New to SAML

Hi..All,

   I am new to SAML & till now only gone through the documents available on 
the net for SAML. I still have few questions :

1. Once a artifact is send by the company1(Sender) to company2(Receiver), 
how do you read/decipher it on your end.? What tools do you use or are there 
any sample codes available to download?

2. As a receiver does the company has to use any product to be SAML 
enabled.?

Any pointers/suggestions are welcome.

Regards,

P