Abstract: A method for creating and delivering customer solutions includes analyzing a customer's requirements; selecting at least one solution building block as part of a customer solution; and delivering at least one customer solution. The at least one solution building block comprises a preconfigured bundle of at least one asset comprising at least one of a hardware product, software product, service, or another solution building block. The at least one solution building block has been at least one of previously tested or successfully deployed in a customer environment for solving a business, infrastructure, or application problem.

Abstract: Provided is a method for generating an on-demand, custom runtime solution to a user or business's computing needs. A library of software components corresponding to different computing tasks of a business situation is created. Each software component is associated with one or more meta descriptors. The software components and related meta descriptors are managed by means of a software component meta management system (SCMMS). Based upon customer, input, various components are selected, or filtered, for incorporation into a business runtime solution. In addition to the user input, user queries are feedback into the SCMMS so that the SCMMS accumulates knowledge about the customer's usage. The knowledge is then employed to facilitate and improve the generation of future runtime solutions for both the customer and other customers.

Abstract: Provided is a method for generating an on-demand, custom runtime solution to a user or business's computing needs. A library of software components corresponding to different computing tasks of a business situation is created. Each software component is associated with one or more meta descriptors. Aggregate descriptors are created that define relationships between software components and other software components, software components and aggregate descriptors and between aggregate descriptors. The software components and related meta and aggregate descriptors are managed by means of a software component meta management system (SCMMS). Employing the SCMMS, software components are registered and managed in a hierarchical structure based upon the interrelationships among the software components and the aggregate descriptors. The hierarchical structure is multi-layered, with different layers having different scopes. Users specify the number of levels and how the levels are defined.

Abstract: Provided is a method for generating an on-demand, custom runtime solution to a user or business's computing needs A library of software components corresponding to different computing tasks of a business situation is created. Each software component is associated with one or more meta descriptors. The software components and related meta descriptors are managed by means of a software component meta management system (SCMMS). Meta descriptors are self adaptive in a manner that reflects real use scenarios. Meta descriptors describe both static and dynamic attributes of components.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically aggregating and bundling electronic document files related to a newly designed or revised computing system solution having a plurality of configured instantiations of component behavioral models, each of instantiation having been previously configured via behavioral parameters interface parameters, including a documentation retriever which verifies configuration completion of the instances, determines if one or more electronic documents are available for each instance, and retrieves the electronic documents; a documentation bundler which aggregates the retrieved documents into an electronically deliverable document bundle; and a documentation transmitter which transmits the document bundle to a customer. Document bundles can include common single-file aggregations, such as archive, cabinet, or ZIP files, or may include an index page having links to organized documents stored on a server.

Abstract: Provided is a method for estimating costs in a dynamically generated business solution based upon reusable components. Each component is assigned to one or more categories based upon attributes such as the business problems that the particular component addresses. Categories are also based upon particular industries, integration points between components, solution areas and other criteria, including the experience of typical users. To address a specific business problem, one or more appropriate core business components are selected. Additional components are selected by a generation engine based upon the selected core components, their corresponding categories. Once selected, each of the components is assigned a cost, the cost of each component reflecting the expected cost to implement the corresponding component in the business solution. A total cost is generated based upon the cost associated with selected components plus an estimate of system costs associated with deployment.

Abstract: Provided is a method for creating business solutions components in a manner that enables the components to be reusable among multiple business solutions. Two potential types of components include “off-the-shelf” software or hardware products and custom products developed for other projects and stored in a component library. Each component is assigned to one or more categories based upon attributes such as the business problems that the particular component addresses. Categories are also based upon criteria such as particular industries associated with a component, integration points between components, solution areas and the experiences of typical users. Categories enable interdependencies among components to be defined so that, for example, a component that includes executable logic can be associated with a component that includes a corresponding user manual. Also provided are means for managing practice manifests describing the categories assigned to business assets associated with each category.

Abstract: A license package generator for use with a solution builder tool, which determines if one or more licenses are available for each behavioral model instance in a computing solution, obtains a license code for each configured behavioral model instance for which a license is available, and generates a license package including the obtained license codes. If a component does not require a license, or if a license is required but unavailable, a note is made in the license package to that affect. The system preferably interfaces to and cooperates with a license management system, and a contract compliance management system.

Abstract: Provided is a system method for providing a Solutions Runtime and Value Assets Assembly (SRVAA) toolset. The toolset includes a listing of available hardware and software components, along with information on each components functions and dependencies. This information is stored in character files, along with information about relevant industries, integration points between components, solution areas or any other criteria depending upon experiences of typical users of the toolset. A deployment package can be assembled for a particular business such that the business is assured that the package includes all required business functionality relating to a particular business problem without unnecessary components. Components include, but are not limited to, hardware, executable logic, or modules, for performing specific functions, setup and installation scripts, user manuals and other documentation.

Abstract: Provided is a method for estimating expenses and return on investment (ROI) in a dynamically generated business solution based upon reusable components. Each component is assigned to one or more categories based upon attributes such as the business problems that the particular component addresses. Categories are also based upon particular industries, integration points between components, solution areas and other criteria, including the experience of typical users. To address a specific business problem, one or more appropriate core business components are selected. Additional components are selected by a generation engine based upon the selected core components, their corresponding categories. Once selected, each of the components is assigned an expense, the expense of each component reflecting the expected cost to operate the corresponding component in the business solution. A ROI is generated based upon the expense and a cost associated implementing the system.

Abstract: Provided is a method for specifying business solution requirements. A potential solution is divided in requirement elements. Requirement element include, but are not limited to, hardware, executable logic, or modules, for performing specific functions, user manuals and other documentation corresponding to particular hardware and modules. Each requirement element is categorized into a corresponding requirement descriptor, each of which is comprised of metadata. Metadata includes, but is not limited to, information about the corresponding industries, integration points between elements, solution areas, criteria depending upon experiences of typical users, and any dependencies the element may have upon other elements. Metadata is stored in a storage means and employed by a Solutions Runtime and Value Assets Assembly (SRVAA) toolset to generate a solution package that address the business problem.