Patent ID: 7941321
Filing Date: 2011-05-10
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method of facilitating management of service elements, said method comprising: selecting a service element to be defined, said service element usable in providing services to at least one of an in-house customer and an outsourcing customer, said service element being a non-executable entity and providing at least part of a design specification usable in constructing a service by a service provider, said service element comprising multiple properties, said multiple properties comprising one or more composition items and a cost case, said cost case including an indication of quantity of the one or more composition items of the service element and cost to the service provider of the one or more composition items and wherein said multiple properties further comprise one or more functional dependencies for the service element identifying at least one other service element required for the service element to function; defining, by a processor, the service element using a data structure which includes the multiple properties of the service element, said data structure comprising a relational, structured set of information associated with the service element, said relational structured set of information comprising a cross-reference table representing relationship of the service element to one or more other service elements of a plurality of service elements being managed, wherein said cross-reference table includes reference to the at least one other service element required for the service element to function; generating and saving a development plan for the service element in the data structure representation of the service element; generating a deployment plan for the service element using the development plan, wherein the deployment plan directs customization or integration of entities within the service element pursuant to the development plan; saving the deployment plan for the service element in the data structure representation of the service element; and constructing the service element to be developed by the service provider, the constructing including employing the relational structured set of information to identify and employ the one or more other service elements required for the service element to be developed.