Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) Practice Exam

In a service-oriented architecture, which of the following best describes a service?

1. Storing data in a centralized database

2. Matching an invoice with a purchase order

3. Providing customer support

4. Developing new software applications

The correct answer is: Matching an invoice with a purchase order

In a service-oriented architecture (SOA), a service is best described as a discrete, self-contained unit of functionality that performs a specific task. This involves encapsulating a particular business function, which can be accessed and utilized by other components or applications within the architecture. Among the options provided, matching an invoice with a purchase order represents a specific business process tailored to improve operational efficiency and demonstrates clear input and output, making it a well-defined service. When considering other options, storing data in a centralized database is more about data management than a discrete service function. Providing customer support, while it might seem like a straightforward service, often encompasses a range of activities and doesn't fit the precise, task-oriented nature of a service within SOA. Developing new software applications, although valuable, refers to a broader concept of software engineering rather than the delivery of a specific business function as a service does. Thus, matching an invoice with a purchase order stands out as the best example of a defined service within the service-oriented framework.