Which architecture enables communication across various applications and protocols?

Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) is designed to enable communication and integration across different applications and protocols by creating a framework in which services can be published, discovered, and invoked in a standardized manner. SOA allows various software components to communicate and interact with each other without needing to know the specifics of each other’s underlying implementations. This interoperability is crucial in modern computing environments, where applications may be built using different programming languages or platforms.

By utilizing protocols such as SOAP, REST, and others, SOA facilitates the exchange of data and functionality across disparate systems. This makes it an essential architecture for enterprises that rely on multiple software applications needing to work together seamlessly. Through the use of well-defined interfaces and service contracts, SOA promotes flexibility and reuse of software components, contributing to a more agile IT infrastructure.

In contrast, the other options focus on specific functionalities or purposes rather than enabling cross-communication between disparate systems. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems integrate core business processes but are not designed specifically for cross-application communication. Data Life Cycle Management (DLM) is concerned with the management of data as it moves through its lifecycle rather than focusing on application interoperability. Content Management Systems (CMS) primarily manage content rather than facilitating interaction between various applications