three business data processing generations. The fourth generation Web information systems are the rapidly growing number of business Intranets, Web-presence sites, consumer-oriented electronic commerce sites and extranets supporting business-to-business communication and commerce built with a three-tier architecture. The rapid growth of the Internet and TCP/IP-based Intranets is raising ambitions. Ironically, as Microsoft emulates early emphasis of IBM Corp. on support and proprietary features, IBM is among top leaders of companies advocating technical excellence and open standards for business data processing.