Advances in computer networking have allowed computer systems across the world to be interconnected. Open Distributed Processing (ODP) systems are those that support heterogenous distributed applications both within and between autonomous organizations. Many challenges must be overcome before ODP systems can be fully realized. This book describes the recent advances in the theory and practice of developing, deploying, and managing open distributed processing systems. Applications of these systems include but are not limited to telecommunications systems, medical systems, and large scale transaction processing and electronic commerce systems. All of these are currently developed on distributed platforms. Issues which are addressed in the text include: security and commerce; the trading of services; quality of service; performance; management; platform support and; system development techniques. This book compiles the proceedings of the IFIP/IEEE Joint International Conference on Open Distributed Processing and Distributed Platforms: Building and Managing Open Distributed Systems on Distributed Platforms. It was held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in May 1997.