Kelman also said there would be a new messaging function in the Apex platform called ConnectOut. This tool will allow the Salesforce.com applications to automatically send out notifications to external third-party business and middleware applications to enable complete workflows. The ConnectOut tool will be offered as part of Salesforce.com's standard winter 2007 release.

A couple of Salesforce.com customers were enthusiastic about the ApexConnect announcements. Joe Graves, IT director at Stratus Technologies Inc., said the integration efforts will expand the AppExchange program and help generate a wider set of ideas among developers. Maynard, Mass.-based Stratus, which makes fault-tolerant servers, runs Saleforce.com's applications as part of its lead-generation and sales processes.

Graves noted that AppExchange requires a buyer to deal with individual software developers -- not just Salesforce.com. And that is a downside, he said.

While Stratus currently uses Oracle 10.7 ERP software and is upgrading to 11i, it already has a custom-built application programming interface connecting Oracle to Salesforce.com. It works so well, said Graves, that there would have to be a special reason to purchase ConnectOracle.

This initiative will permit broad integration with legacy and third-party applications, said Denis Pombriant, analyst at consultancy Beagle Research Group LLC, based in Stoughton, Mass. Not only will it deliver native connectors to SAP and Oracle, but also to middleware platforms and applications crafted with Salesforce.com's own development tools.