System and method for an application provider framework

• US 6,904,449 B1
• Filed: 01/14/2000
• Issued: 06/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Original Assignee: Accenture LLP (Accenture PLC)
• Inventors: Quinones, David B.
• Primary Examiner(s): EL HADY, NABIL M
• Application Number:
  US09/483,062
• Time in Patent Office: 1,971 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/217, 709/219, 709/223, 709/225, 709/250
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/101 applying security measures for digital rights management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/103 applying security measure for protecting copyright
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/166 at the transport layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/53 using third party service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

A system and method are provided for improving an existing application infrastructure of an application service provider. First, a user is prompted to identify at least one aspect of an existing application infrastructure of an application service provider utilizing a network. Next, the identification of the aspect of the existing application infrastructure is received utilizing the network, and the aspect is translated into a common structure such that the structure is stored in a knowledge base. Such common structure is subsequently analyzed using a spreadsheet stored in a database, and the spreadsheet includes predefined rules that are used to identify upgrades to the existing applications infrastructure. Further, upgrades the existing application infrastructure are suggested and displayed based on the analysis utilizing the network.

Claims

1. A method for improving an existing application infrastructure of an application service provider, comprising the steps of:

prompting a user to identify at least one aspect of an existing application infrastructure of an application service provider utilizing a network;

receiving the identification of the at least one aspect of the existing application infrastructure utilizing the network;

translating the at least one aspect of the existing application infrastructure into a common structure, such that the common structure is stored in a knowledge base;

analyzing the common structure using a spreadsheet stored in a database, wherein the spreadsheet includes predefined rules and wherein the predefined rules are used to identify upgrades to the existing application infrastructure of the application service provider; and

displaying the upgrades to the existing application infrastructure of the application service provider based on the analysis utilizing the network.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one aspect includes an ability of the application service provider to deliver applications over the network.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of analyzing compares the at least one aspect of the existing application infrastructure against the predefined rules.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, and further comprising the step of assessing results of the analysis, and providing the user with the assessment.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user is prompted to identify the at least one aspect of the existing application infrastructure by querying the user.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the upgrades include adding components of the existing application infrastructure that are currently absent therefrom.

7. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for improving an existing application infrastructure of an application service provider, comprising:

a code segment for prompting a user to identify at least one aspect of an existing application infrastructure of an application service provider utilizing a network;

a code segment for receiving the identification of the at least one aspect of the existing application infrastructure utilizing the network;

a code segment for translating the at least one aspect of the existing application infrastructure into a common structure, such that the common structure is stored in a knowledge base;

a code segment for analyzing the common structure using a spreadsheet stored in a database, wherein the spreadsheet includes predefined rules and wherein the predefined rules are used to identify upgrades to the existing application infrastructure of the application service provider; and

a code segment for displaying the upgrades to the existing application infrastructure of the application service provider based on the analysis utilizing the network.

8. The computer program as recited in claim 7, wherein the at least one aspect includes an ability of the application service provider to deliver applications over the network.

9. The computer program as recited in claim 7, wherein the code segment for analyzing compares the at least one aspect of the existing application infrastructure against the predefined rules.

10. The computer program as recited in claim 7, and further comprising a code segment for assessing results of the analysis, and providing the user with the assessment.

11. The computer program as recited in claim 7, wherein the user is prompted to identify the at least one aspect of the existing application infrastructure by querying the user.

12. The computer program as recited in claim 7, wherein the upgrades include adding components of the existing application infrastructure that are currently absent therefrom.

13. A system for improving an existing application infrastructure of an application service provider, comprising:

logic for prompting a user to identify at least one aspect of an existing application infrastructure of an application service provider utilizing a network;

logic for receiving the identification of the at leas one aspect of the existing application infrastructure utilizing the network;

logic for translating the at least one aspect of the existing application infrastructure into a common structure, such that the common structure is stored in a knowledge base;

logic for analyzing the common structure using a spreadsheet stored in a database, wherein the spreadsheet includes predefined rules and wherein the predefined rules are used to identify upgrades to the existing application infrastructure of the application service provider; and

logic for displaying the upgrades to the existing application infrastructure of the application service provider based on the analysis utilizing the network.

14. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein the at least one aspect includes an ability of the application service provider to deliver applications over the network.

15. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein the logic for analyzing compares the at least one aspect of the existing application infrastructure against the predefined rules.

16. The system as recited in claim 13, and further comprising logic for assessing results of the analysis, and providing the user with the assessment.

17. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein the user is prompted to identify the at least one aspect of the existing application infrastructure by querying the user.

18. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein the upgrades include adding components of the existing application infrastructure that are currently absent therefrom.