Strategic approach to integrate BAPI with SAP XI

Dear All,

To integrate BAPI with XI, we could do it in 2 ways. either as an RFC or a Web Service depending on the R/3 version. However I would like to know what is SAPs strategy towards this integration? I am hearing different feedback from different people, which I would like to confirm it from here.

Could you help me in knowing SAP directions towards this integration?

Thanks,

Krishna