Markus Zirn is a senior director of product management for Oracle Fusion Middleware. He heads the Strategic Customer Program, where he works with Oracle's most innovative middleware customers. Recently, he produced the "SOA Best Practices-The BPEL Cookbook" series on Oracle Technology Network. He has practical experience designing and optimizing business processes - conducting multiple business process re-engineering projects while a consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton. He holds a master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Karlsruhe, Germany; the University of Southampton, U.K.; and ESIEE, France.