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SOA

Technologies and Tools

SOA is not a technology, but actually an architectural style or paradigm that will facilitate the implementation of both EAI and B2B. In The Server Labs we believe that SOA is a new way of thinking, working and defining software. It is a live strategy, and consequently has to be well designed and governed, to become usable and maintainable.  If proper governance and a solid technical architecture are defined for SOA, we will reap off the benefits throughout each project launched in the organisation.

SOA is based on elements called Services, which are self-contained modules that are universally accessible and advertise their interface contracts via a registry. Interfaces hide implementation details and services communicate by exchanging documents rather than by invoking methods directly on another service. This is why SOA is said to be loosely coupled versus the previous trend of distributed systems. With Web Services, SOA is easily implemented, although it can be constructed with other technologies.

One of the most important actions to implement SOA is to have a clear governance model. Otherwise, SOA would be only a good idea, but unusable. The governance model ensures that all services are implemented and utilised according to the standards and policies agreed and planned in the architecture model defined by the Architecture group. It defines the relationship between the services and the business needs, the management of the services, the change request procedures, the funding, the rules, the access rights etc.

At The Server Labs we recommend an iterative or incremental approach for the SOA implementation. This means, the SOA initiative is launched with a selected project or business need; once finished, we can know if SOA is the right approach, and from there, SOA can be implemented incorporating more needs, more projects and hence more services. A Waterfall model is not a viable approach to SOA, but a more agile development methodology is required. Tactical approaches minimise the analysis time, are more aligned with the business and keep management happy and sponsoring the SOA initiative for the organisation.

Consequently, The Server Labs´ SOA services comprise an SOA jumpstart, to evaluate the viability of SOA for our business, while selecting a representative project and evaluating technology, and after that, incremental SOA implementation projects.

SOA governance would be a separate activity, performed in parallel and from the moment the initiative has been jumpstarted. However, an iterative approach to governance is also recommended, because it educates the organisation into its acceptance and prevents political issues and power games between IT and business.  
To embrace the SOA paradigm seems like a daunting task. But it isn’t if approached tactically and governance is in place. The Server Labs´s can play the role of SOA centre of excellence and will guide you through the process to guarantee the success of your SOA initiative.

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