Chapter 1. Understanding the Problem

This chapter investigates what problems people who apply Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) are trying to solve. The problems can be categorized into two major areas:

• The mismatch between the business and IT

• Duplication of functionality and process silos

One discipline that can help solve these issues is the application of architecture in an organization and in projects. As the term Service Oriented Architecture indicates, SOA is about architecture. In this chapter you will learn about different types of architecture, like reference architectures and solution architectures, and common layering concepts that can be applied on different levels within the organization to make sure that the strategy of the company is in line with the developments and projects that are executed. But first, let's dive into the problems that modern companies face and look at the increasing importance of (electronic) information in companies.