Compiled ByTonya Vinas An increasing need to integrate enterprise systems within value chains will drive substantial growth in the Enterprise Integration (EI) market, according to a recent study by the ARC Advisory Group, a research, planning and advisory group in Dedham, Mass. The global EI market, which had software and services revenues of $3.9 billion in 2000, will reach $4.8 billion in 2001 and grow to more than $11 billion by 2006, according ARC. This represents a 21% growth in 2001 and a 20% compound annual growth rate through 2006. In manufacturing industries, companies need to accommodate new business models where supply-chain management techniques, partner relationships, customer service and other factors make external integration a requirement. "The benefits of collaboration and consistent business processes have raised integration planning to a strategic level, beyond automating and connecting," says ARC Vice President Bob Mick, the author of the study. "This has stimulated interest in integration architectures, technologies, and products to provide consistent methods for leveraging all available resources, including those internal and external to the enterprise."