News

Software AG Launches SOA Governance App

• By Kurt Mackie
• September 28, 2007

Software AG defines SOA governance as "decision-making authority for developing and/or modifying SOA artifacts," according to its white paper (PDF) on the topic. Artifacts are things like Business Process Execution Language, Extensible Process Description Language process descriptions, and other elements used in SOAs.

Governance was a big topic for discussion at a recent SOA Governance Roundtable panel presented by the SOA Consortium, with a number of software developers weighing in on the meaning of the term.

Software AG's CentraSite Governance Edition builds on the Infravio X-Registry product, which was one of the assets that Software AG added when it acquired webMethods. The webMethods acquisition was announced in April of this year. It was completed in June to the tune of $546 million.

An announcement issued by Software AG highlighted a number of features in the CentraSite Governance Edition product:

• Automated governance processes and policy enforcement;
• A metadata repository that's more extensible;
• A Web 2.0 user interface that's easier to use; and
• Templates and best practices to support lifecycle management.

The automation aspect of the product is key because it aims to help businesses manage complexity, which has been a stumbling block in realizing SOA benefits, according to Peter Kürpick, chief product officer of the webMethods business line at Software AG.

"Enterprise users of SOA want to minimize complexity, simplify adoption and demonstrate faster payback," Kürpick stated in Software AG's announcement. "With the release of the CentraSite Governance Edition, we're squarely addressing each of these concerns."

In addition to the Governance Edition, Software AG has an open standard CentraSite Community Edition of the product. That product is supported by a CentraSite Community, which was established in June of 2006. CentraSite Community Edition can be downloaded for free at the CentraSite Community page.