SOA Training Prerequisites

1.    What are the prerequisites for this course?

The prerequisite to attend this training are some understanding of XML, XSL and XSD (Part of our course contents), a background of any programming language  and the determination to learn. No work experience is required. We will teach you the concepts of WebService so that you can get started.

2.    Do I need Java or J2EE for understanding the underlying code?

SOA programming is different from the traditional programming languages like Java and C. The programming is done through SOA Composite Editor, a graphical tool (plugin in JDeveloper or Eclipse) and the resultant code is stored in a XML format that is compliant to standards such as BPEL, SCA, WSDL etc.. Internally, Oracle has implemented this in Java and use a J2EE Application Server(Weblogic) to execute this. But, this is hidden from the developer and so is not a prerequisite for learning SOA. SOA orchestrates the Services. The Services are primarily exposed as WebServices through WSDL. The business logic behind the Web Service could have been implemented in Java, C, PL/SQL, C#, etc. Again, we are not concerned about the internal implementation but just the WSDL. The SOA program (composite) is also exposed as WebService and can be invoked from Java, C#, etc.

3.    What do I need to install?

SOA can be installed on Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 (32 and 64 bits both), Linux, Solaris. On Mac, you would need a virtualization tool.

1. Oracle SOA Suite 11g along with the Weblogic server

2. Oracle JDeveloper 11g

3. Oracle Database 10g Express Edition

The above software needs to be installed on your desktop to learn SOA so that

a. You will learn to install the server which is essential in your job

b. This will enable you to work on SOA anytime, anywhere.

c. You need to have at least 4GB RAM on your desktop/laptop.

Note : Do not underestimate the time required for setting up the development environment at your side. You need to start this at least a weekend prior to the start date of the training.

4.    How do I install them?

We will provide detailed and clear instructions for installation and configuration for both 32 and 64 bit platforms. You are supposed to register early and follow the detailed instructions to complete the installation. If you are struck then we can schedule a conference to troubleshoot.

5.    How is the format of the training? What if I miss a class?

The training is going to be held on weekdays for 1.30 hrs each. There would be 5-6 weeks of training totally. We will provide everyday's video recording on the same day so that you can refer to this later for your practice. Even if you miss a session you can go through the recording.

6.    What happens if I am struck while practicing, during the week?

The trainer setup a conference if required, take control of your desktop using the webconferencing software or help you troubleshoot the issue

7.    Why should I get trained only by you?

Good question. Following are some of the reasons
a. We have designed the course very thoughtfully. It covers most of the topics from Oracle Certification - 1Z0-451 Oracle SOA Foundation Practitioner as well as some topics which are essential for working successfully at job (like using ANT for deployment, SVN Integration). Check out some topics here and see if you can get them in other trainings

b. We have designed the course schedule to make the training most effective. The cost for our services is unbeatable. It's our firm belief that learning a new technology requires practice and experimentation, both of which need time.

c. We teach you on the latest version which is Oracle SOA Suite 11.1.1.7

d. We provide large number of interview questions, sample resumes and sample projects to help you prepare yourself for the days ahead. Sample project gives you a first hand experience of looking at a Requirements doc and then looking at its eventual SOA-based design. Sample resumes can help you fine tune your own resume, so that it is better-worded, ready for a good impact

e. We provide support for 2 months from the end date of the training so that you are successful at work.

8.    Is this job oriented?

It is completely job oriented. This course will open you to the world of SOA and BPEL and guide you through it. However, to be an expert, you need to complete all the assignments provided in this course. Then you will be able to confidently handle any issues that arise in your job assignments.

9.    Do you prepare us for the interviews?

Yes. We have a complete session dedicated to interview questions.

10.  Do you help in placing candidates?

We have lot of consultancies and individual organizations contacting us regularly, looking for trained candidates. We can forward your resumes free of cost to them.

11.  Why should I learn SOA and how do I benefit?

Enterprises are adopting SOA to enhance business agility, help in better integration and to have more visibility in the business operations.(In some cases, SOA adoption is done because it is considered to be an elixir for all the problems plaguing the IT department).

For a J2EE Developer/Architect, J2EE technology has stagnated with EJB, Struts, Spring and Hibernate(The exciting changes are happening in Web 2.0 technologies like Adobe Flex, Dojo, GWT, JQuery, etc). There are numerous professionals available with these skills and billing rates have flattened out. Learning SOA provides the extra advantage to the J2EE background in this competitive job market(It is a natural fit because most SOA platforms are an extension to the J2EE application servers). It will help you qualify for both J2EE and SOA jobs and the SOA billing rates are currently higher than the J2EE.

For an Oracle Apps Developer, this is a natural requirement by the organization as they most likely would/have adopted SOA.

For a DataWarehouse developer/architect, SOA provides new opportunities through BAM(Business Activity Monitoring), a fast track business intelligence solution by Oracle SOA and in managing the SOA repositories. Also, you can create services that are consumed by OBIEE. Plus you can use ODI (Oracle Data integrator), a very efficient BI Tool

For a mainframes professional, then you would be glad to know that Oracle SOA provides one of the most complete list of adapters to help various applications talk to mainframe applications. These adapters make it very easy to integrate mainframes with some of the newer systems on the block

If you are from PeopleSoft, then note that SOA technologies allow you to expose functionality created using Peoplecode SQRs, App Engine, Integration Broker and App Designer

If you are involved in working on Apps Unlimited or supporting Peoplesoft/Siebel/Retek installations and need to talk to newer technologies from Oracle, Oracle recommends using AIA. AIA is completely based on SOA technologies

If you are from Oracle CRM, you can look forward to utilizing the Web Services exposed by Oracle CRM on Demand to create, update, delete or query various CRM business objects like accounts, opportunity, asset, campaign, contact, lead etc.

If you are from Microsoft technologies, you can look forward to creating services that can be consumed from ASP.NET pages, VB.NET applications. MOSS etc. You can use SOA along with BizTalk to make life easy for lot of different integrations where BizTalk alone might not be sufficient. You can create services that can be consumed from an excel sheet or a word document.

12.  How to make sure everything is setup before the session starts?

Installation of Oracle SOA Suite is time consuming and sometimes needs our support. Once you register with us, we provide links to download the softwares (around 6-7 GB) and instructions to install the same on 32 or 64 bit machines 2 weeks prior to the actual start of the class. This gives ample time to students to set their environment up. We have realized that setting up the environment is the major mental block when learning a new technology, so we shoot it down as early as possible.