Integrating Cloud Computing and SOA
5th Oct 2016
Integrating Cloud Computing and SOA
Comparing and contrasting these two important concepts
There is a lot of confusion among the populace concerning Service Oriented Architectures and Cloud Computing. This is largely due to the fact that both items operate mainly on networks, feature automated processes, and are deployed from their respective providers in a similar manner. Most people assume that existing SOA have been fully explored and are already integrated with major cloud computing provider services. While it is true that some SOA functions are occasionally coupled with some type of cloud infrastructure, by and large, the two are casual acquaintances at best. This is set to change in the near future however, as the increasing importance of both cloud computing and SOA will lead to the need for a clearly defined convergence of the two.
For one, a Service Oriented Architecture is simply a type of framework that is specifically designed to handle one (or more) specific task (or tasks). A good example of a SOA would be a managed workflow that an insurance company might use to determine if incoming applicants are eligible for their services or not. Most of the time, SOA is used to streamline one aspect of an operations daily business, which in the long run means that they spend much less in terms of manned hours and of course, paperwork related mistakes aren't even a question. Cloud computing is on the other hand, a dense set of multiple systems (both computing and networking) that are capable of performing nearly any task imaginable, including being able integrate multiple SOA into its' existing infrastructure. Has this happened yet? No, not on the scale that everyone would prefer at least.
Most of the SOA -style elements that currently exist on most cloud computing platforms are offered in the form of applications. Obviously, for those businesses that haven't made the transition to a cloud computing infrastructure, these cloud apps are impossible to utilize, and as a result, are of little consequence. That's one of the things that make SOA so appealing to most businesses; they don't have to make any alterations to their current computing infrastructure to begin reaping the rewards. However, it is entirely feasible that cloud computing providers could begin to simply offer a coterie of SOA apps a la carte'. In other words, virtualized components could be integrated in with their grid based computing networks that perform the same tasks as on-site SOA would.
Businesses across the globe are still waiting for the opportunity to simply pick and choose from a buffet of SOA options when signing up for or changing their cloud computing service. Just imagine being able to quickly implement a system that you designed from existing components in a matter of hours or minutes; this would allow businesses to start up and commence operations at an extremely fast pace, as well as perform nearly all of their process intensive tasks in a human error free environment. The first cloud computing provider that is able to bring the world of opportunities offered by the myriad SOA out there to their service packages will likely 'cash in' big time.
The current cloud computing market is completely open to the emergence of dedicated service provider that caters specifically to businesses and offers SOA-related solutions for various industries. Setting up a company to perform this service wouldn't actually be to difficult either considering that most of the SOA that are in use have been thoroughly documented and would only need to be compiled into one singular source. Of course, once all the available SOA have been arranged (as services offered for particular industries/fields) they may also be coupled with a level or type of cloud computing service as well. This would give businesses the tools they need to remain efficient and competitive in the market, and would further facilitate a transition toward cloud computing in general.
Using a cloud computing framework to deliver various Service Oriented Architectures makes perfect sense in a number of ways:
More and more businesses are automating their daily processes these days; SOA is one of the principal means that they use to do this. The tedious work that used to be performed by one or more individuals (usually consisting of laborious data entry) can now be performed automatically, thanks to SOA. By the same token, cloud computing has made it possible for businesses to do more than ever before, and at potentially lower costs than what many are typically accustomed to. Integrating SOA with Cloud Computing isn't a possibility; it is in many ways, an eventuality. Once a series of standards have been established with regards to both SOA's and Cloud Computing, the mainstream integration of these two business driving technologies can at last become possible.
Comparing and contrasting these two important concepts
There is a lot of confusion among the populace concerning Service Oriented Architectures and Cloud Computing. This is largely due to the fact that both items operate mainly on networks, feature automated processes, and are deployed from their respective providers in a similar manner. Most people assume that existing SOA have been fully explored and are already integrated with major cloud computing provider services. While it is true that some SOA functions are occasionally coupled with some type of cloud infrastructure, by and large, the two are casual acquaintances at best. This is set to change in the near future however, as the increasing importance of both cloud computing and SOA will lead to the need for a clearly defined convergence of the two.
For one, a Service Oriented Architecture is simply a type of framework that is specifically designed to handle one (or more) specific task (or tasks). A good example of a SOA would be a managed workflow that an insurance company might use to determine if incoming applicants are eligible for their services or not. Most of the time, SOA is used to streamline one aspect of an operations daily business, which in the long run means that they spend much less in terms of manned hours and of course, paperwork related mistakes aren't even a question. Cloud computing is on the other hand, a dense set of multiple systems (both computing and networking) that are capable of performing nearly any task imaginable, including being able integrate multiple SOA into its' existing infrastructure. Has this happened yet? No, not on the scale that everyone would prefer at least.
Most of the SOA -style elements that currently exist on most cloud computing platforms are offered in the form of applications. Obviously, for those businesses that haven't made the transition to a cloud computing infrastructure, these cloud apps are impossible to utilize, and as a result, are of little consequence. That's one of the things that make SOA so appealing to most businesses; they don't have to make any alterations to their current computing infrastructure to begin reaping the rewards. However, it is entirely feasible that cloud computing providers could begin to simply offer a coterie of SOA apps a la carte'. In other words, virtualized components could be integrated in with their grid based computing networks that perform the same tasks as on-site SOA would.
Businesses across the globe are still waiting for the opportunity to simply pick and choose from a buffet of SOA options when signing up for or changing their cloud computing service. Just imagine being able to quickly implement a system that you designed from existing components in a matter of hours or minutes; this would allow businesses to start up and commence operations at an extremely fast pace, as well as perform nearly all of their process intensive tasks in a human error free environment. The first cloud computing provider that is able to bring the world of opportunities offered by the myriad SOA out there to their service packages will likely 'cash in' big time.
The current cloud computing market is completely open to the emergence of dedicated service provider that caters specifically to businesses and offers SOA-related solutions for various industries. Setting up a company to perform this service wouldn't actually be to difficult either considering that most of the SOA that are in use have been thoroughly documented and would only need to be compiled into one singular source. Of course, once all the available SOA have been arranged (as services offered for particular industries/fields) they may also be coupled with a level or type of cloud computing service as well. This would give businesses the tools they need to remain efficient and competitive in the market, and would further facilitate a transition toward cloud computing in general.
Using a cloud computing framework to deliver various Service Oriented Architectures makes perfect sense in a number of ways:
- It would provide businesses with the service(s) they need, as well as the additional benefit of an experienced and remote cloud management squad, that can quickly deal with any technical difficulties should they arise.
- It gives them the option to add additional SOA or components very quickly, without having to deal with installation, maintenance or troubleshooting issues.
- If they're using a pay-as-you-go style service with a fixed price they would automatically receive and be able to make use of any software/product updates at no extra charge.
More and more businesses are automating their daily processes these days; SOA is one of the principal means that they use to do this. The tedious work that used to be performed by one or more individuals (usually consisting of laborious data entry) can now be performed automatically, thanks to SOA. By the same token, cloud computing has made it possible for businesses to do more than ever before, and at potentially lower costs than what many are typically accustomed to. Integrating SOA with Cloud Computing isn't a possibility; it is in many ways, an eventuality. Once a series of standards have been established with regards to both SOA's and Cloud Computing, the mainstream integration of these two business driving technologies can at last become possible.
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