ALE vs XI

Hi All.

We are currently in 4.6c version and are looking to upgrade to Netweaver.

We have two SAP HR systems currently talking through ALE.

Now, my question is that do we really need XI to communicate between the two systems both of which are SAP ?

Can't we continue with the current ALE technology even in the Netweaver ?

Also, one of the SAP Sales' person said that XI is going to replace ALE soon, and that ALE support shall soon end. Is this statement true? Is XI really set to replace ALE?

In a nutshell, is it advisable to revamp our existing ALE process and use XI when we upgrade to Netweaver?

Thanks in adv.

Samant