We've officially launched a new website dedicated to providing invaluable information around building Services Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Business Process Management (BPM) solutions using the Microsoft platform. As a part of this site , we've released our latest roadmap and product strategy around the next generation of Microsoft SOA-based technologies, codenamed "Oslo", to included updated messaging and workflow technologies in BizTalk Server and other products starting in 2009. The "Olso"

One of the things I've heard from people when I show them the Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) is that they would like some sort of "Service Designer" similar to the class designer inside of Visual Studio 2005, but that allows you to visually define your services. Well, the next version of the Service Factory from patterns & practices will have such a designer. You can learn more about it here . I'm installing it right now and plan on lining up a webcast in the future to cover it. -Mar

By way of Don Smith . Details: http://blogs.msdn.com/donsmith/archive/2007/01/09/come-and-get-yer-service-factory.aspx The two features that jumped out at me are support for the Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) and "WSDL-first support." The direct download is here . UPDATE: Here are two really good MSDN articles on the Service Factory from Aaron Skonnard : Web Service Software Factory http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/06/12/ServiceStation/ The Service Factory for WCF http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/07/02/ServiceStation/default.aspx

Edward Jezierski just announced it here . "The Web Client Software Factory is a guidance offering currently under development that will provide comprehensive architecture guidance to help customers build web solutions using the Microsoft platform (ASP.NET, ASP.NET AJAX, Workflow Foundation, etc)." This is the fourth Software Factory the patterns & practices folks have released. I've been looking forward to this one. The others are: Smart Client Software Factory Mobile Client Software Factory

While federal developers aren’t exactly MicroISVs , the Project GlidePath software factory still may be of interest. It provides some useful information on developing with the .Net Framework 3.0 and is a great example of a Software Factory . For information, check out the Channel 9 video . The official GlidePath site is: http://www.projectglidepath.net/glidepath/overview.aspx -David Technorati Tags: Microsoft , .Net Framework 3.0 , Windows Vista , Software Factories

Just check out the latest issue at http://msdn.microsoft.com/Flash/ This a bi-weekly newsletter that can be customized to the topics you are most interested in. Mine arrived this morning and contained info on the redesigned Windows Vista Developer Center . A pointer to a free book on Office 2007 System First Look 2007 Microsoft Office System (Downloadable PDF; 6,080 KB) Links to local training events, like this one below: Developer Security Training June 27, 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., Ft. Lauderdale,

The content for the 2006 Microsoft Federal Architect Forum will be posted on Federaldeveloper.com (link is here: http://tinyurl.com/luawt ) For those who were able to attend, thank you! - Keith