Abstract: A software development platform comprising one or more user-selectable modular units containing a vertical stack of back-end business logic. One or more user-selectable modular units containing domain model components. One or more user-selectable modular units containing front end presentation components. A virtual appliance comprising application-specific logic that includes one or more of the modular units containing the vertical stack of back-end business logic, one or more of the user-selectable modular units containing the domain model components and one or more of the user-selectable modular units containing front end presentation components.

Abstract: A method of for system management, comprising initiating a workflow operating on a processor. Initiating a sub-workflow operating on the processor from the workflow. Electronically reading state data for one or more resources designated by the sub-workflow prior to performing a first logical process of the sub-workflow. Storing the state data in a non-transient data memory. Performing logical processes associated with the sub-workflow using the processor. Restoring the state data for the one or more resources if it is determined that an error has occurred.

Abstract: A method for template derivation comprising generating a plurality of templates using a processor, each template having a plurality of unfixed attributes. The plurality of templates are stored in a non-transient data memory. One of the plurality of templates is retrieved using the processor. One or more of the unfixed attributes of the retrieved template is fixed. The modified template is stored as a new template having a plurality fixed attributes and a plurality of unfixed attributes.

Abstract: A software development platform comprising one or more user-selectable modular units containing a vertical stack of back-end business logic. One or more user-selectable modular units containing domain model components. One or more user-selectable modular units containing front end presentation components. A virtual appliance comprising application-specific logic that includes one or more of the modular units containing the vertical stack of back-end business logic, one or more of the user-selectable modular units containing the domain model components and one or more of the user-selectable modular units containing front end presentation components.

Abstract: A method of for system management, comprising initiating a workflow operating on a processor. Initiating a sub-workflow operating on the processor from the workflow. Electronically reading state data for one or more resources designated by the sub-workflow prior to performing a first logical process of the sub-workflow. Storing the state data in a non-transient data memory. Performing logical processes associated with the sub-workflow using the processor. Restoring the state data for the one or more resources if it is determined that an error has occurred.

Abstract: A system for representing devices in a software application, comprising a plurality of templates, each having an associated device, each of the templates configured to be added to an operating software application. A plurality of resource models, each storing state data for one of the plurality of devices, each of resource models configured to be added to the operating software application. A plurality of drivers, each associated with one of the plurality of devices, each of the drivers configured to be added to the operating software application, and wherein the plurality of templates, the plurality of resource models and the plurality of drivers are stored in a non-transient electronic data memory as a single associated unit.

Abstract: A method for template derivation comprising generating a plurality of templates using a processor, each template having a plurality of unfixed attributes. The plurality of templates are stored in a non-transient data memory. One of the plurality of templates is retrieved using the processor. One or more of the unfixed attributes of the retrieved template is fixed. The modified template is stored as a new template having a plurality fixed attributes and a plurality of unfixed attributes.