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SOA and Process Integration - A Reality? |
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I've just read a briefing on SOA (Service Oriented Architecture) from a service I subscribe to. It was talking about the concept and benefits of SOA. To be honest, I found this to be just more talk at this stage of the game. You see, I've been on this journey for ten years!
- before 2000, I was designing virtual business objects and integrated processes, and explaining the benefits to management
- in 2000, I issued a white paper that specified use of SOAP/XML for brokering virtual business objects that integrated to applications, with business process integration and even business process recording; plus advanced concepts in data warehousing from the business process recorder.
- in 2002, I designed a customer service pattern for a major company that, when implemented, gave them significant benefits in time to market and agility
- in 2004, I started interacting with the Business Process Management Initiative Organisation (bpmi.org), now part of the OMG . I flew to the USA and worked with Intalio (a major bpmi participant), who had developed the first pure play business process engine.
- I subsequently taught CSC Singapore about Intalio in mid-2004. Mid stream during teaching them, they challenged me to find and hook into real webservices to "prove the pudding". We found published web services from a European airline and orchestrated a process around them on the spot. This was very pleasing for me personally, and frankly blew the attendees away!
- Later in 2004, I was technical presenter on an Australia / New Zealand roadshow with Ismael Ghalimi from Intalio USA
So ask me "is it possible?". YES! It is possible.
Since that time I have been teaching business process modelling, and I'm currently writing a course on BPMN .
Where can you go? A long way. if your organisation has the ability to adapt to new ways of working. If you learn to "think and talk process".
So your mission is:
- get the process mindset - may I suggest a 2 day Business Process Modelling course from Promendo Training (based in Australia / New Zealand, but available internationally for group bookings)
- select a business process modelling environment - I can assist in modelling tool requirements and evaluation
- select a business process automation tool - I have experience in this area, and am increasingly part of OpenSoft Australia
- run a pilot project to prove the technology and its cost benefit.
- implement process centric disciplines, methods and process automation as a major feature of your business
Please ask me about the journey, and how I can assist/mentor you in making this significant transition.
Best regards,
Steve Barnes
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Business Application Capability |
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Capability to execute depends on your People, Processes and Technologies. Processes and Technologies are manifest as "business applications".
Every business has an application platform, whether it's been deliberately arrived at, or just evolved sporadically. If it's evolved, it may be problematic, lacking in functionality, and not serve your PEOPLE and PROCESSES properly!
True capability from a business platform means it will:
- enable your people
- streamline your processes
- fill your overall marketting, sales and crm needs
- be technically manageable
- and not costly to manage
Steve
has personally worked in large companies that have spent millions of
dollars in each of these areas, some totalling in excess of $30M spend
over a few years just in order to identify and relate to their customers
effectively.
The journey of growth is to:
- knowing your business
- understand how other businesses do it well
- detailing your competitive difference in terms of PEOPLE and PROCESSES
(see Business Improvement for information on this journey!)
Then you'll be able to grow your "application platform" capability to fulfil your optimised processes:
- choosing the typs of applications you need
- making sound choices on fit with PEOPLE and PROCESSES
- ensuring you make sensible TECHNOLOGY choices
- and that the applications are inter-operable!
Contact Barnes-Open for an obligation free chat about the journey of enabling your business!
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