Service technology -- from SOA to cloud to IT service management -- promises many "-ilities": greater agility, flexibility, and reusability. Joe McKendrick explores the challenges and opportunities with service orientation, and how to capitalize on these emerging computing philosophies.
Joe McKendrick is an author, consultant and speaker specializing in trends and developments shaping the technology industry.
Beware of vendors claiming to use open standards. Pat Thibodeau, writing in ComputerWorld, describes some end-user brushes with vendors hawking Web services applications that are actually proprietary underneath the covers.
One of the most interesting aspects of the Web services wave is the recognition that it will require new, cross-functionalroles and positions. Indeed, some commentators have offered usinsightful views on what these new roles might be.
Web services and SOA have enormous potential to make our businesses more productive and agile. However, vendors need to start doing a better job of explaining to us why Web services can make a difference, and what parts of Web services really matter.
It's an interesting time to cast our eyes on the world of Web services. IDC forecasts that global spending on such projects will rise from $1.