Page 99 - Reference framework for integrated management of an SSC - A U4SSC deliverable on city platforms

This architectural approach also makes it easily scalable, allowing it to meet another great challenge,
for example, applying emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, blockchain, Internet
of Things, and digital twin.

6.3.1 Service-Oriented Architecture

On the path of the digital transformation of cities, a major critical element is the adoption of service-
oriented application architecture (SOA).

The SOA architecture allows the creation of highly scalable information systems that reflect the
business of the organization. In turn, it provides a well-defined form of exposure and invocation of
services, which facilitates the interaction between different own or third-party systems.

Among these benefits, the following should be highlighted:

• Greater visibility of relevant information: Within the SOA architecture, specific components are
included to define, generate and present, in real time, the selected relevant information.
• Greater flexibility, agility and scalability in IT systems to respond and adapt to changing
requirements.

o Process logic is not embedded in applications, which facilitates and simplifies its modification.
o Highly re-usable technological services.

o Significant reduction in the time needed to modify a service and/or implement a new one.

• Simpler and more rational technological infrastructure, with lower costs and simpler management.

o New systems are integrated only once so that the integration costs are linear and not
exponential.
o Centralized systems management.

o Central monitoring and control of the systems.

The SOA Architecture organizes technological resources as if they were services so that they can
be disposed of without attending to their internal logic and facilitating their re-use. Its fundamental
principles are as follows:

1. Clear separation between business logic and presentation logic.
2. Execution logic is divided into “services”, with clearly defined access and use procedures.

3. Any application or service, “duly qualified/identified”, may use another service in real time
through the appropriate interface.

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