Book excerpt: 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 systems. Applications of these systems include but are not limited to telecommunication, medical and large scale transaction processing and electronic commerce systems. All of these are currently developed on distributed platforms. For anybody working in industry or research in this field, Open Distributed Processing and Distributed Platforms will prove an invaluable text.