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I barely needed my double soy cappuccino this morning. IBM started their Global customer conference off with a loud bang, including a Stomp-like performance by Rhythm Nation. 4000 people in the room. Another 4200 online for a simulcast in Second Life. It's a big event (very evident when 4000 people all left the ballroom at the same time - maybe bumping into walls and falling off cliffs in Second Life would have been easier). And it's all about SOA.

IBM has been investing very heavily in SOA and it is clear here that it is central to the future strategy of IBM - not just lip service to the latest buzz word. It is clear, listing to Steve Mills, Sr. VP and Group Executive of the IBM Software Group, that IBM sees SOA as part of the overall shift to business driven IT. Citing some results of a survey of 700 CEOs worldwide, he said that 87% expect fundamental change in their business in the next 2 years, 78% believe innovation requires business and technology, and 75% said they don’t know how they are going to make the change - they do not believe they have the ability to support change. The theme of the morning keynotes was clearly that SOA is an enabler of change. Moreover, Mills stated that unlike other shifts there are no clear industry or geographic leaders.

IBM is addressing this at a number of levels - from a business view, ensuring clients understand the business view of what SOA enables. About 8000 are hearing that message today. IBM also announced some education initiatives. Sandy Carter, VP, SOA and WebSphere Strategy, Channels and Marketing, showed SOA Sandy, her Second Life alter ego, who gave a short tour of IMPACT in Second Life. She hinted about some special jewelry, but clearly those second lifers have much more time than I do.

Carter also demoed Innov8 BPM Simulater, a game (which also looks very Second Life-ish) meant to teach BPM at universities. IBM is working with 58 universities in 20 countries to implement a Service Science curriculum. She also announced IBM's virtual university with certification in basic and intermediate SOA.

In additional announcements IBM made today is developing content and services to accelerate the adoption of SOA including industry specific roadmaps, business blue prints, SOA industry framework, and SOA professional services. IBM will also be delivering this with partners and expects to grow from 3600 partners going to 10,000 partners. IBM also announced new software aligned to SOA entry points (more about this later) and new and enhanced software for BPM and Registry.

In an effort to post this while continuing to hear more about the story I'm going to post this now, and continue more posts later. If you're interested, check out Second Life and let us know your experience.

Posted by bethgb at 02:50 PM in Industry News | Digg This | Add to del.icio.us

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Posted by: Mary Hall at May 22, 2007 08:18 AM