New research shows that an overall lack of awareness of SOA is a key factor constraining wider adoption.

During a visit to Australia last week, Gary Barnett, a U.K.-based research director at Ovum Ltd., said SOA topped the agenda when speaking to clients.

Barnett met with 10 government agencies during his visit including Centrelink and the Australian Customs Service.

"They wanted to know how SOA actually works in practice and how to develop a business case," Barnett said.

There is definitely a high level of interest, he said, but clients are still working to understand how they can migrate to SOA.