Software deployment system and method

• US 7,073,164 B1
• Filed: 06/06/2002
• Issued: 07/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Blue Yonder Group, Inc. (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: i2 Technologies US Incorporated (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Knowles, G. Gordon
• Primary Examiner(s): Chaki, Kakali
• Assistant Examiner(s): Roche, Trenton J.
• Application Number:
  US10/164,516
• Time in Patent Office: 1,489 Days
• Field of Search: 717/104, 717/102
• US Class Current: 717/102
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/10 Requirements analysis; Specification techniques

Abstract

A method for deploying software includes selecting one or more pre-defined business models applicable to a business entity in which the software is being deployed. The business models are associated with particular business functions. The method further includes creating an entity model using the one or more selected business models. In addition, the method includes gathering information from the entity relevant to the selected business models and inputting the information into the entity model. The method further includes specifying functional requirements of the entity using a business modeling tool and configuring the entity model using the specified functional requirements. Moreover, the method includes automatically generating one or more specification files according to the configured entity model. The specification files identify the data to be input to the software after the software is deployed.

Claims

1. A method for deploying business software, comprising:

implementing a sales phase of a business software deployment cycle, the sales phase comprising;

selecting one or more pre-defined business models applicable to a business entity in which the software is being deployed, the business models being associated with particular business functions;

creating an entity model using the one or more selected business models;

gathering information from the entity relevant to the selected business models; and

inputting the information into the entity model and storing the entity model; and

executing an implementation phase of the business software deployment cycle, in response to receiving a decision from the entity to implement the business software, the implementation phase comprising;

retrieving the stored entity model;

specifying functional requirements of the entity using a business modeling tool;

configuring the entity model using the specified functional requirements; and

automatically generating one or more specification files according to the configured entity model, the specification files identifying the data to be input to the software after the software is deployed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting one or more business models comprises selecting one or more business cases, each business case including one or more business models.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein each business case is associated with a business topology.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein each business case is associated with a industry vertical.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein gathering information from the entity comprises conducting one or more inquiry sessions for one or more of the selected business models.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein an inquiry session is performed for one or more core functions included within a business model.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the one or more inquiry sessions are performed in association with the business modeling tool.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring the entity model comprises specifying software configuration information using one or more business process interfaces of the business modeling tool, each business process interface including a business process associated with the corresponding business model.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein specifying software configuration information comprises selecting one or more alternative paths from a decision step of business process in a business process interface.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein specifying software configuration information comprises performing an activity associated with an activity step of a business process in a business process interface.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing prospect qualification of the entity during the sales phase.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising using one or more milestone charts that identify activities to be performed during the sales and implementation phases.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising using one or more activity checklists that include links to tools to be used in performing activities during the sales and implementation phases.

14. Deployment software for deploying business software, the deployment software embodied in a computer-readable medium and operable, when executed, to:

implementing a sales phase of a business software deployment cycle, the sales phase comprising;

receive from a user a selection of one or more pre-defined business models applicable to a business entity in which the business software is being deployed, the business models being associated with particular business functions;

create an entity model using the one or more selected business models;

receive from the user information relating to the entity and relevant to the selected business models;

store the entity model;

executing an implementation phase of the business software deployment cycle, in response to receiving a decision from the entity to implement the business software, the implementation phase comprising;

retrieve the stored entity model;

receive functional requirements of the entity using a business modeling tool;

configure the entity model using the specified functional requirements; and

generate one or more specification files according to the configured entity model, the specification files identifying the data to be input to the business software after the business software is deployed.

15. The software of claim 14, wherein receiving the selection of one or more business models comprises receiving the selection of one or more business cases, each business case including one or more business models.

16. The software of claim 15, wherein each business case is associated with a business topology.

17. The software of claim 15, wherein each business case is associated with a industry vertical.

18. The software of claim 14, wherein receiving information from the user comprises receiving information via one or more inquiry sessions for one or more of the selected business models.

19. The software of claim 18, wherein an inquiry session is performed for one or more core functions included within a business model.

20. The software of claim 18, wherein the one or more inquiry sessions are performed in association with the business modeling tool.

21. The software of claim 14, wherein configuring the entity model comprises receiving software configuration information via one or more business process interfaces of the business modeling tool, each business process interface including a business process associated with the corresponding business model.

22. The software of claim 21, wherein the software configuration information is received via the user selecting one or more alternative paths from a decision step of business process in a business process interface.

23. The software of claim 21, wherein the software configuration information is received via the user performing an activity associated with an activity step of a business process in a business process interface.

24. The software of claim 14, further operable to perform prospect qualification of the entity during the sales phase.

25. The software of claim 14, further operable to provide one or more milestone charts that identify activities to be performed during the sales and implementation phases.

26. The software of claim 14, further operable to provide one or more activity checklists that include links to tools to be used in performing activities during the sales and implementation phases.