Patent ID: 7571082
Filing Date: 2009-08-04
Classification: G06Q,Y02P

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for generating a composite model from a plurality of component models, the apparatus including a computing device with a processor and instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the computing device to implement: a repository containing said plurality of component models, each component model in the plurality of component models being a software-based discrete event simulation that is designed to dynamically represent performance characteristics and capacity constraints of a different core business function in a plurality of core business functions, each core business function in the plurality of core business functions being an information technology function employed in a business, each component model in the plurality of component models including at least: a port object that designates an interface at which said component model is able to interact with another component model in the plurality of component models; a port specification object that defines specific capabilities and constraints associated with the port object; and a legacy marker object that provides a persistent identifier of said component model; a composite model builder that, when executed by the processor: receives a composite model specification as input, the composite model specification specifying the legacy marker objects of selected component models in the plurality of component models; uses port specification objects of the selected component models to validate channels between port objects of the selected component models; generates the channels when the channels are successfully validated, the channels providing pathways for exchange of message blocks between the port objects of the selected component models; and outputs said composite model, said composite model comprising the selected component models and the channels, said composite model dynamically representing performance characteristics and capacity constraints of a high-level business function of the business, said high-level business function using each of the core business functions represented by the selected component models, said high-level business function fulfilling a specific end-user need; and a simulation tool that, when executed by the processor, generates data representing performance characteristics of the high-level business function by executing the composite model.