BPM and Service Oriented Architecture [SOA]

Service Oriented Architecture [SOA] is a design for linking business and computing resources [organizations, applications and data] on demand to achieve desired results for service consumers.

BPM is regarded a 'killer app' for Service Oriented Architecture [SOA]. Too often in the past, applications based solely on object oriented models were technology focused, rather than service focused. SOA is attempting to return the purpose of applications to support business process outcomes, by freeing them from the underlying architecture, and aligning them to best-practice process models.

Reuse is central to the concept of SOA, but reuse can involve risk. Replacing a process that exists in multiple applications (in slightly different forms) with a single Web service does eliminate redundancy, but it also creates a single point of failure. Getting members of an organization to trust such a service isn't easy, but the automobile industry may provide a model: the certified pre-owned vehicle. What makes people trust what was once derogatorily called a "used car" is a "visible, objective and quantifiable quality process."

Computer Processes

Computers also rely on processes; a program or command running on the computer. Certain methodologies such as Rational Unified Process®, or RUP®, are used during software development to help you deliver customized and consistent process guidance to project teams.

If business processes are not well designed, then computer processes, in their attempt to support these business processes will suffer inefficiencies also.

Bridging the IT : Business Divde

Did you know that a recent survey showed that 75% of corporate strategy requires implementation by IT, yet on 31% of IT Managers are consulted in setting corporate strategy. This is a clear indication that Boards have yet to embrace how vital technology is to their ongoing growth and survival. And also how frustrating it is for IT Managers to be heard.

A key strength of Coded Vision Consulting is bridging the technology: commerce divide. As experienced stategists and implementers of both technology AND marketing, Coded Vision consultants will help break down executive barriers to technology and faciliate the voice of IT managers to the board.

Next: IBM Innov8 Business Process Game