Both IBM and BEA Systems are boosting their
service-orientated architecture (SOA) systems with new tools and
services for enterprises.
SOA is a form of application development that breaks down
business applications into services or specific types of
functionality that can be combined and re-used in a modular and
flexible way.
BEA Systems has developed a web-based tool that is designed to
quantitatively measure and benchmark a company's readiness for
pursuing SOA as its IT strategy.
Called the "BEA Service-Oriented Architecture Readiness
Self-Assessment", the tool uses a BEA SOA methodology and is
designed to provide firms with specific IT comparisons with similar
companies, to allow them to prepare their SOA roadmaps.
BEA has also expanded its SOA practice to include new consulting
and educational service offerings, to include roadmaps,
architecture design and project implementations.
IBM has further developed its SOA approach by introducing its
Service Oriented Modelling and Architecture (SOMA) platform.
SOMA, available from IBM Global Services, maps companies'
underlying applications and infrastructure with specific business
processes, in an attempt to make sure that SOA implementations
match the needs of the business.
The BEA SOA Readiness Self-Assessment tool can be found at:
www.bea.com/soa/assessment
