I did not attend IBM Impact, nor did I attend the recent Gartner Conference (proof: I can't find the URL). Also, I've not read other blogs reporting on those conferences. However, I bet I can figure out the core trends and messages at each. At the IBM impact conference the focus was on "industrial strength SOA," or the ability to build SOA that will drive your business using IBM's uber SOA stack. In essence, we I did not attend IBM Impact, nor did I attend the recent Gartner Conference (proof: I can’t find the URL). Also, I’ve not read other blogs reporting on those conferences. However, I bet I can figure out the core trends and messages at each. At the IBM impact conference the focus was on “industrial strength SOA,” or the ability to build SOA that will drive your business using IBM’s uber SOA stack. In essence, we own most of what you need, we’ll lead the thought, we’ll create a community, and you fall in line and buy…please. IBM actually has a point, at least the core notion. The idea is that SOA is a complex, long-term commitment, cost major dollars, and thus figuring out best practices and approaches now, will only help you along in the future. Can’t argue with that. Also, you can’t argue that IBM is making huge penetration out there into the emerging SOA space, and their stuff works just fine. However, I’m not a big fan of using a single vendor for the sake of using a single vendor; you have to mix and match typically, and come up with a best-of-breed solution that meets your requirements exactly. If that’s IBM, great. At the Gartner conference the SOA word was a bit more somber. SOA is now complex and slow on the uptake, versus cool and innovative just a few years ago. Thus, you must start small, get something going, and you’ll figure it out eventually. Many many graphics, and lines in the sand being drawn, with many of the presentations with common patterns. I kid the Gartner guys because not many of them have blogs, and can’t return fire. 🙂 However, to their credit, most of them are morphing their thinking around the practical aspects of SOA, and how innovative notions such as SOA take a while to get right. It comes down to core architectural notions, and a good understanding of the business problems. I have no issue with that. Also, the food was much better at the IBM conference, than the Gartner. Vendor conferences are always better for food, and other goodies. However, there is something to be said about those very nice hospitality booths that Gartner hosts, but those are vendors, aren’t they? So, was I close? Software Development