Sun Microsystems Inc. plans to offer computing solutions called service-oriented architecture, or SOA, in India and aims to have a dozen clients in the first half of 2008.

SOA refers to the modular approach a software or information system is configured and integrated which allow its users to pick and choose features they need, making the system faster and potentially cheaper. It delivers this by a design that separates core functions of the software from other not so critical features.

Sun’s SOA solutions help customers architect, implement and manage their software created based on such an architecture and standards that allow them to work easily with other systems or software. Based on the findings of technology research firm International Data Corp., Sun estimates there is a market worth some $90 million, or Rs354 crore, growing at 38% annually, for SOA offerings in India.