Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA): A Planning and Implementation Guide for Business and Technology (Hardcover)

~ (Author), (Author) "Service-oriented architecture (SOA) is a concept whose time has come..." (more)
Key Phrases: integration process flow, account view service, enabling technology solutions, New York, Business Iteration Model Source, Conversion Use (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In the end, SOA, delivers what is the first and perhaps most comprehensive road map yet for IT executives, team leaders and developers, whether they are in the business field or government." (Public CIO, October 2006)

Review

"This book provides a superb overview of the SOA topic. Marks and Bell provide practical guidance across the entire SOA life cycle—from business imperatives and motivations to the post-deployment business and technical metrics to consider. With this book, Marks and Bell demonstrate a unique ability to take the complex dynamics of SOA, and through an eloquent set of metaphors, models, and principles, provide an understandable and insightful how-to manual for both technical and business executives. This will become a required handbook for any organization implementing SOA."
—Dan Bertrand, Enterprise Technology Officer & EDS Fellow, EDS Corporation

"A fundamental breakthrough in the business and technology perspectives of SOA—this book belongs in every software developer, architect, and IT executive library. Marks and Bell demonstrate a creative and practical approach to building complex, service-oriented systems. I especially liked the hands-on perspective brought to multiple aspects of SOA. A must-have guide in the technology turbulence of the future."
—Ariel Aloni, Chief Technology Officer, SunGard Data Management Solutions

"This outstanding text gets straight to the heart of the matter, cutting through the hyperbole and discussing how to drive real business value through SOA. It will certainly impact my behavior, our governance models, and, subsequently, the successful business outcomes we derive as we continue to embrace SOA. A must-read for battle-scarred SOA veterans and fledgling architects alike."
—Christopher Crowhurst, Vice President and Chief Architect, Thomson Learning

"Too often, SOA has been perceived as 'all about the technology'—standards, technology stacks, operational monitoring, and the like. In this book, Marks and Bell expand beyond the technology to provide a refreshing business-driven perspective to SOA, connecting the dots between business requirements, architecture, and development and operations, and overlaying these perspectives with tried-and-true governance techniques to keep SOA initiatives on track. A must-read for those leading the charge to adopt SOA within their enterprise."
—Brent Carlson, Chief Technology Officer, LogicLibrary and coauthor of SanFrancisco Design Patterns: Blueprints for Business Software

"Marks and Bell have captured a wealth of practical experience and lessons learned in what has become the hottest topic in software development. In this book, they explain in detail what works and what does not, from procedural issues to technical challenges. This book is an invaluable reference for organizations seeking the benefits of SOAs."
—Dr. Jeffrey S. Poulin, System Architect, Lockheed Martin and author of Measuring Software Reuse: Principles, Practices, and Economic Models

"One of the last things companies often consider when implementing a business solution such as SOA is the impact on people. Marks and Bell provide an in-depth look at 'what has to change' from a process standpoint to make any SOA implementation a success. A great read for those considering to embark on an enterprise SOA and looking for the right mix of people, process, and products."
—Alan Himler, Vice President of Product Management and Marketing, LogicLibrary

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (April 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471768944
• ISBN-13: 978-0471768944
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #393,381 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Explaining the Basic Concepts, June 6, 2006

By	John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A surprising amount of the spending for information technology in virtually all organizations is spent on supporting, updating, integrating, or otherwise maintaining legacy systems. SOA is an attempt to define a generalized group of services oriented 'objects' (for lack of a better term) that have a well defined interface and output that is oriented to provide a business orjective.

Most books on SOA (do a search at Amazon) tend to be oriented around the web and the transfer of information between computers using various web protocols, especially SOAP and RSS. In essence these are putting the details before the concepts.

This is a book on the concepts, it is what we are trying to do with SOA more than the details of how to do it. It is more concerned with good business practices rather the details of implementation. It is particularly good at refraining from recommending any particular vendor or technology.

A question you have to ask yourself is, 'Is now the time?' The authors say yes, that despite the history of attempts like CORBA, COM/DCOM, etc. there is now enough industry momentum behind current techniques that it is clearly time for you to get started. This is one of those places where it is easy to predict the future, it is harder to get it right.

Still, I think the broad concepts brought out here will last, even if the details of the implementation do not. And these concepts is what this book is about.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent !!, June 22, 2006

By	Ray Hennessey (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

In order to complete any jigsaw puzzle, you normally need to refer to the picture on the box.

This book provides the SOA picture with amazing common-sense clarity (thereby facilitating the puzzle).

I currently run Operational Risk and SOX Technology Development for a top-tier Investment Bank in New York - this book contains invaluable information, tips and techniques - I thoroughly recommend it.

Hearty Congratulations to the authors and Thank You for a very decent read!!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book to Help Managers and Technologists Talk About SOA, November 20, 2006

By	Michael A. Sick (Jacksonville, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Before discussing the substance of "Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA): A Planning and Implementation Guide for Business and Technology", its worth noting that the style of the book makes the underlying content accessible to both technologists and managers alike. The writing style is clear, compact, and full of visual aids and the entire book respects the reader's time. As for substance, the strongest feature of the book is the discussion of SOA within a business context. Architects who read the book will be better able to work with their managers to set an effective SOA strategy, augment their technology governance for SOA, and address common management fears about investing in a SOA strategy. Managers that read the book will be able to develop a practical vision of the potential benefits of SOA for their business, the likely technical and organization challenges that will be encountered, and some practical steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of SOA implementation. If your company has some web service activity but lacks an overall SOA strategy and governance model, I highly recommend the book.

Michael Sick, Enterprise Architect, Serene Software