Web Services, Service-Oriented Architectures, and Cloud Computing is a jargon-free, highly illustrated explanation of how to leverage the rapidly multiplying services available on the Internet. The future of business will depend on software agents, mobile devices, public and private clouds, big data, and other highly connected technology. IT professionals will need to evaluate and combine online services into service-oriented architectures (SOA), often depending on Web services and cloud computing. This can mean a fundamental shift away from custom software and towards a more nimble use of semantic vocabularies, middle-tier systems, adapters and other standardizing aspects. This book is a guide for the savvy manager who wants to capitalize on this technological revolution. It begins with a high-level example of how an average person might interact with a service-oriented architecture, and progresses to more detail, discussing technical forces driving adoption and how to manage technology, culture and personnel issues that can arise during adoption. An extensive reference section provides quick access to commonly used terms and concepts.

"The book has numerous supporting diagrams and illustrations throughout, a short bibliography, and a good index…It is written for, and in language that can be understood by, managers rather that just technical specialists. Barry addresses these technologies from a business perspective, covering aspects such as staffing, training, and organizational change. It is a good reference for managers on the new world of cloud services." --ComputingReviews.com, February 3, 2014 "Writing for business managers rather than technical personnel, Barry explains how a company can expand its information technology options, make information technology systems more flexible and responsive, reduce management time, and reduce maintenance costs." --Reference and Research Book News, August 2013 "Web Services, Service-Oriented Architectures, and Cloud Computing by Douglas Barry provides easy-to-follow guidance around the proper use of web services, how they exist within SOA, and how the emerging use of cloud computing correctly fits into the mix. This is something that most in this industry can neither define nor implement, and getting it right the first time is critical to success. If you’re looking to understand the true nature of web services, SOA, and cloud computing – including the underlying details – then you should begin by reading this book." --David S. Linthicum, Author, Founder and CTO of Blue Mountain Labs "...What drives adoption? What corporate forces will resist adoption?...The Savvy Manager's Guide explains how all of this great new stuff is going to leverage existing infrastructure in real corporate settings, and benefit from modern software development processes like Model Driven Architecture." --Richard Mark Soley, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO, Object Management Group, Inc.

Douglas K. Barry specializes in enterprise architecture with an emphasis in service-oriented architecture, database systems, and object technology, His practice is aimed at accelerating your understanding and use of software technology. He is an author, columnist, guest lecturer, international speaker, and mentor. Mr. Barry has consulted to over 80 companies operating in the areas of finance, stock trading, computer-aided design, telecommunications, electronic catalogs, software development, manufacturing, and military applications.