![]() SOA service offerings
Vendors have decided the buzz over service-oriented architecture is ripe for the plucking. While trying to sell a product that may not be oriented toward the SOA, vendors are increasingly offering services such as SOA readiness evaluation, development and management. But experts warn that an architecture built on services isn't delivered as software, so for any offered SOA service, the buyer must beware. | Questions to ask about SOA service offerings: - How much experience do you have implementing SOA? After you hear the product pitch, request client references similar to your situation to make sure the vendor can deliver SOA beyond implementing its specific product set.
- Are you certified in implementing best-practice processes? Most of SOA is architecture and processes, not technology. Vendors must know more than how to install integration middleware or an enterprise service bus.
- How are you going to equip me to maintain my SOA going forward? Whether it be engineering, training or process certification, IT shops will need tools to evolve, maintain and manage their SOA. An SOA is not a one-off project that a vendor can wrap up in a consulting engagement.
- What work are you doing with standards? SOA depends upon disparate components integrating on the fly. While vendor-specific wares and integration platforms can help, the ultimate goal is for interoperability via standards.
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