SOA needs BPEL

SOA needs business process execution language (BPEL), according to Active Endpoints' principal architect Mike Pellegrini, because of orchestration. The BPEL isn't for creating Web services; it is for creating higher-level abstractions on top of those services, reports SOA World.

BPEL is considered "programming in the large", Pellgrini explains, because it deals with higher-level constructs such as flow control and looping, processes that are long running, fault tolerant, and it uses compensation instead of transactions.

BPEL is designed to fit naturally into the Web services stack, complementing the existing Web services specifications that are out there.

Business process management vendor Metastorm is moving into the business process analysis and enterprise architecture (EA) markets through acquisition, buying Proforma for an undisclosed amount, reports Network Computing.

Metastorm already resold Proforma's ProVision suite, so in the short term the move will make little difference to its customers. In the long term, the company's plan is to extend the Proforma data and service modelling technologies to all Metastorm products.

BPM is a natural fit for implementing EA strategies, but it also attracts other users who have already implemented parts of SOA and are looking for more immediate returns.

iUpload announced a new company name, a new CEO and a new release of its enterprise blogging, wiki and social networking technology, reports Computerworld.

The Waltham-based company, which counts McDonald's, Kodak and Northwestern Mutual among its customers, will be called Awareness.

In addition, the company announced a new CEO and CFO. John Bruce, who directed information rights management software at EMC before joining the company, is the new CEO. Former CEO and company co-founder Robin Hopper will stay on as VP of new business development. Steve Richards, former CFO at ClearForest, is the new CFO of Awareness.