We recorded this material at the tail end of our previous discussion on Web 2.0 and the "uncompany", but given the length of the conversation we felt it would be kinder to listeners if we split it into two pieces!

So here's the second piece of Neil M and Neil WD's discussion, focusing on some thoughts we've had on SOA Governance following conversations we've had with both vendors and enterprises on the issue. We also talk about some of the recent SOA Governance-related M&A that's been going on recently and what it means.

It's a 30'47" episode.

 It's been a while and for that we apologise. We blame too much paid consulting work, combined with holiday...

This podcast episode attempts to pick up where we left off in our last episode, and talk more about our ongoing research programme looking at the evolution of the Web and how this ties into the ways that business is changing. In this 37'30" episode Neil Macehiter and Neil Ward-Dutton talk about our idea of the "uncompany", and show how emerging web-related technologies and techniques tie into this idea.

It's interesting stuff (though of course we would say that).

Warning: this episode is quite long (47'32"). But below are some markers, if you want to dip in and out.

This time around we spend most of the podcast running through some of our recent research on Web 2.0 and its impact on business and organisations. This will be the first of two podcast sessions on this research, as there is a lot to cover! Then we chat about HP's recent acquisition of Mercury - and lastly, chat about the new management technology industry standardisation effort which is set to build on Microsoft's System Definition Model, a part of DSI: SML (or Smell, as we like to call it).

First - a segment (running to 15'20") where Neil M asks Neil WD what Web 2.0 really is, and why what's happening on the web now is so different from what went before. This segment is really aimed at people who are still a bit confused about what all this Web 2.0 stuff is about. If you're familiar with the concepts already and don't want to hear us attempting to explain it, you can skip to ...

... the segment (from 15'20" to 31'34") where we talk a bit about "mashups" and how they fit in the general scheme of integration techniques - particularly in the enterprise IT context - and the antagonism between architects and hackers.

At 31'34" Neil M and Jon then move on to talk about HP and Mercury, and the challenge of trying to create an "ERP-like platform for IT management"; the discussion of SML starts at 38'28".

In this episode: Neil Ward-Dutton chairs. Neil Macehiter gives an explanation of the concept of user-centric identity, and talks about the wave of activity that's currently going on in this area - including Projects Bandit and Higgins, and commercial efforts from Microsoft and Google.

Jon Collins then picks up the mic and gives his take on EMC's acquisition of security technology provider RSA. Is EMC the Imelda Marcos of the IT industry?

In this 6'22" postscript to our "SOA 2.0" episode, delivered separately due to a bit of a technical problem (Jon's Skype setup is a bit dodgy and he keeps dropping out of our conference calls), Neil M explains why Bill Gates' planned retirement from Microsoft is largely interesting as a symbol of the company's slow transition to a new technology strategy - rather than having a material impact on the company.

Neil WD muses on what might make a good leaving present.

In this 24'40" episode Neil W-D embarks on a grumpy monologue about SOA 2.0 - explaining why the term is so counter-productive and why it leads people to a dangerous, myopic perspective of SOA.

Neil M manages to get a word in edgeways, and explains how service-orientation and event-driven processing are actually completely different types of concept which shouldn't be mixed.

Jon Collins manfully tries to keep a rein on proceedings and largely succeeds.

Sorry it's taken us so long to get this most recent episode to you (it's three weeks or so since the last one...). We've just been crazily busy. We promise to try harder!

Neil M hosts this slightly elongated (35'41") MWD podcast episode, in which we interview prominent enterprise architect blogger James McGovern. The interview covers the role of open source in enterprise architecture and IT investment and the challenges associated with introducing OSS technology; thoughts on the architectural challenges associated with identity management; and a discussion on the differences between enterprise architecture practice in the US vs. in Europe.

Perhaps surprisingly, James thinks European businesses are likely to have more of the characteristic "markers" for good enterprise architecture practice than US businesses...

There's some great insights here. One not to miss.

Hopefully we'll have the chance to talk more to James later in the year. One caution: the recording of James' voice could be of better quality. Apologies if any of it is a little unclear. If we get to talk to him again, we'll do better next time!

 

Jon Collins went to the Microsoft Management Summit (MMS) last week, and came back full of ideas about where Microsoft is going with its systems and service management strategy for enterprise customers. In this podcast episode Jon and Neil Macehiter chat about Microsoft's credibility in terms of its Dynamic Systems Initiative (DSI), and also in server virtualisation. Neil Ward-Dutton gets a word in edgeways to draw some parallels between DSI and the new Service Component Architecture (SCA) industry initiative...

Get it while it's hot!

Running time: 24'03".

Neil M hosts this episode with Neil W-D (Jon is in San Diego at the Microsoft Management Summit). The format is a little different this week: the two of us ponder recent industry news, and Neil M's discussion with enterprise architect (and fellow blogger) James McGovern.

If you want to know what we think about Scott McNealy's resignation; context-based authentication; and how general ledger / chart-of-accounts influence IT architecture then listen in!

Feedback and questions are welcome, as always.

Length of this episode: 32'28".

Jon Collins hosts this MWD podcast episode, and guides a three-way discussion on his current research focus - IT service management.

You'll learn answers to two crucial questions: why doesn't it make sense to by an ITSM product? And what has ITIL got to do with Dr. Who?

Feedback and questions are welcome, as always.

This week's episode is with all three MWD analysts - Neil Ward-Dutton (your host), Neil Macehiter and Jon Collins. Welcome Jon!

In this episode, you'll hear why project portfolio management isn't sexy; why it's so important for IT industry analysts to keep working with real people doing real jobs; and when SOA will hurt the big packaged enterprise application vendors. Lastly, you'll hear Jon Collins invent a new term - Stick Oriented Architecture (that's at 27' 05", very near the end, but please don't skip past the rest!)

Don't miss it.

In this inaugural MWD podcast episode, company founders Neil Macehiter and Neil Ward-Dutton ask:

What does Microsoft have to do with polyester shirts, and why is this important in the context of its strategy and the idea of Web 2.0? How does the idea of user-centric identity relate to what the Liberty Alliance is doing? What *is* Infocard, exactly? Tune in for answers to all these questions and more!