SOAは死んだのか？ ZapThinkフォーラムレポート（米・ボストン）

2009年7月23日、米ボストン周辺にてSOA、EAコンサルタントのためのイベント「ZapThinkフォーラム」が開催された。今回は、「SOAはもう死んだのか？」をテーマに熱い議論が繰り広げられた。本稿では、その概要をお伝えする。
ビールを片手にSOAを語り合う

　 2009年7月23日、米ボストン周辺のSOA、EAコンサルタント達が、恒例のZapThinkフォーラムに参加すべく「M.J.O’Conner’s Irish Pub」の一室に集合した。このフォーラムは、SOA、Web Service、EAなどのコンサルティングに携わる人々の相互交流を目的としたもの。一般的なフォーラムと違って飲食店において立食形式で行われるほか、一方的な講義形式ではなく参加者全員が同じ立場で意見交換できるなど独特の工夫が凝らされている。普段は演壇の上でしか見たことのないような著名人とビールを片手に話せる環境が魅力的なイベントだ。

Read more at: EnterpriseZine (Japan)

DoD’s Net-Centricity approach moves SOA into battle formation

ZapThink recently conducted our Licensed ZapThink Architect Bootcamp course for a branch of the United States Department of Defense (DoD). As it happens, an increasing proportion of our US-based business is for the DoD, which is perfectly logical, given the strategic nature Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) plays for the DoD.

SOA is so strategic, in fact, that SOA underlies how the DoD expects to achieve its mission in the 21st century – namely, defending US interests by presenting the most powerful military presence on the globe. Furthermore, the story of how SOA became so strategic for the DoD provides insight into the power of SOA for all organizations, both in the public and private sector.

This story begins with the issue of complexity. The DoD, as you might imagine, is an organization of astounding complexity, perhaps the most complex organization in the world, save the US Federal Government itself, of which the DoD is indubitably the most complex part.

Read more at: ZDNet Blogs

Open Group releases SOA adoption and governance standards

Jason Bloomberg, managing partner at analysis firm ZapThink, added, “The Open Group Service Integration Maturity Model was in large part contributed by IBM and includes some IBM-centric content, but The Open Group has done a good job evolving it to be a useful, vendor-neutral tool for helping organizations measure their architectural maturity.”

Many SOA maturity models come from software vendors and are little more than software sales tools, said Bloomberg. “ZapThink has found the ones from consulting organizations to be better aligned with enterprise needs.”

Read more at: SD Times

Net-Centricity: SOA in Battle

ZapThink recently conducted our Licensed ZapThink Architect Bootcamp course for a branch of the United States Department of Defense (DoD). As it happens, an increasing proportion of our US-based business is for the DoD, which is perfectly logical, given the strategic nature Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) plays for the DoD. …

BriefingsDirect analysts discuss Software AG-IDS Scheer acquisition and lackluster prospects for Google Chrome OS

Will the popularity of devices like netbooks and smartphones accelerate the obsolescence of full-fledged fat clients, and what can Google hope to do further to move the market away from powerhouse Microsoft? Who is the David and who is the Goliath in this transition from software plus services to software for services?

Here to help us better understand Software AG’s latest acquisition bid and the impact of the Google Chrome OS are our analysts this week. We are here with Jim Kobielus, senior analyst at Forrester Research; Tony Baer, senior analyst at Ovum; Brad Shimmin, principal analyst at Current Analysis; Jason Bloomberg, managing partner at ZapThink; JP Morgenthal, independent analyst and IT consultant; and Joe McKendrick, independent analyst and ZDNet and SOA blogger.

Read more at: ZDNet Blogs

ZapThink Announces Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) Training in Dubai

ZapThink Announces Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) Training in Dubai
Licensed ZapThink Architect (LZA) Boot Camp to Run November 2-5, 2009

BALTIMORE, MD August 17, 2009 — ZapThink today announces the opening of registration for its four-day Licensed ZapThink Architect (LZA) Boot Camp, providing in-depth, hands-on training and certification on Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and taught by notable SOA expert Jason Bloomberg. The LZA SOA Boot Camp will run from November 2-5, 2009 in Dubai, U.A.E. (http://).

“Companies are tired of all the hype surrounding Web Services and SOAs, and are finding it difficult to learn what they really need to know from vendor-centric conferences and training,” said Ronald Schmelzer, senior analyst with ZapThink, LLC. “IT professionals want to learn from their peers about what it really takes to put together a well-designed SOA, and desire third-party credentials to assert their SOA knowledge. The Licensed ZapThink Analyst boot camps give Enterprise Architecture practitioners the SOA education and credentials they’ve been waiting for.”

In this four-day SOA training course (http://), attendees will get hands-on experience and expertise in how to implement the latest SOA best practices and methods. Learn about Service modeling, Service domains, SOA infrastructure planning, SOA testing, SOA Quality, Governance, and Management, developing a SOA Roadmap, SOA ROI and Business Planning, SOA Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and metrics, SOA security and performance optimization, SOA policy management, Composite Services and Business Process, Service-Oriented Business Applications (SOBA), and Mashups. Hear about notable SOA security case studies and get hands-on guidance in making SOA work. And, once you complete this course you will become a credentialed Licensed ZapThink Architect.

The ZapThink LZA SOA training and certification program in Dubai offers the following benefits:

• An annual credential that allows ZapThink to endorse individual enterprise architects as having specific SOA skills
• Posting onto an LZA Directory that enables companies to research and locate architects to assist with their SOA-specific needs
• Opportunity to contribute to ZapThink’s online research and content
• Participation in exclusive annual LZA-only conferences, events and activities.

The LZA Dubai SOA Boot Camp will be held from November 2-5, 2009. Register at: http://bit.ly/aheCZ

Increasingly, individuals like are looking to get the backing of a qualified third-party organization that can endorse their existing SOA skills as well as enable continuous improvement, enhanced networking with those looking for architecture resources, or enhance their current SOA-enabled careers. Through its LZA program, ZapThink is filling the unmet need for knowledge and credentials in this area.

For more information and to register for an LZA Boot camp, visit http://bit.ly/aheCZ . Early bird discounts are available for a limited time. Seats are limited to only 45 people per LZA boot camp, and ZapThink expects certain boot camp dates and locations to sell out.

Read more at: ZapThink

ZapThink Announces Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) Training in Omaha

ZapThink Announces Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) Training in Omaha
Licensed ZapThink Architect (LZA) Boot Camp to Run October 5-8, 2009

BALTIMORE, MD August 13, 2009 — ZapThink today announces the opening of registration for its four-day Licensed ZapThink Architect (LZA) Boot Camp, providing in-depth, hands-on training and certification on Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and taught by notable SOA expert Jason Bloomberg. The LZA SOA Boot Camp will run from October 5-8, 2009 in Omaha, NE.

“Companies are tired of all the hype surrounding Web Services and SOAs, and are finding it difficult to learn what they really need to know from vendor-centric conferences and training,” said Ronald Schmelzer, senior analyst with ZapThink, LLC. “IT professionals want to learn from their peers about what it really takes to put together a well-designed SOA, and desire third-party credentials to assert their SOA knowledge. The Licensed ZapThink Analyst boot camps give Enterprise Architecture practitioners the SOA education and credentials they’ve been waiting for.”

In this four-day SOA training course, attendees will get hands-on experience and expertise in how to implement the latest SOA best practices and methods. Learn about Service modeling, Service domains, SOA infrastructure planning, SOA testing, SOA Quality, Governance, and Management, developing a SOA Roadmap, SOA ROI and Business Planning, SOA Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and metrics, SOA security and performance optimization, SOA policy management, Composite Services and Business Process, Service-Oriented Business Applications (SOBA), and Mashups. Hear about notable SOA security case studies and get hands-on guidance in making SOA work. And, once you complete this course you will become a credentialed Licensed ZapThink Architect.

The ZapThink LZA SOA training and certification program in Omaha offers the following benefits:

• An annual credential that allows ZapThink to endorse individual enterprise architects as having specific SOA skills
• Posting onto an LZA Directory that enables companies to research and locate architects to assist with their SOA-specific needs
• Opportunity to contribute to ZapThink’s online research and content
• Participation in exclusive annual LZA-only conferences, events and activities.

The LZA Omaha SOA Boot Camp will be held from October 5-8, 2009. Register at: http://bit.ly/rDTGa

Increasingly, individuals like are looking to get the backing of a qualified third-party organization that can endorse their existing SOA skills as well as enable continuous improvement, enhanced networking with those looking for architecture resources, or enhance their current SOA-enabled careers. Through its LZA program, ZapThink is filling the unmet need for knowledge and credentials in this area.

For more information and to register for an LZA Boot camp, visit http://bit.ly/rDTGa . Early bird discounts are available for a limited time. Seats are limited to only 45 people per LZA boot camp, and ZapThink expects certain boot camp dates and locations to sell out.

Read more at: ZapThink

ZapThink Hosts Practical Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Enterprise Architecture (EA) event in Washington, DC

ZapThink Hosts Practical Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Enterprise Architecture (EA) event in Washington, DC
Focus on Cost-Effective Legacy Modernization & Data Management

BALTIMORE, MD, August 11, 2009 — ZapThink announces today the availability of its upcoming Practical Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Enterprise Architecture (EA) morning seminar event, running on October 2, 2009 in Washington, DC. The event features speakers, best practices, case studies, and lessons learned on how to implement cost-effective legacy modernization and data management strategies in the context of the latest enterprise architecture initiatives. The Practical SOA event series is targeted at companies and individuals looking for practical business case studies and value propositions for SOA, those who want to learn the latest best practices for making SOA a success, those looking to hear from successful architects about their SOA efforts, want to learn from peers about what it takes to put together a successful SOA, and/or want to take their SOA efforts to the next level.

“Companies are looking for practical solutions to their SOA and EA challenges,” said Ronald Schmelzer, Managing Partner with ZapThink, LLC. “Practical SOA events give Enterprise Architecture practitioners, consulting firms, and vendors, the best practices and practical implementation knowledge they are seeking by hearing from other architects and getting hands-on instruction on particular SOA and EA challenges.”

Sponsors and presenters at the upcoming Practical SOA & EA event in Washington, DC on October 2, 2009 include:

• Dan Finerty, DataDirect
• Jason Bloomberg, ZapThink

At the morning event, which runs from 8AM to 12noon PT, attendees will hear about the following topics:

• Make SOA work in the context of legacy systems
• Learn how to involve the mainframe in the context of SOA
• Learn about methods for dealing with “legacy” data and composing heterogeneous data in a SOA environment
• Returning Value with a Data Service Layer
• Legacy, Data, and the Cloud

For more information and to register for this Practical SOA event, visit http://bit.ly/2Ty0ZU. Cost is just $29 to attend. Seats are limited and ZapThink expects Practical SOA events to sell out.

Read more at: ZapThink

BriefingsDirect analysts debate the ‘imminent death’ of enterprise IT as cloud models ascend

Some of the analyst reports these days indicate that hundreds of billions of dollars in IT spending will soon pass through the doors of corporate IT and into the arms of various cloud-service providers. We might conclude that IT is indeed about to expire.

Not all of us, however, subscribe to this extent in the pace of the demise of on-premises systems, their ongoing upkeep, maintenance, and support. To help us better understand the actual future role of IT on the actual floors inside of actual companies, we’re joined by our guests and analysts this week: Jim Kobielus, senior analyst at Forrester Research; Tony Baer, senior analyst at Ovum; Brad Shimmin, principal analyst at Current Analysis; Ron Schmelzer, senior analyst, ZapThink; Sandy Rogers, former program director at IDC, and now independent IT analyst and consultant, and, as our guest this week, Alex Neihaus, vice president of marketing at Active Endpoints.

Read more at: ZDNet

Understanding the Value of Reference Architectures

There’s nothing more that architects love to do than argue about definitions. If you ever find yourself with idle time in a room of architects, try asking for a definition of “Service” or “architecture” and see what sort of creative melee you can start. That being said, definitions are indeed …