Industry pundits have been touting 2005 as the year for service-oriented architecture (SOA). While naysayers think it's all hype, analysts are backing up their claims with solid numbers.

Companies of all sizes have already adopted SOA or have it on their radar for 2005, according to a report from Forrester Research Inc., in which 116 North American corporate decision makers were surveyed.

The Cambridge, Mass.-based research firm found that more than 70% of large enterprises, 28% of medium-sized enterprises and 22% of small to midsized businesses (SMBs) are using SOA today. When factoring in those firms expecting to adopt SOA by year's end, the numbers soar to 89%, 61% and 40%, respectively.