SOA everywhere

Even casual readers of InfoWorld, in print or online, know that we’re sold on SOA (service-oriented architecture). The concept of creating an extensible framework in which applications and application components are exposed and shared as services simply makes sense. Of course, SOA can be notoriously difficult to pull off, which is why we’ve devoted so much ink to the topic.

Those of you who need an even more regular SOA fix should bookmark (or better yet, point your RSS reader at) our Real World SOA blog. Penned by best-selling book author and integration authority David Linthicum, Real World SOA routinely digs into some of the knottiest issues, offering expert advice, first-person impressions, and common-sense explanations of the technology. It’s a solid, down-to-earth read, and a great way to get up to speed quickly on an essential technology.

Linthicum also will be sharing his expertise leading the SOA 101 session at InfoWorld’s SOA Executive Forum, an intensive two-day program scheduled for Nov. 7 and 8 in New York. I encourage any of you involved in strategic technology decisions at your company — whether from the IT or the business side — to check out the agenda here.

We’ve lined up a full roster of industry experts and practitioners — including keynoters Andy Brown (chief architect at Merrill Lynch) and Jamie Sguerra (chief architect at Guardian Life Insurance) — who will share their insights and experiences. But this program is no mere collection of talking heads: It leans on the practical, with numerous case studies, panel discussion, tech and business breakout sessions, and even a tutorial. And did I mention the meals, parties, and schmoozing? They’re sure to rock.

You can register online; spaces are still available but I encourage you to sign up soon. Hope to see you there.