IBM® WebSphere® Application Server, V6.1 is the foundation of the IBM WebSphere software platform, and a key building block for a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). As the premier Java™ 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE™) and Web services application platform, WebSphere Application Server V6.1 delivers a high performance transaction engine that can help you build, run, integrate and manage dynamic, On Demand Business™ applications.

As the core configuration of the WebSphere Application Server family, WebSphere Application Server is optimized to ease administration in a scalable, single-server deployment environment. This configuration is recommended for organizations that need to build and deploy stand-alone, departmental applications and Web services, but don't require failure bypass or workload-distribution options. WebSphere Application Server supports an unparalleled range of platforms and can be deployed on servers of any size. New and enhanced features deliver the flexible, open, resilient application infrastructure you need for an SOA:

Simple, rapid development and deployment WebSphere Application Server, V6.1 helps you improve time to value and make the most of existing technology skills, with easy-to-use features designed to get you to production quickly.

- Get up and running quickly and easily. WebSphere Application Server, V6.1 delivers a range of features to help ensure fast and smooth start-up, such as single-step installation and configuration, wizards and default configurations, and easy to navigate documentation that includes extensive use of sample code.
- Minimize development cycle time. WebSphere Application Server, V6.1 offers features to help you maximize skills, assets and time, including pre-built functions for use within Web User Interfaces and an improved Application Server Toolkit with new automation tools, basic assembly tools for creating new Web applications, Web services and portlets, and a comprehensive unit test environment.
- Easy to use and deploy. WebSphere Application Server V6.1 helps simplify the deployment experience via the rapid deployment feature and enhancements such as install by non-root/non-administrator users. Significant improvements in developer productivity can be gained from IBM's implementation of J2SE™ 5 and tight integration with IBM Rational® tools.

A Secure, Scalable, Highly Available SOA Runtime Environment
WebSphere Application Server V6.1 provides a secure, scalable and reliable environment for your applications and services to execute in. Using the scaling abilities and resilient security features of WebSphere Application Server can help businesses do more work with less resources.

- Rest assured, applications and data are secure from attack. WebSphere Application Server V6.1 delivers an open standards-based security infrastructure that will remove vulnerable threats while maximizing developer productivity. Out-of-the-box security configurations and user registry, compliance with government standards, and stringent Web services security give ultimate peace-of-mind.
- Run your applications where it makes sense for you. WebSphere Application Server V6.1 supports the broadest range of platforms in the industry, helping provide assurance that your applications can be built to run on the platform that most makes sense for your business.
- Keep pace with a constantly changing environment. WebSphere Application Server V6.1 delivers unbeatable performance that will drive high throughput and scalability with JDK 5 enhancements and improved cache off-loading.
- Expand in response to evolving business needs. WebSphere Application Server V6.1 provides a flexible deployment environment that enables your business to grow at the pace and cost structure required.

Extensive Communication Services
WebSphere Application Server V6.1 helps you improve the flexibility of your business and increase return on investment by making your application services more reusable and accessible to new users, in new ways.

- Compelling new ways to interact. WebSphere Application Server V6.1 supports Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) servlets to offer standardized support for interactive user sessions that involve real-time multimedia elements such as voice, video, instant messaging and online games.
- Re-use existing assets and extend their reach. WebSphere Application Server V6.1 delivers extensive Web services support and a powerful Java Messaging Service (JMS) engine to help you extend the reach of your existing applications and maximize asset utilization. New Web services standards, including WS-Business Activity, WS-Notification and WS-I Basic Security Profile, help you more securely extend your reach, and give better application portability and control.
- Extend services to the most heterogeneous environments. WebSphere Application Server Version 6.1 interoperates seamlessly with WebSphere MQ and is tightly integrated with WebSphere ESB. As a result, you can combine these products to form a powerful Enterprise Service Bus that can integrate the most diverse applications and environments.

Effective application management
WebSphere Application Server, V6.1 empowers you to direct your IT budget at beating competitors to market and not at maintaining existing infrastructure. Reduce the costs of managing your environment, with effective, easy-to-use management tools.

- Simple Administration and Maintenance. WebSphere Application Server, V6.1 provides features to maximize the efficiency of managing the deployment environment with a new console command assistant, easier security configuration and database connectivity, wizards and a stand-alone thin administration client.
- Effective ecosystem for self-help and guidance. WebSphere Application Server, V6.1 offers extensive documentation, education and self-help tools like the IBM Support Assistant, as well as a skilled and accessible partner and user community to help you.