XI Time Frame

Hi,

Can anybody please detail me about the time it takes for XI developement box to be ready ( I mean planning, gathering requirements, hardware, Installation everything that needs for real development). Lets say systems landscape is SAP system communicating to 4 others 3rd payty systems outside of company boundary

And once your XI is ready for developemnt what would be the time for developing scenario's? I know its very general question...but if given:simple, medium, difficult and complex scenario's then how much time we need for each kind?

And canbody give me pros and cons of XI when compared to other EAI tools in markert today? (IBM Websphere WBI, Seebeyond/STC, TIBCO, Webmethods, MS Biztalk, BEA Weblogic).

Thank You

Navin