Patent ID: 6529877
Filing Date: 2003-03-04
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
Apparatus for allocating equipment of a plurality of types for installation to provide service functionality of predetermined types in a pre-existing installation, each equipment type being suitable for at least one of the service functionality types, and at least one such service functionality exists for which a plurality of the equipment types are suitable, the apparatus comprising:means for storing information relating to the suitability of each equipment type for providing each service functionality type; means for storing information relating to the pre-existing installation; means for storing information relating to the availability of each equipment type; means for generating, from the stored information, a plurality of proposals for installation of equipment in the pre-existing installation to provide required service functionality according to the availability and suitability of each equipment type and the information relating to the pre-existing installation; and means for ranking the plurality of generated proposals according to predetermined planning rules based on the suitability of the equipment types, means for allowing a user to select one of the proposals and means for recording the selection of a proposal other than the highest ranked proposal.