Enterprises are increasingly implementing service-oriented architecture (SOA) projects because of the greater agility, flexibility and productivity that SOA brings to a business. However, as with any technology adoption, there are countless details that should be considered before the promise of SOA is realized. One of the most difficult challenges is incorporating legacy systems into the SOA environment without changing these existing systems. How will IT manage the delicate balance of protecting the power of existing data and systems, while also moving the systems forward into the new world of SOA? Data services, with the appropriate features, may serve as the answer. Data services are an essential, but often overlooked, component for delivering data--the lifeblood of any organization.
