Service-Oriented Architectures (SOAs) are an evolutionary step in the software market. They will fundamentally change the nature of how business users think about these systems, how the software should be written, how software systems should run, and how companies should invest.

Santa isn't stuck in the chimney--he's stuck in Long Beach. The global and U.S. logistics infrastructure is dangerously stressed, and just in time for the holidays! Because of the dramatic, faster-than-expected growth in Pacific trade, companies are scrambling to overcome logistics delays, increased lead times, and soaring costs. Those that didn't predict the congestion and the extended lead times may well be missing their own Christmas bonuses. The complexities of a stressed logistics infrastructure have logistics professionals feeling more like the Grinch than alive with holiday spirit. Heightened security regulations and increased trade rules have further complicated the situation. There are no signals that relief will come in 2005; in fact, there are indicators that it will get worse before it gets better.