Patent ID: 8140446
Filing Date: 2012-03-20
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method, performed on at least one computing device, for applying brokering methods to operational support characteristics, the method comprising: translating configuration information that pertains to a plurality of operational support service categories into distinct quantities of resource units, each quantity attributable to a distinct operational support category; for each distinct operational support service category, dividing the quantity of resource units by an associated cost for each of a set of service levels using the at least one computing device; for each distinct operational support service category, determining a maximum quantity of each of the set of service levels that can be allocated for the quantity of resource units using the at least one computing device; generating a matrix including possible configurations of the quantity of resource units and the set of service levels for each distinct operational support service category, using the at least one computing device; providing the matrix to a resource unit broker; receiving a winning bid for one of the distinct operational support service categories from an auction performed by the resource unit broker; and applying a multiplier to the winning bid to adjust the cost of the winning bid based on a service level of the winning bid using the at least one computing device.