BEA Takes SOA to Mobile Devices

Adding a touch of mobility to its service-oriented architecture (SOA)
line, BEA Systems introduced new server
software to enable distributed computing on PDAs and
smartphones.

MobileAware Interaction Server, BEA WebLogic Edition finds and aggregates
data that gets spread across a network, making it more accessible. BEA said
in a statement the product can ensure the San Jose, Calif., company’s
WebLogic Portal 8.1 can more efficiently access data with mobile devices
that provide Internet access.

For example, using the server, telecommunications outfits can quickly set up
data services, more broadly distributing enterprise information. SOAs are
especially important here because legacy telecommunications systems are
dated, BEA said, rendering services distribution or content integration too
slow.

In other areas, BEA said customers and employees are increasingly turning to
mobile gadgets to view or access services, billing, product availability,
logistics and other information. MobileAware Interaction Server allows enterprises
to pipe in information about airline, travel, banking, brokerage and
transportation to customers, employees and partners.

The MobileAware Interaction Server also works closely with the company’s
flagship BEA WebLogic Platform, which includes the company’s successful
application server.

The new software is a stepping stone in the company’s Services Delivery
Solution Framework, part of the larger, overarching Liquid Computing strategy for
crafting real-time computing infrastructure.

BEA, IBM , Microsoft and smaller players
such as Actional and Amberpoint are developing SOAs and their more specific
Web services . The vendors’ goals are to
provide more flexible computing architectures to customers who want to save
money by reusing software assets.

IDC said the Web services infrastructure market cold top $3.2 billion by
2008.

In related news, BEA is looking to improve employee productivity by
expanding its portlet library for WebLogic Portal 8.1. Expansions include
new services and applications that may be integrated into SAP and Siebel
portals; Compoze Portlets, WebLogic Edition for groupware and collaboration;
and improved WebLogic Edition tools for collaboration and integration from
Kapow Technologies.

Kapow RoboSuite, BEA WebLogic Edition 5.5 is designed to help businesses
integrate Web applications and content into a portal faster and easier.
Compoze Portlets, WebLogic Edition can bring groupware and collaboration
capabilities to an enterprise portal to improve employee productivity.