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a common service repository in which to store and retrieve service descrip-
tions. If a new application seeks to use an existing service into one of these
applications, it can query the repository to obtain the service description to
quickly generate (say) SOAP messages to interact with it. Finally, the devel-
opment of service-oriented entry points at the business logic tier allows a
business process management engine to drive an automatic flow of execu-
tion across the multiple services.
7.5.2 Multichannel Access
Enterprises often use many channels to ensure good service and main-
tain customer loyalty; therefore, they benefit from being able to deliver
customer services over a mixture of access channels. In the past, enter-
prises often developed monolithic applications that were tied to single
access channel, such as a 3270 terminal, a PC interface, or a Web browser.
The proliferation of access channels represented a significant challenge to
IT departments to convert monolithic applications to allow multichannel
access. The basic solution is to service-enable these using an SOA with
Web Services that are good for enabling multichannel access because they
are accessible from a broad range of clients, including Web, Java, C#, and
mobile devices. In general, business services change much less frequently
than the delivery channels through which they are accessed. Business ser-
vices refer to operational functions such as vendor management, purchase
order management, and billing, which do not vary very often, whereas
client devices and access channels are based on new technologies, which
tend to change.
7.5.3 Business Process Management
A business process is a real-world activity that consists of a set of logically
related tasks that, when performed in an appropriate sequence and in con-
formity with applicable rules, produce a business outcome. Business pro-
cess management (BPM) is the name for a set of software systems, tools, and
methodologies that enable enterprises to identify, model, develop, deploy,
and manage such business processes. BPM systems are designed to help
align business processes with desirable business outcomes and ensure that
the IT systems support those business processes. BPM systems let business
users model their business processes graphically in a way that the IT depart-
ment can implement; the graphical depiction of a business process can be
used to generate an executable specification of the process. Unlike traditional
forms of system development where the process logic is deeply embedded
in the application code, BPM explicitly separates the business process logic
from other application code. Separating business process logic from other
application code renders increased productivity, reduced operational costs,
and improved agility. When implemented correctly, enterprises can quickly
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