Handling Integration Crisis with Composite Applications
Invariably, a majority of enterprise applications are monolithic within individual lines of business and this makes coordinating activity between them very difficult. A composite application based on common object model is the new direction where technologists need to head for. A composite application automates business processes across the boundaries of multiple applications and is future-proof. The virtualization behind these composite applications enables complex heterogeneous systems to appear as one unified application at all levels of the organization - the processes, the systems, the databases and the hardware.
As businesses continue to face the never ending issues of integration, the concept of the virtual enterprise is becoming the choice for many. Traditionally, IT used to build applications first and then worry about integration later. Now, IT has to be more systematic and strategic.
Heterogeneity in IT is inherent and eternal. The solution is not getting rid of heterogeneity, but in creating an "insulation" layer comprising of composite applications to eliminate point-to-point communications. However, it is a laborious, complex and time-consuming task to build composite applications.
Oracle Application Integration Architecture (AIA), built on Oracle’s strong SOA foundation, simplifies building composite applications. I have seen in many pursuits so far, Oracle customers today are indeed attracted to leverage AIA Process Integration Packs (PIPs) to deploy out-of-the-box integrated business processes (like Order-to-Bill, Revenue Accounting and others). Using these service packs, programmers can build application independent executive dashboards and UIs. This virtualization through composite application enables well managed and better controlled business process platforms. Using AIA Foundation Pack Services and Objects (EBOs), reliable and reusable composite business processes can be built across Oracle and non-Oracle applications.
I would like to hear views on any experiences in building composite applications. Read on at http://www.infosys.com/oracle/white-papers/SOA-worlds.pdf
As businesses continue to face the never ending issues of integration, the concept of the virtual enterprise is becoming the choice for many. Traditionally, IT used to build applications first and then worry about integration later. Now, IT has to be more systematic and strategic.
Heterogeneity in IT is inherent and eternal. The solution is not getting rid of heterogeneity, but in creating an "insulation" layer comprising of composite applications to eliminate point-to-point communications. However, it is a laborious, complex and time-consuming task to build composite applications.
Oracle Application Integration Architecture (AIA), built on Oracle’s strong SOA foundation, simplifies building composite applications. I have seen in many pursuits so far, Oracle customers today are indeed attracted to leverage AIA Process Integration Packs (PIPs) to deploy out-of-the-box integrated business processes (like Order-to-Bill, Revenue Accounting and others). Using these service packs, programmers can build application independent executive dashboards and UIs. This virtualization through composite application enables well managed and better controlled business process platforms. Using AIA Foundation Pack Services and Objects (EBOs), reliable and reusable composite business processes can be built across Oracle and non-Oracle applications.
I would like to hear views on any experiences in building composite applications. Read on at http://www.infosys.com/oracle/white-papers/SOA-worlds.pdf
Comments
Nice post Gaurav.
Composite Application is however still a matter of mystery for many IT Managers. Usually they end up satisfying specific user group (like only HR, or only finance) and applications become monolithic. SOA will indeed bring this awareness in looking at holistic picture.
Posted by: Rahul | January 5, 2009 6:08 PM