SOA Architecture & Implementation Methodologies
Infogain has extensive experience in defining future-state architecture and identifying services portfolios for enterprise SOA initiatives. We start by tailoring our SOA methodology to suit the maturity level of the client’s existing services and SOA infrastructure. At a high level, the following diagrams illustrate the various levels of Services Maturity and SOA Maturity:
Services Maturity Model
Services Maturity Model
- CEP: Complex Event Processing involves the analysis of myriad events that are generated during the course of Service Usage and mapping them to the underlying business goals of the enterprise driven by ROI and Business Process Efficiencies.
- BAM: When a critical mass of services is attained, there is a need for Business Activity Monitoring which involves monitoring Service Usage Patterns and Business Level Metrics that the services execute.
- BPM: Business Process Mapping is generally performed by a business analyst who understands the process flows from a business perspective. BPM is achieved mainly through the composition of already existing services that are typically built in the BPEL.
- BPEL + Process Orchestration: Here the processes become more complex and to handle this complexity and agility, the BPEL and Orchestration layer come into play.
- ESB + Registry: This is normally the initial stage of SOA Adoption. Simple processes are service-enabled and deployed directly on the ESB.
SOA Implementation Methodology
There are two general approaches to SOA implementations:
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Top-Down/Strategic approach: The strategic or Top-Down approach to SOA implementation incorporates initial input from the executive team to identify key business processes that drive revenue and outline improvements that will result in a stronger ROI.
- Bottom-Up/Tactical approach: The tactical or Bottom-Up approach to SOA implementation is typically technology-driven and starts with service-enabling some core processes to effect early wins in the project.
Infogain recommends a Hybrid Approach in order to gain support for long-term adoption while also preventing road blocks which are characteristic of purely tactical implementations. Infogain’s Hybrid methodology starts with the Strategic business process analysis and then quickly supplants that with the Tactical stream. The result is a solution that is capable of driving the greatest business results and governance/security compliance while at the same time leveraging early wins along the way. Our implementation approach follows the SOA Maturity model to ensure a critical mass of shared business services, without which there can be no effective Governance, BPM, BAM or CEP.
It is also important to note that traditional SDLC methodology comes into play when implementing complex BPEL processes such as in the case of various clients such as Portals, non UI clients that interface with backend EIS systems. They are mainly used in STP scenarios where QoS and SLAs are very important. Typical examples would be getting Insurance or Mortgage quotes in hours instead of days.
Infogain’s SOA Architecture Service offers:
- Development of an SOA Reference Architecture mapped to the SOA Maturity Model and includes building blocks aligned with the technology stack for the enterprise
- Definition of an SOA-based solution architecture for identified programs
- Definition of service level agreements (SLAs) and performance measures for the SOA implementation and long-term continuous maintenance
- Definition of a Security Architecture which adheres strictly to security regulations and addresses challenges like confidentiality, authentication and authorization
- Development of a Proof-of-Concept (POC) to realize the defined SOA Reference Architecture
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