A Dynamic Services Discovery Model for Better Leveraging BPM and SOA Integration

Abstract

This work addresses the problem of BPM-SOA integration using the services discovery activity as the main driver for that. The developed model is able to select the most adequate (web) services for given business transactions that are modeled at BPM level, regarding their business' contexts and QoS restrictions. It considers an inter-organization scenario, where services are published and made available by disparate providers over largely distributed and heterogeneous repositories, which can also be accessed under the SaaS model. Key elements of the model include a business processes catalog and an ontology based on the UBL open standard, and a QoS ontology. The implemented framework strongly relies on open ICT standards at all tackled levels, facilitating interoperability and the integration of services discovery environment in wider enterprise architecture projects. A software prototype has been implemented and results are described at the end. In spite of a set of assumptions, it was realized that a focus on the dynamic services discovery activity can be a feasible approach for better levering BPM-SOA integration, providing a more flexible basis for enterprises when executing their daily business transactions.

Enhancing Network Collaboration in SOA Services Composition via Standard Business Processes Catalogues

“…For example, Cancian et al [4] have identified the list of BPs that software service providers have to support in the collaboration life cycle (including services provision and support) considering aspects like partners' and services' certifications, governance and trustworthiness. Perin et al [10] have developed a dynamic services discovery environment that works over disparate UDDI-based services repositories considering BPs' context and QoS to better support BPM-SOA integration. Using different IT supporting approaches, Camarinha-Matos et al [13] and Obidallah [14] have developed platforms to identify and to better link BPs' needs to partners' competences and software services within a CNO.…”

“…One of the key elements of the catalogue environment is the discovery service [10], developed in the scope of this work. It supports the search, analysis, selection and final binding of the services (from the services federation) that fit best the set of functional and non-functional requirements of the application(s) under construction.…”

“…Many works also have been addressing BP management and BP:SOA layers integration to enhance business agility and IT alignment (e.g. [10]).…”