Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA)

Reusable, contract-driven services integrated via mediation (often ESBs) with centralized governance; a precursor to microservices.

Enabled By Platform Building Blocks

Enterprise Integration: Connects heterogeneous systems, supports ETL, and ensures interoperability.

What it is

An architectural style organizing capabilities as interoperable services with well-defined contracts, often mediated by an ESB for routing, transformation, and policy.

Benefits

Promotes reuse and consistent contracts
Centralized policy and visibility
Good fit for heterogeneous enterprise landscapes

Trade-offs

Risk of central ESB becoming a bottleneck
Tighter coupling via shared schemas and governance
Slower change velocity vs. decentralized approaches

When to use

Large enterprises with many legacy systems
Strong need for standardization and mediation
Gradual modernization toward microservices