Abstract: A service management system and method. In one embodiment, the service management system includes: (1) a service description repository configured to contain service descriptions that define services in terms of a set of end points that assume roles in the services and (2) a self-service application configured to collect ones of the end points mapped into roles pertaining to one of the services from a corresponding one of the service descriptions, collect key/value pairs on the ones of the end points pertaining to an issue with respect to the one of the services, evaluate the key/value pairs using optimal values and, if a predefined condition regarding the issue is met, attempt to employ the key/value pairs to address the issue.

Abstract: A service management system and a method of executing a policy. In one embodiment, the service management system includes: (1) a repository configured to contain device, system, subscriber and service descriptions that define services in terms of a set of systems and devices that assume roles based on at least one of capabilities and attributes thereof and (2) a policy engine coupled to the repository and configured to employ the repository to identify end points relevant to a policy, identify services in which any of the end points play a role, identify subscribers having an identified device of the end points and a subscription to an identified service and cause the policy to be executed with respect to identified devices of identified subscribers and identified systems.

Abstract: A service management application and method. In one embodiment, the service management system includes: (1) a service description repository configured to contain service descriptions that define services in terms of a set of end points that assume roles based on at least one of capabilities and attributes thereof, the end points being selected from the group consisting of devices and systems and (2) an application associable with the service description repository and configured to compare capabilities of at least one of the end points with required capabilities expressed in at least one role of at least one of the service descriptions and present a service offering to a subscriber based thereon.

Abstract: A service management system and method. In one embodiment, the service management system includes: (1) a service description repository configured to contain service descriptions that define services in terms of a set of systems and devices that assume roles based on at least one of capabilities and attributes thereof and (2) a service management engine coupled to the service description repository and configured to employ one of the service descriptions to repair a corresponding one of the services using a predefined relationship among a subscriber, at least one of the systems and devices and optimal values.

Abstract: An application and method for dynamically presenting data regarding end points and services relative to a subscriber. In one embodiment, the application is operable with a service management system and is configured to employ the service management system to determine relationships between a subscriber and services and end points associated therewith and generate a user interface that provides a view, based on the relationships, of at least one of: (1) one of the services in terms of end points that play roles in the one of the services and (2) one of the end points in terms of services in which the one of the end points plays a role.

Abstract: A normalization engine and a method of requesting a key or performing an operation pertaining to an end point. In one embodiment, the normalization engine includes: (1) a data manager configured to receive a request to execute an operation or obtain a key/value pair pertaining to an end point and determine a normalized version of the key in the key/value pair and (2) a normalization mapping repository configured to contain normalization mechanisms, the data manager further configured to employ the normalized version to obtain one of the normalization mechanisms from the normalization mapping repository, carry out the normalization mechanism and employ a data source corresponding to the end point to retrieve a device-specific value corresponding to the normalized version.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for generating visual representations of services. In one embodiment, one method generates a static visual representation and includes: (1) retrieving a service description associated with the service, (2) retrieving end points associated with the service, (3) mapping the end points into roles assumed with respect to the service description and (4) for at least some of the roles, rendering the end points in the visual representation.

Abstract: A service management system and a method of performing service diagnostics. In one embodiment, the service management system includes: (1) a service description repository configured to contain service descriptions that define services in terms of end points that assume roles based on at least one of the capabilities and attributes thereof, (2) a diagnostic rule definition repository configured to contain diagnostic rules pertaining to problem areas regarding the services and (3) a diagnostic engine coupled to the service description repository and the diagnostic rule definition repository and configured to retrieve at least one diagnostic rule based on a subscriber, a service and a problem area, evaluate at least one diagnostic rule to produce at least one solution, retrieve data regarding end points associated with the service and return a possible solution.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for identifying and calling functions to perform various tasks. One aspect provides a method of exposing a set of device-specific functions associated with a subscriber. In one embodiment, the method includes: (1) identifying service descriptions associated with the subscriber, (2) mapping end points associated with the subscriber to roles in at least one of the service descriptions and (3) collecting at least one function associated with the at least one role in the at least one of the service descriptions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely installing and executing software on a mobile device. A work item is formed that includes the software to be installed and executed, and a remote-execution command message is sent to the mobile device. The mobile device authenticates the remote-execution command message before extracting the remote-execution command and using it to request a download of the work item. The remote-execution command message is preferably an SMS message including a hook so that it is quickly recognizable as a remote-execution command message by the mobile device. When the work item arrives, it is authenticated before it is executed. When the mobile device determines that the execution is complete, it sends a notification to the remote-execution server.

Abstract: A service management system and method. In one embodiment, the service management system includes: (1) a service description repository configured to contain service descriptions that define services in terms of a set of systems and devices that assume roles based on at least one of capabilities and attributes thereof and (2) a service management engine coupled to the service description repository and configured to employ the service description repository and at least one of the systems to deliver a service corresponding to at least one of the service descriptions via at least one of the devices.

Abstract: A service management system and a method of remotely activating a service. In one embodiment, the service management system includes: (1) a service description repository configured to contain service descriptions that define services in terms of a set of end points that assume roles based on at least one of the capabilities and attributes thereof and (2) a service management engine coupled to the service description repository and configured to employ at least one relationship contained in one of the service descriptions in the service description repository to pre-qualify ones of the end points associated with one of the services and activate the one of the services with respect to a subscriber.

Abstract: A service management system and method. In one embodiment, the service management system includes: (1) a service description repository configured to contain service descriptions that define services in terms of a set of end points that assume roles in the services and (2) a self-service application configured to collect ones of the end points mapped into roles pertaining to one of the services from a corresponding one of the service descriptions, collect key/value pairs on the ones of the end points pertaining to an issue with respect to the one of the services, evaluate the key/value pairs using optimal values and, if a predefined condition regarding the issue is met, attempt to employ the key/value pairs to address the issue.

Abstract: A service management system and a method of performing service diagnostics. In one embodiment, the service management system includes: (1) a service description repository configured to contain service descriptions that define services in terms of end points that assume roles based on at least one of the capabilities and attributes thereof, (2) a diagnostic rule definition repository configured to contain diagnostic rules pertaining to problem areas regarding the services and (3) a diagnostic engine coupled to the service description repository and the diagnostic rule definition repository and configured to retrieve at least one diagnostic rule based on a subscriber, a service and a problem area, evaluate at least one diagnostic rule to produce at least one solution, retrieve data regarding end points associated with the service and return a possible solution.

Abstract: A normalization engine and a method of requesting a key or performing an operation pertaining to an end point. In one embodiment, the normalization engine includes: (1) a data manager configured to receive a request to execute an operation or obtain a key/value pair pertaining to an end point and determine a normalized version of the key in the key/value pair and (2) a normalization mapping repository configured to contain normalization mechanisms, the data manager further configured to employ the normalized version to obtain one of the normalization mechanisms from the normalization mapping repository, carry out the normalization mechanism and employ a data source corresponding to the end point to retrieve a device-specific value corresponding to the normalized version.

Abstract: A service management application and method. In one embodiment, the service management system includes: (1) a service description repository configured to contain service descriptions that define services in terms of a set of end points that assume roles based on at least one of capabilities and attributes thereof, the end points being selected from the group consisting of devices and systems and (2) an application associable with the service description repository and configured to compare capabilities of at least one of the end points with required capabilities expressed in at least one role of at least one of the service descriptions and present a service offering to a subscriber based thereon.

Abstract: A service management system and method. In one embodiment, the service management system includes: (1) a service description repository configured to contain service descriptions that define services in terms of a set of systems and devices that assume roles based on at least one of capabilities and attributes thereof and (2) a service management engine coupled to the service description repository and configured to employ one of the service descriptions to repair a corresponding one of the services using a predefined relationship among a subscriber, at least one of the systems and devices and optimal values.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for provisioning and/or unprovisioning an end point. One aspect provides a method of provisioning an end point. In one embodiment, the method include: (1) mapping the end point into a role in a service associated with a subscriber and (2) calling at least one function associated with the role, the function causing values to be transmitted to the end point to provision the end point with respect to the service.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for identifying and calling functions to perform various tasks. One aspect provides a method of exposing a set of device-specific functions associated with a subscriber. In one embodiment, the method includes: (1) identifying service descriptions associated with the subscriber, (2) mapping end points associated with the subscriber to roles in at least one of the service descriptions and (3) collecting at least one function associated with the at least one role in the at least one of the service descriptions.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for identifying functions and data with respect to a service. One aspect provides a method of exposing a service-specific function associated with a subscriber. In one embodiment, the method includes: (1) determining services to which the subscriber has subscriptions, (2) retrieving service descriptions associated with the services and (3) retrieving at least one function associated with the service descriptions as a whole.