Mashups will create huge market

According to this article at Read Write Web, mashups will be a $700 million business by 2013.

According to Forrester, this is the definition of a mashup: "custom applications that combine multiple, disparate data sources into something new and unique."

One of the reasons that mashups will become a vital part of the future is that simple platforms such as Yahoo Pipes and other programs have allowed mashups to be created by consumers who have little or no knowledge when it comes to programming them.

Forrester also makes the assumption that mashups will hit their high point between the years of 2009-2010, and eventually fold in to IT departments by 2013. At this point, the major software manufacturers (examples: IBM and Microsoft) should have assumed most of their productions elements.

Organizations must increase their Web 2.0 awareness and capabilities now to prepare for the storm of innovation to come."