SOA interfaces to speed partner app development Siemens Communications unveiled the first fruits of its SOA initiative on Monday and said it is extending its use of SOA from internal development projects to external business partners, according to a company executive.The company firmed up its commitment to SOA, saying that IBM, and SAP will use Siemens SOA components in ongoing application development projects. The new interfaces will allow Siemens to reuse basic software components, saving time and money in developing new applications, said Scott Washburn, global portfolio manager.SAP will use one of the SOA components, called Identity and Access Management, in its NetWeaver application-building platform. With IBM, Siemens is integrating communications features such as “click to call” into enterprise applications for about 30 IBM customers. Siemens SOA-based OpenScape SDK (Software Development Kit) is being used by Microsoft to integrate OpenScape with Windows Live Communications Server.Siemens has used the SOA framework to develop the HiPath 8000 Assistant (a management tool) and HiPath Media Server, in addition to the OpenScape SDK, Washburn said.Future components of HiPath 8000 will be either developed with the SOA framework or integrated with it using Web services, Washburn said. Software DevelopmentTechnology Industry