Abstract: A method of configuring a software product comprises accessing a user model, the user model defining one or more user roles and one or more tasks, each task linked to a role, accessing a task to software function map, the map defining one or more software functions of the software product and one or more tasks, each software function linked to a task, and configuring the software product so that access to the software product according to a specific user role is via a user interface supporting the software functions linked to the specific role via the tasks.

Abstract: A method of configuring a software product comprises accessing a user model, the user model defining one or more user roles and one or more tasks, each task linked to a role, accessing a task to software function map, the map defining one or more software functions of the software product and one or more tasks, each software function linked to a task, and configuring the software product so that access to the software product according to a specific user role is via a user interface supporting the software functions linked to the specific role via the tasks.

Abstract: Problems are resolved in a business process that includes application programs that run on an Information Technology (IT) infrastructure having IT components. A symptom is generated that identifies a problem in the business process. Selected application programs and/or IT components in the IT infrastructure that may cause the problem in the business process are identified, based on the symptom. A respective situation for a respective selected application program and/or IT component is obtained. The respective situation is one of a set of component-independent predefined situation categories that is associated with a respective selected application program and/or IT component. The respective situations provide the status of the selected application programs and/or IT components in a common situation format that includes the associated one of the component-independent predefined situation categories.

Abstract: Calibration factors determine how topograpy components are designed and built in order to support the management philosophies and methodologies. A marketing analysis may be used to identify the calibration factors that are needed to support a large market. In this manner, many calibration factors may be applied to a single topography requirement so that multiple operating environments and multiple management philosophies are supported by the topography. The components are stored in a component library and calibration factors corresponding to the components are stored in a data store. A customer's management philosophy, methodology, and operating environments are compared with the component metadata in order to identify suitable topography components which are installed on client computer systems to form to topography. Topography-neutral application components are adapted for installation on any topography regardless of the customer's management characteristics and operating environments.

Abstract: A system and method for developing topography based management systems is presented. A software system is designed using a layered approach that provides a topography that is suitable to a particular management philosophy or particular customer requirements. The topography can be viewed as a fabric that provides an infrastructure that supports the customer's management philosophy and other requirements. The topography addresses deployment mechanisms, such as interfaces between applications and users, security infrastructure, such as what control is asserted and maintained for the topography, component interaction defining how components installed on the topography interact with one another, and operation conduits that determine where and how processing is performed within the infrastructure. These same capabilities are addressed by other topographies that are developed. Common topography-neutral application components are designed and built to be installed on any topography.

Abstract: Problems are resolved in a business process that includes application programs that run on an Information Technology (IT) infrastructure having IT components. A symptom is generated that identifies a problem in the business process. Selected application programs and/or IT components in the IT infrastructure that may cause the problem in the business process are identified, based on the symptom. A respective situation for a respective selected application program and/or IT component is obtained. The respective situation is one of a set of component-independent predefined situation categories that is associated with a respective selected application program and/or IT component. The respective situations provide the status of the selected application programs and/or IT components in a common situation format that includes the associated one of the component-independent predefined situation categories.

Abstract: A method for limiting access of each of a plurality of operators having assigned activities in an overall workflow distribution, to computer resources needed to respectively complete each activity through a computer controlled interactive display interface. A workflow distribution process with a plurality of users or participants at a plurality of computer controlled display stations. At the workflow management source, an implementation for respectively assigning activities to each of a plurality of operators and for designating for each of the activities, at least one computer resource necessary to respectively complete each of the activities. A set of elements, each representing a designated computer resource accessible to a user to carry out an assigned activity is displayed. An implementation for determining the completion of each of the assigned activities, and for removing from the display the elements representing the designated computer resources when an activity is completed.

Abstract: A method for limiting access to the proprietary resources of an outsourcer or distributor to the participants/operators having assigned outsourced activities requiring such resources. Access is limited only to the assigned activity execution and prevented from misuse of the resources for unauthorized purposes. Reliable tracking of the lent out resources is provided and access is terminated simply when the associated activity has been completed.

Abstract: Calibration factors determine how topograpy components are designed and built in order to support the management philosophies and methodologies. A marketing analysis may be used to identify the calibration factors that are needed to support a large market. In this manner, many calibration factors may be applied to a single topography requirement so that multiple operating environments and multiple management philosophies are supported by the topography. The components are stored in a component library and calibration factors corresponding to the components are stored in a data store. A customer's management philosophy, methodology, and operating environments are compared with the component metadata in order to identify suitable topography components which are installed on client computer systems to form to topography. Topography-neutral application components are adapted for installation on any topography regardless of the customer's management characteristics and operating environments.

Abstract: A system and method for developing topography based management systems is presented. A software system is designed using a layered approach that provides a topography that is suitable to a particular management philosophy or particular customer requirements. The topography can be viewed as a fabric that provides an infrastructure that supports the customer's management philosophy and other requirements. The topography addresses deployment mechanisms, such as interfaces between applications and users, security infrastructure, such as what control is asserted and maintained for the topography, component interaction defining how components installed on the topography interact with one another, and operation conduits that determine where and how processing is performed within the infrastructure. These same capabilities are addressed by other topographies that are developed. Common topography-neutral application components are designed and built to be installed on any topography.