June 10th, 2008
Sun SOA strategy still doesn't get open source
Sun has a new Software Oriented Architecture (SOA) strategy for the open source era.
Too bad it doesn’t get open source.
The strategy is based on Java CAPS, acquired with SeeBeyond Technologies in 2005, creating an open source SOA stack based on Open ESB.
What’s wrong with it? Everything in it is Sun. All the templates, adaptors and plug-ins built with other tools will have to be re-built with Sun’s technology.
A true open source SOA stategy would embrace support for competing alternatives, rather than try to push everyone into paying for (and building) on a Sun-only platform.
How many open source shops are there which are saying, “We must have Sun, and Sun-only, for our SOA strategy.” Not many. Once the open source decision is made, you’re also choosing a multi-vendor strategy.
Many small open source operators freely support one anothers’ code, and there are third-party companies which specialize in support, handling multi-vendor stacks with ease.
I know this is tough for major vendors like Sun (and others) to get their heads around, but open source means independence. It does not mean vendor lock-in. And it means you’re free to support your competitors’ stuff.
Vendor lock-in is so 20th century….
Dana Blankenhorn has been a business journalist for 30 years, a tech freelancer since 1983. You can follow Dana on Twitter. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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| 06/10/08
