[b]META Trend: [/b]
[i]Identity management and security needs will cause an increase in enterprise directory services adoption through 2004, as existing federated directories drive more provisioning and directory integration tool use.
As more IT organizations deploy identity management solutions, some early lessons have been learned about the planning, implementation, and operations of those services.
Enterprise/extranet directory distinctions will blur through 2005 and beyond, as internal/external identity needs converge. Directory use for some application authorization roles will increase as directory functionality expands.
XML will enable component databases (as next-generation directories) and better integration capability (2006-08).[/i]