BPM And Web Services

’s IT executives want the best softwarethem into a query called a locator, which is run
available. With business process management thatagainst the service directory. The locator returns a
means finding solutions that provide key benefits. Inlist of possible providers, from which the service
addition to facilitating system integration, theserequestor chooses a new business partner, and the
solutions must minimize costs, protect softwarewhole process starts again.
investments, and increase corporateWhen the business partners bind, they create a
flexibility—all while generating a quick return on“virtual” application. The partners
investment (ROI).temporarily combine their services to meet an
Previously, IT executives had an option. They couldimmediate need and capture a business process.
either create their own processing solutions or buyOnce captured, the business process is automated
them as packaged applications. Both approachesusing workflow management technology. The
were costly. These solutions also had a majorapplications are then integrated and work is routed to
downside. Once encoded, they were difficult tothe appropriate departments.
change. This encoding prevented businesses fromConsiderations in Deploying an SOA
quickly meeting its customers’ needs. MoreBusinesses who want to deploy an SOA face three
importantly, it hindered adaptability to a dynamicconsiderations. First, current object-oriented analysis
increasingly demanding marketplace.and design (OOAD) methods don’t address
Combining BPM and Web services changes that. Thisthe primary elements of an SOA: services, flows, and
union provides businesses with a powerful set ofcomponents for realizing services. Companies must
benefits. It increases efficiency and flexibility, reducesdevelop or acquire the techniques and processes
costs, and protects software investments byrequired to identity, specify, and realize the individual
integrating and recombining with a company’sservices. The also need the enterprise-wide
existing systems. In addition, the union providescomponents to ensure the quality of services.
real-time visibility into processing systems as well as aSecond, a shift in corporate mindset must occur.
way to monitor and evaluate key performanceCompanies must shift their thinking from strictly a
indicators— the prerequisites needed toproduction-oriented goal to the key SOA objective:
implement a continuous improvement program.enhanced customer service. Whether its Web
A Tactical Implementation of SOAservices or another implementation, SOA is designed
The foundation for BPM and Web services is ato provide customers with services that meet their
service-oriented architecture (SOA). Web services isunique requirements. That’s a major leap for
a tactical implementation of SOA, which bridges thesome companies but making the transition is a must
gap between businesses and IT through a set ofobtain SOA’s benefits.
business-aligned services using a unique set of designThird, applications created for one business or
principles, patterns, and techniques.product line can now be used in a supply chain and be
SOA involves the dynamic discovery, organization,exposed to business partners who might compose,
and description of services, which enables companiescombine, and include them into new applications,
to select, bind, and invoke a service over thecreating what some analysts are calling the service
Internet. SOA differs from service-basedecosystem or a service value-net. Executive must
architectures, like RosettaNet or OBI (Open Buyingaccept this possibility.
on the Internet), which focus on formats andCompanies need to address these considerations
protocols. A service-based architecture is part of anbefore deploying an SOA. Unless they do, they
SOA.won’t reap the benefits of an SOA. Nor will
Key SOA Componentsthey have the adaptability need to compete
The major components of an SOA are a servicesuccessfully in the days ahead.
directory, a service provider, and a service requestor.The Role of BPM Technology
The service directory contains information about allBPM technology provides the tools and infrastructure
the available services. A service provider publishes ato define, simulate, and analyze this business process
service by adding the appropriate entries to themodel. It does so in such a way that the process is
directory, which a service requestor uses to find themanageable from a business perspective using
appropriate service.business solution management tools. A dashboard, for
When a service requestor finds a match, it binds toexample, provides information about execution status
the provider using information maintained by theand progress in various levels of detail.
directory. The binding information contains theBusiness analysts then compare readouts to key
protocol specifications that requestors must use asperformance indicators to evaluate the processes
well as the structure of the request messages andperformance. If a process is not meeting its
the resulting responses. The two companies thenobjectives, executives change the process.
form a “business partnership.”It’s here where methodologies, like Six Sigma,
When the service requestor no longer needs theare implemented as part of a continuous
provider’s services, it dissolves theimprovement program. The goal, of course, is to
partnership. It then forms new requirements and putsprovide customers with the highest quality services.