Governance

ZapThink explores the four stages of SOA governance that lead to business agility

By admin ⋅ November 16, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

For several years now, ZapThink has spoken about SOA governance “in the narrow” vs. SOA governance” in the broad.” SOA governance in the narrow refers to governance of the SOA initiative, and focuses primarily on the service lifecycle.

When vendors try to sell you SOA governance gear, they’re typically talking about SOA governance in the narrow. SOA governance in the broad, in contrast, refers to IT governance in the SOA context. In other words, how will SOA help with IT governance (and by extension, corporate governance) once your SOA initiative is up and running?

In both our Licensed ZapThink Architect Boot Camp as well as our newer SOA and Cloud Governance Course, we also point out how governance typically involves human communication-centric activities like architecture reviews, human management, and people deciding to comply with policies. We point out this human context for governance to contrast it to the technology context that inevitably becomes the focus of SOA governance in the narrow. There is an important technology-centric SOA governance story to be told, of course, as long as it’s placed into the greater governance context.

One question we haven’t yet addressed in depth, however, is how these two contrasts – narrow vs. broad, human vs. technology – fit together. Taking a closer look, there’s an important trend taking shape, as organizations mature their approach to SOA governance, and with it, the overall SOA effort. Following this trend to its natural conclusion highlights some important facts about SOA, and can help organizations understand where they want to end up as their SOA initiative reaches its highest levels of maturity.

The Four Stages of SOA Governance

By Jason Bloomberg ⋅ November 12, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

For several years now, ZapThink has spoken about SOA Governance “in the narrow” vs. SOA governance “in the broad.” SOA governance in the narrow refers to governance of the SOA initiative, and focuses primarily on the Service lifecycle. When vendors try to sell you SOA governance gear, they’re typically talking …

ZapThink Announces Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) Events in Sydney, Australia

By admin ⋅ October 20, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

ZapThink Announces Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) Events in Sydney, Australia

SOA Certification and Training, Networking, and Governance Events January 2010

BALTIMORE, MD October 21, 2009 — ZapThink today announces the opening of registration for three separate Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Enteprise Architecture (EA) training, certification, and networking events in Sydney, Australia, running from January 11, 2010 to January 19, 2010.

“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.”

Courses, certification, and networking offered include:

In the 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 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.

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 the events, visit http://bit.ly/ctIJ. 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.

ZapThink Announces Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) Training in Washington, DC

By admin ⋅ October 20, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

ZapThink Announces Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) Training in Washington, DC

Licensed ZapThink Architect (LZA) Boot Camp to Run February 1-4, 2010

BALTIMORE, MD October 14, 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 February 1-4, 2010 in Washington, DC (http://bit.ly/vw7WQ).

“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 Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC SOA Boot Camp will be held from February 1-4, 2010. Register at http://bit.ly/vw7WQ.

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/vw7WQ. 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.

Media Alert: WebLayers and ZapThink to Discuss the Effectiveness of Governance in Federal Enterprise Architectures in Free, Live Webinar

By admin ⋅ October 15, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

As part of its on-going educational webinar series, WebLayers and ZapThink will host, “Boosting the Effectiveness of Federal Enterprise Architectures.” This free, live webinar is designed specifically for IT managers, architects and developers in the federal government that are interested in learning more about the role of governance within their agency infrastructure.

As part of the live roundtable, attendees will discuss the business and technical value of governance, designing an architecture that boosts productivity and adheres to the Clinger-Cohen Act, and how to use governance to support industry standards such as FEAF, DoDAF, TOFAF, SCA, and SCO.

WHO: Ron Karas, director of technical services, WebLayers
Jan Wolff, Senior Account Executive
Ron Schmelzer, managing partner, ZapThink

WHAT: Live educational webinar followed by audience Q&A

WHEN: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. EDT

Registration is required to participate in the webinar. For more information, please visit: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/283424362

Enterprise Mashups

By Jason Bloomberg ⋅ October 7, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Presentation for Eli Lilly IT conference, October 2009.

Enterprise Mashups and how they leverage both SOA and governance.

22-slide PowerPoint presentation in pdf format.

Does Cloud Computing Hold Water?

By Jason Bloomberg ⋅ October 7, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Presentation for Eli Lilly’s IT conference, October 2007.

Introduction to Cloud Computing and its relationship to SOA from a skeptical viewpoint.

21-slide PowerPoint presentation in pdf format.

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

By admin ⋅ October 6, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

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 December 8-11, 2009 in London (http://bit.ly/180Csy).

“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 London 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 London SOA Boot Camp will be held from December 8-11, 2009. Register at: http://bit.ly/OYJdN

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/OYJdN . 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.

Summa and ZapThink SOA Events

By admin ⋅ October 6, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Summa is sponsoring two upcoming ZapThink SOA events.

The first event is a networking and panel discussion of SOA Experts (including Jason Bloomberg, David Linthicum, Summa’s own Jason Armstrong and others.) It is October 1 in Washington DC (Tyson’s Corner). More details are here:

The second event is in Pittsburgh on October 22nd – focused on SOA and modernization featuring project case studies from CMU ahd Highmark. More detail and registration information are here.

ZapThink Announces Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) Training in Boston, MA

By admin ⋅ September 29, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

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 26-29, 2009 in Boston, MA.

“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 Boston 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 Boston SOA Boot Camp will be held from October 26-29, 2009. Register at www.//bit.ly/izbIZ.

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://www.//bit.ly/izbIZ. 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.

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