When Oracle SOA has been around, why do we need Oracle AIA?
As per the Gartner report (See: http://software.tekrati.com/research/news.asp?id=9065), "By 2010, less that 25 percent of large companies will have the sufficient technical and organizational skills necessary to deliver enterprise wide SOA." One big reason why SOA initiatives fail or do not get enough momentum is lack of reference architecture and a robust framework. IT industry finds the path to SOA (Service Oriented Architecture) a bit challenging. Oracle AIA (Application Integration Architecture) provides a robust and yet flexible architecture.
We can look at AIA as an application independent standardized framework based on common object model. Enterprises today are seeking technologies that would enable them to deploy cross-functional business processes. Majority of enterprise applications are monolithic within individual lines of business - and this makes coordinating activity between them very difficult. The need of cross functional process improvement effort is very strong.
A composite application based on common object model is the new direction where technologists are heading for. A composite application automates business processes across the boundaries of multiple applications and is future-proof. However it is a laborious, complex and time consuming task to build composite applications. Oracle AIA simplifies this process and makes it more seamless - and far less costly.
AIA brings to the table following key features
- Best Practice Processes - We can leverage best practices available out of the box in AIA
- AIA Foundation Pack - We can create custom business processes across any of our applications utilizing predefined, application independent objects and service definitions
- Process Integration Packs - Pre-built, out of the box, integrated services for quick implementation of business processes, without the risks
- Powered by SOA- AIA is built on top of SOA, an open standards based platform
AIA enables us to
- Expedite our Enterprise SOA Initiative
- Build adaptable composite processes
- Stop redeveloping integrations with every new release and upgrade
- Focus on core business, and not on integration nightmares
Application Integration Architecture not only offers value for investments for the customers today, it is also planned for future returns on the current investments. Application Integration Architecture is a framework Oracle customers need to adopt for Fusion Applications. Fusion Application modules can be plugged into Application Integration Architecture seamlessly. Customers can upgrade to Fusion Applications and preserve their investments in AIA.
With this we come to an end of a short glimpse on features of Application Integration Architecture (AIA). Stay tuned for my next blog on more details about AIA! Do feel free to send in your comments.
