So, was 2006 the year of the SOA? Hardly. I think it was the year of talking about SOA, and perhaps dong some minor SOA projects. I think 2007 will be more of the same, but with an increasing amount of implementation work done towards the end of the year. Mark my words. Okay, I think I'm marking my own words.

Some of the positive things when considering SOA in 2006:

SOA has increased awareness of the underlying architectures within enterprises, and how they may or may not limit business. In essence we're shinning a light on bad architecture when dealing with the notion of SOA.

SOA has driven a new set of startup companies, with some pretty good ideas. These include governance, process management, and security, as applied to SOA.

I attended better and more informative SOA conferences this year. We seem to be getting beyond the hype, into the meat of the topic, and understand better the work that needs to be done.

Some of the negative or silly things, when considering SOA in 2006:

"SOA 2.0" The last time I'll say that one.

Most of those implementing SOA don't really get the concept yet, as I'm finding. Needed is more education and mentoring.

Perhaps too much consolidation in this space, and too soon. Most of those SOA fledgling companies never got to spread their wings.

The hype was too high. One needed to scream to get above the noise in 2006. Unfortunately, I think it's going to get worse before it gets better.

Posted by Dave Linthicum on December 20, 2006 04:57 AM