A small start-up called Hire a Hero has decided to use technology for a good cause--helping soldiers leaving the military to get jobs. The effort centers on connecting the vets with potential employers using Web 2.0 social networking tools. CIO.com reports that after some ups and downs, the company found a solution built on service-oriented architecture (SOA) that enabled it to achieve its goals at a low cost, with vendors donating some services because the company has gained non-profit status.

Brac Selph, the executive director of Hire a Hero, said their system helps organize information about employees and potential employers, allowing both to enter information about themselves while providing a social networking functionality.

By adopting and adjusting the service-oriented architecture, Selph said his four-person company can communicate across different data sources and make the system fit its needs. His experience also provides a guide to using a services model to increase efficiency and cut costs.

For more on tech and heros:
- see this CIO.com article [1]