Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for decision making under uncertainty. A causality framework is provided to define relationships between an alternative (Ai) of a set of alternatives and at least one performance indicator of a set of performance indicators. A k-concurrent lottery (Li) associated with the alternative (Ai) is conducted, the alternative (Ai) having consequences over k ones of the set of performance indicators. The k-concurrent lottery (Li) is homogenized over the set of performance indicators if the k ones is less than a number of the set of performance indicators. An expected utility of the k-concurrent lottery (Li) for each one of the set of alternatives is computed. One alternative is selected from the set of alternatives, the selection occurring in accordance with a selection criteria based on the expected utility.

Abstract: In a method 1100 of linking model instances to packages, a service instantiation request is received 1110. The service instantiation request is associated 1120 with service model instance. Linked instances are generated 1130 between the service model instance and available packages. The linked instances are evaluated 1140. Based on the evaluating, a most efficient linked instance of the linked instances is selected 1150 to include in a bound package model of the service instantiation request.

Abstract: In a method of instantiating an information technology (IT) service in light of maintenance requirements, maintenance window instances are determined. The maintenance instance windows are associated with reusable service instances available in a datacenter. The maintenance window instances are analyzed in conjunction with a service model of said IT service to determine a maintenance efficient binding of a selection of said reusable service instances with which to provide an instance of said IT service.

Abstract: In a method 500 of controlling cloud services a single cloud services controller system 110 presents a plurality of cloud services portals 205 for facilitating self-service interaction. The plurality of cloud services portals 205 that are presented include: a consumer services portal 205-1, a design services portal 205-2, an administrative services portal 205-3, an operations management services portal 205-4, and a business management services portal 205-n. Based upon interaction received via one or more of the cloud services portals 205, an instantiation of resources 260 with which to provide a requested cloud-based service is determined. The instantiation of resources 260 is actuated in a data center 130 via interaction with existing data center management capabilities 131 to affect implementation of the requested cloud-based service within the data center 130.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for evaluating the performance of a website. An agent interacts with the website using a behavior model of an exemplary website customer. The agent interacts with the website according to the behavior model and gathers website performance data related to the interaction. The performance data is compared to a utility function for the behavior model. A rating is assigned to the website based on the comparison, and the rating is made available to potential website customers seeking information related to the website's performance.

Abstract: Reconfiguring a model [600] is described. An instruction is accessed [605], wherein the instruction comprises utilizing one or more model elements to reconfigure a model. A refinement chain is utilized [610] to access a portion of the model, the portion being non-variable and associated with the instruction, and wherein the refinement chain tracks design changes for the model. A specific instance is located [615], the specific instance being closest to the portion within the refinement chain at which an inclusion of the one or more model elements alters a performance of the model to reflect the inclusion. The model is re-instantiated [620] utilizing the one or more model elements beginning at the specific instance, thereby enabling a reconfiguration of the model according to the instruction.

Abstract: A configuration management database (CMDB) comprising a plurality of statements, where in the statements comprise a first item identifying a resource, a second item identifying an object, and a third item identifying a relationship between the resource and the object, and wherein the statements are made in a markup language.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for modeling consequences of events on performance indicators. A causality model is provided to define relationships between events and the consequences associated with each one of the events to modify a value of at least one of the performance indicators associated with each one of the events. An algorithm included in the causality model is executable to compute an impact of the consequences on the value. A causality model management system is provided to manage the causality model, including storing, execution of the algorithm, interfacing with other systems, and simulating what-if scenarios of the events and the performance indicators.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for exchanging information between information technology (IT) services. An architecture provides separation of concern between the models by separating the models for IT services into an operation model and a structural model that are linked by a service model. The service model can be configurable to extend the operation model. Configuration of the operation model includes defining messages exchanged between the IT services. Configuration of the structural model includes capturing a structure of the IT services. The service model has an association with the structural model, the association making the structural model opaque to the operation model.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for managing best practices in modeling information technology (IT) services. An architecture for validating a service model using a plurality of best practices (PBPs) provides separation of concern between the service model and selection of best practices by enabling an independent selection of the service model and the PBPs. A best practice precedence (BPP) is configured to disambiguate conflicts between the PBPs and select a selected best practice (SBP) from the PBPs. A validation engine validates a compliance or non-compliance of the service model with the SBP. A refined service model is generated by combining selective portions of the SBP with the service model.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for information technology (IT) services lifecycle management. A services architecture provides a plurality of services that are capable of being ordered. A design service captures declarative specifications of services as service models. A catalog service receives the service model and combines the service models into a plurality of service offerings to provide a catalog of orderable services. An order configuration service receives an order for at least one orderable service selectable from the catalog of orderable services. An order processing service instantiates the at least one orderable service in two phases, thereby generating an instantiated ordered service. An order fulfillment service fulfills the order in accordance with the instantiated ordered service.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for decision making under uncertainty. A causality framework is provided to define relationships between an alternative (Ai) of a set of alternatives and at least one performance indicator of a set of performance indicators. A k-concurrent lottery (Li) associated with the alternative (Ai) is conducted, the alternative (Ai) having consequences over k ones of the set of performance indicators. The k-concurrent lottery (Li) is homogenized over the set of performance indicators if the k ones is less than a number of the set of performance indicators. An expected utility of the k-concurrent lottery (Li) for each one of the set of alternatives is computed. One alternative is selected from the set of alternatives, the selection occurring in accordance with a selection criteria based on the expected utility.

Abstract: A configuration management database (CMDB) comprising a plurality of statements, where in the statements comprise a first item identifying a resource, a second item identifying an object, and a third item identifying a relationship between the resource and the object, and wherein the statements are made in a markup language.

Abstract: In at least some embodiments, an apparatus and method may receive parameters of an information technology (IT) infrastructure and formulate one or more IT recovery plans based on the parameters. The apparatus and method may further calculate a projected utility for one or more of the IT recovery plans based on one or more contractual agreements.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention include methods and systems for managing information technology systems. A method includes monitoring, with a computer system, service operations of a service provider; detecting, with the computer system, a failure; diagnosing, with the computer system, the failure to determine a cause of the failure; and analyzing, with the computer system, the cause to determine a cost-based analysis to remedy the cause of the failure, the cost-based analysis including (i) terms and conditions specified in plural Service Level Agreements (SLAs) between the service provider and customers and (ii) both tangible and intangible costs to the service provider to remedy the cause of the failure.

Abstract: A method for purchasing rights to resell an item offers for sale a right to have purchased items, articles, or products shipped at a later date. The method offers for sale an item's ownership, without altering the physical location of the item. In other words, a customer pays to own the item without acquiring possession of the item. A merchant that sells the item, or the merchant's supplier, may retain possession of the item until the customer takes possession.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus for theorem certification enable the exchange of statements or conclusions between companies without the need for an issuing company to disclose facts or business documents that lead to these statements or conclusions. The method uses a trusted system to prove and verify statements issued by the issuing company using a set of business rules and business documents. The trusted system then passes the proved statements to a receiving company without disclosing the business documents that lead to the proved statements.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for processing feedback from a user of a website. Feedback is received from the user relating to a current session of use of the website. Based on the feedback, a problem is diagnosed. Compensation for the user is determined, based on the problem, and the user is compensated at the level determined to be appropriate for the problem.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for evaluating the performance of a website. An agent with the website and interacts with the website using a behavior model of an example website customer. The agent interacts with the website according to the behavior model and gathers website performance data related to the interaction. The performance data is compared to a utility function for the behavior model. A rating is assigned to the website based on the comparison, and the rating is made available to potential website customers seeking information related to the website's performance.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus use a translation system and vocabulary models to translate between different role-based vocabularies for different users. The vocabulary models may be associated with different roles, each role having one or more vocabularies. The vocabulary models may be fixed and hard-coded so that the roles and the role-based vocabularies are predefined and cannot be altered. The vocabulary models may also be flexible, allowing new roles and/or role-based vocabularies to be added.