Abstract: The invention comprises a computer-implemented process for managing computing resources provided to customers in an on-demand data center. The process comprises: providing a shared computing environment; providing to each customer one or more logical partitions of computing resources within the shared computing environment; allocating at least one processing engine to each logical partition; modeling a selected customer's resource utilization as a beta distribution; iteratively selecting a random resource utilization value from the beta distribution and, for each logical partition, calculating a processing engine differential; for each iteration, calculating a collective processing engine differential until the collective processing engine differential converges on an optimal processing engine differential; and adjusting the number of processing engines by the optimal processing engine differential to achieve an optimal free pool size.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a problem in a distributed processing business system used to provide a service is disclosed. The method comprises identifying the problem; preparing for an audit; performing the audit; reviewing the audit; developing an action plan; developing an execution plan; deploying a solution in accordance with the execution plan; monitoring the deployed solution; and recording lessons learned. Alternatively, the method may be applied to evaluate the capacity of a distributed processing business system to provide a prospective service. In this alternative embodiment, the method comprises identifying the problem; preparing for an audit; performing the audit; reviewing the audit; preparing a rating table; populating the rating table with results from the audit; calculating a service rating based upon the results entered in the rating table; and presenting the service rating to management.

Abstract: A transition costing program (TCP) uses standardized activity tasks (SAT), standard activity estimates (SAE) for each SAT, a transition costing estimator (TCE) to develop full time equivalent (FTE) values for transitioning a customer. The TCP functions in an engagement phase, a boarding phase, and end cost variance (ECV) analysis phase so that feedback is provided to validate or modify the SAE. In the engagement phase, the TCP selects the activities necessary to transition the customer from an SAT library and enters the SAT selections into the TCE. As the SAT selections are entered, the TCE populates a display with corresponding SAE value for each task. During transition, costs are monitored by SAE, the transition is completed and the actual costs for each task are compared with the SAE value for each SAT. When the comparison shows a variance, the TCP analyzes the variance and determines whether to modify the SAE value for the SAT under review.

Abstract: An on-demand security service ensures isolation of the service provider's customers where the customers share resources at the system, subsystem, and storage level. The security service is provided in a pre-production phase and in a post production phase. The pre-production phase takes place prior to boarding the customer. In the pre-production phase the resources to be protected are defined in a security guide, and using the security guide, physical segregation at the facility, network, and technical and delivery support levels is planned and then implemented. In the post production phase, on going activities are proactive and reactive. Proactive activities include maintaining physical segregation by reviewing and updating the security guide, and testing physical segregation by performing security audits and penetration tests. Observations and finding of the audits and penetration tests are resolved.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a hybrid invoice for services provided to a customer by an on-demand data center are disclosed. The method comprises providing a shared computing environment wherein computing resources are shared between the customer and at least one other user; allocating sufficient computing resources from the shared computing environment to provide a requested service; recording in a database the number of computing resource units required to provide the requested service; extracting from the database the number of computing resource units consumed by the customer during a billing period; and calculating a cost for providing the number of computing resource units consumed by the customer during the billing period.

Abstract: The invention is a system for installing a new operating system on a logical partition that has no existing software or data. The system comprises a baseline code and a process for customizing and configuring the baseline code for use in an on-demand environment. The process for customizing and configuring the baseline code comprises establishing a plurality of datasets that allow users to access the operating system after installation. The critical datasets that produce an operable system include virtual telecommunications parameters, job entry system parameters, operating system parameters, and security parameters.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for managing the performance of shared computing resources in furtherance of delivering on-demand IT services to multiple customers. The inventive method comprises predicting the performance of resources allocated among the customers to minimize performance related problems; preventing performance related problems by evaluating the impact of changes in resource allocations; reacting to performance alerts to resolve performance related problems; and determining the appropriate level of resource performance needed in service level agreements, and that these requirements detailed in the service level agreements are achieved. This Performance Management method ensures that the demands of the customers are not affected by the allocation and utilization of the shared IT resources.

Abstract: The invention is a business services method (BSM) for procedures research and analysis, which comprises a process for selecting an appropriate medium for a given set of procedures, business procedure decomposition, and technology decomposition. More particularly, the inventive process comprises: organizing service requirements; collecting data; documenting “source activities,” the intended audience, use of the procedures, and tools to be used; choosing the appropriate media for delivering information to the customer; coordinating teams and defining team requirements; conducting workshops; and sizing the development effort.

Abstract: A method for providing wireless device management. The method comprises receiving a first request for wireless devices comprising specified software. The specified software is loaded on each of the wireless devices in response to the first request. The wireless devices comprising the specified software are delivered. The wireless devices are connected to a wireless network. Wireless configuration management is provided the wireless network for each of the delivered wireless devices for a specified amount of time.

Abstract: An example of a solution provided here comprises: providing a shared platform that is prepared to accept an incoming customer; for the incoming customer, (a) utilizing at least one information technology management control point; and (b) porting the incoming customer's application, or boarding the incoming customer's application, or both; accepting the incoming customer, among multiple customers, on the shared platform; and sharing hardware and software, among the multiple customers.

Abstract: An example of a solution provided here comprises: providing a shared platform that is prepared to accept an incoming customer; for the incoming customer (a) planning a configuration of hardware, software, and network components; (b) designing the configuration; and (c) utilizing at least one configuration management control point; accepting the incoming customer, among multiple customers, on the shared platform; sharing hardware and software, among the multiple customers; and maintaining information concerning the shared platform.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for managing information technology resources to provide processing capacity to multiple customers with varying requirements in a shared computing environment. The inventive process comprises producing and maintaining a capacity plan that allocates capacity resources, handling requests for additional capacity resources, and analyzing requests for additional capacity resources to identify issues that should be resolved in future allocations.