DataDirect Shadow is a mainframe middleware software to provide a single unified, foundation architecture to simplify and accelerate the integration of mainframe data, business logic and screens with new Java, .NET and Web applications.  From a single platform, Shadow supports a full range of standards-based mainframe integration products.  Shadow version 7 includes important enhancements for SOA and data connectivity –most importantly the ability to exploit the IBM specialty engines for improved performance and lower mainframe TCO. 

With the Shadow product’s advanced middleware design and patent pending technology, SOA integration processing and data queries can be diverted from the mainframe’s general purpose processor (GPP) and offloaded to the System z9 Integration Information Processor (zIIP) and/or System z Application Assist Processor (zAAP) specialty engines. 

SOAWorld Magazine’s “SOA World Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards”
SOA World Magazine announced that nominations are now open for the SOA World Magazine Readers' Choice Awards, which recognize excellence in the software, solutions, or services provided by the industry's top vendors. SYS-CON's Readers' Choice Awards, also known as the "Oscars of the Software Industry," has been one of the most prestigious industry award programs for more than a decade. This year's SOA awards will be given in 19 categories and the award-winning products and services will be selected by SOA World Magazine readers. Winners will be announced at the SOA World Conference & Expo 2008 East, June 23-24 in New York City.

Service-oriented architectures have evolved over the past few years out of the original vision of loosely coupled Web services replacing constrained, stovepiped applications throughout enterprise IT. Every major enterprise technology vendor today has developed its own SOA strategy, supported by innumerable mid-size companies and start-ups offering specific SOA aspects or entire solutions.

Nominated Products and Services by Category: 
Best App Server
Best Automation Tool
Best BPM Engine
Best Framework
Best IDE
Best Integration Tool
Best Legacy Adapter
Best Open Source SOA Tool
Best Portal Platform
Best Security Solution
Best SOA or XML Site
Best SOA or XML Training
Best SOA Platform
Best SOA Testing Tool
Best SOA Tool
Best SOA/Web Services Book
Best Web Services Utility
Best XML Database
Best XML Parser

SOA World Conference & Expo 2007 Sponsors
In 2007, SOA World Conference & Expo was sponsored by the world’s leading SOA companies including Active Endpoints, BEA Systems, Laszlo Systems, Nexaweb, TIBCO Software, WSO2, IBM, Parasoft, webMethods, Sybase, B-hive, iTKO, Managed Methods, Mellanox Technologies, Nastel, NextAxiom, RingCube, Two Roads Professional Resources, Web Age Solutions, Solstice Software, Fiorano Software, iTKO, Layer 7 Technologies, PushToTest, Ruby on Gears, Farata Systems, Tenfold, Thinstall, Trivera Technologies, BZMedia, Extension Media, GoingToMeet, ITtoolbox, Methods & Tools, SDTimes, Software Test & Performance, TechTracker Media, ZapThink, OASIS, and SOA Consortium.