Adaptive content platform and method of using same

• US 7,356,771 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2002
• Issued: 04/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: OpenPages, Inc. (International Business Machines Corporation)
• Inventors: Zakon, Gary, Paul, Santanu
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomson; William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anya; Charles E
• Application Number:
  US10/256,613
• Publication Number:
  US 20040010796A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,021 Days
• Field of Search: 719/311, 719328-332, 719/318, 709201-207, 709217-219, 707 1- 10, 707/102, 707201-206, 715/501.1, 715/733, 715/734, 715/738, 715740-753, 715/513, 715/762, 715/763, 726 1- 21, 726 27- 30, 705 1- 9, 717100-105
• US Class Current: 715/744
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/00 Arrangements for software engineering testing or debugging G06F11/36; administrative, planning or organisation aspects of software project management G06Q10/06
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/54 Interprogram communication
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching

Abstract

An adaptive content platform includes one or more content-enabled, dependent applications, each of which includes a user interface and business logic. A services layer, which is interfaced with the dependent applications and a software infrastructure, provides one or more services that are usable by the dependent applications.

Claims

1. An adaptive content platform that is stored on a storage medium having a multi-tiered software architecture, comprising:

a services layer that includes at least repository services, workflow services, file handling services, and publishing services;

a data layer for providing data services to the adaptive content platform with such data services including at least access to database storage and file storage that contain content;

an application server layer that connects to a dependent applications layer through the services layer and retrieves content from the data layer, with the application server layer for handling operations of the dependent applications within the adaptive content platform;

the dependent applications layer that includes a plurality of content-enabled dependent applications that connect to the services layer and a web layer, and whose operations are controlled by the application server layer, with each content-enabled dependent application being capable of being interfaced with services of the services layer such that specific content from the services layer is combined to define and build a combination application that emulates a standalone independent application; and

the web layer that connects to the dependent applications layer for enabling users to interface with the adaptive content platform.

2. The adaptive content platform of claim 1, wherein the services layer includes a unique application programming interface for each of the services, wherein the content-enabled dependent applications using a specific service may make requests through the unique application programming interface assigned to that service.

3. The adaptive content platform of claim 1, wherein the repository services include being part of content management services for storing and managing files, with the content management services further including search services.

4. The adaptive content platform of claim 3, wherein the repository service includes being used for storing files.

5. The adaptive content platform of claim 4, wherein the search service includes being used for allowing users to search files stored by the repository services.

6. The adaptive content platform of claim 1, wherein the workflow services include being part of workflow and collaboration services for managing projects and users, with the workflow and collaboration services further including collaboration services.

7. The adaptive content platform of claim 6, wherein the workflow and collaboration services includes workflow services for managing the workflow of files.

8. The adaptive content platform of claim 6, wherein the workflow and collaboration services include user management and authentication services for managing users and user groups.

9. The adaptive content platform of claim 6, wherein the workflow and collaboration services include events and notification services for managing and broadcasting notifications to users that were generated by one or more services.

10. The adaptive content platform of claim 1, wherein the file handling services includes multi-modal content creation services for manual creation and automated importation and conversion of files.

11. The adaptive content platform of claim 10, wherein the multi-modal content creation services include transformation and content services for converting the formats of files.

12. The adaptive content platform of claim 10, wherein the multi-modal content creation services include desktop integration services for manual contribution of content.

13. The adaptive content platform of claim 10, wherein the multi-modal content creation services include-import services for facilitating file importation from external systems.

14. The adaptive content platform of claim 1, wherein publishing services include multi-channel deployment services for publishing files.

15. The adaptive content platform of claim 14, wherein the multi-channel deployment services include publishing services for publishing files to one or more publishing channels.

16. The adaptive content platform of claim 15, wherein the one or more publishing channels includes a web site.

17. The adaptive content platform of claim 15, wherein the one or more publishing channels includes an email broadcast.

18. The adaptive content platform of claim 15, wherein the one or more publishing channels includes a wireless broadcast.

19. The adaptive content platform of claim 15, wherein the one or more publishing channels includes a syndication stream.

20. The adaptive content platform of claim 15, wherein the one or more publishing channels includes a printed publication.

21. The adaptive content platform of claim 14, wherein the multi-channel deployment services include dynamic publishing services.

22. The adaptive content platform of claim 14, wherein the multi-channel deployment services include static publishing services.

23. The adaptive content platform of claim 1, data layer that is interfaced with the application server, with the data layer including one or more databases.

145. The system of claim 14, wherein the data layer including one or more databases.

24. A multi-tiered software architecture that is stored on a storage medium, comprising:

a services layer that includes at least repository services, with the repository services being capable of connection to database and file storage that contain content for the adaptive content platform;

a dependent applications layer that includes a plurality of content-enabled dependent applications that connect to the services layer, with each content-enabled dependent application being capable of being interfaced with the repository services of the services layer such that specific content from at least the repository services is combined to define and build a combination application that emulates a standalone independent application; and

a web layer that connects to the dependent applications layer for enabling users to interface with the adaptive content-platform.

25. The adaptive content platform of claim 24, wherein the services layer includes a plurality of services including at least repository services, workflow services, file handling services, and publishing services.

26. The adaptive content platform of claim 25, wherein the services layer includes a unique application programming interface for each of the services through which dependent applications using a specific service make requests.

27. The adaptive content platform of claim 25, wherein the repository services include being part of content management services for storing and managing files, with the content management services further including searching services.

28. The adaptive content platform of claim 25, wherein the store the services store the workflow and collaboration services for managing projects and users, with the workflow and collaboration services further including collaboration services.

29. The adaptive content platform of claim 25, wherein the file store the include multi-modal content creation services for automated importation and conversion of files.

30. The adaptive content platform of claim 25, wherein the publishing services include multi-channel deployment services for publishing files to one or more publishing channels.

31. The adaptive content platform of claim 30, wherein the one or more publishing channels includes a web site.

32. The adaptive content platform of claim 30, wherein the one or more publishing channels includes an email broadcast.

33. The adaptive content platform of claim 30, wherein the one or more publishing channels includes a wireless broadcast.

34. The adaptive content platform of claim 30, wherein the one or more publishing channels includes a syndication stream.

35. The adaptive content platform of claim 30, wherein the one or more publishing channels includes a printed publication.

36. The adaptive content platform of claim 24, further comprising an application server layer that connects to the dependent applications layer through the services layer and retrieves content from a data layer that includes the database and file storage, with the applications server layer for handling operations of the content-enabled dependent applications within the content platform;

and

the data layer that is interfaced with the software infrastructure and application server layer, with the data layer including one or more databases.

37. An adaptive content platform that is stored on a storage medium having a multi-tiered software architecture, comprising:

an application server that connects to a plurality of content-enabled dependent applications through a services layer and retrieving content from a data layer, with the applications server for handling operations of the content-enabled dependent applications within the content platform;

the plurality of dependent applications, with each content-enabled dependent application being capable of being interfaced with services of the services layer such that specific content from the services layer is combined to define and build a combination application that emulates a standalone independent application;

the services layer that includes at least repository services, with the services layer connecting to a plurality of content-enabled dependent applications and the application server, and with the repository services being capable of interfacing with each of the content-enabled dependent applications such that specific content from at least the repository services is combined to define and build the combination application that emulates a standalone independent application.

38. The adaptive content platform of claim 37, wherein the services layer includes a plurality of services including at least repository services, workflow services, file handling services, and publishing services, with each service including a unique application programming interface through which content-enabled dependent applications using a specific service make requests.

39. The adaptive content platform of claim 38, further comprising a data layer that connects to the application server, with the data layer including one or more databases.

40. A distributed computing system, comprising:

a first computing device for executing

a plurality of content-enabled dependent applications, with each content-enabled dependent application being capable of being interfaced with services of a services layer; and

a second computing device connecting to the first computing device for executing

a services layer that includes at least repository services, with the services layer connecting to the content-enabled dependent applications and an application server, and with the repository services being capable of interfacing with each of the content-enabled dependent applications such that specific content from at least the repository services is combined to define and build a combination application that emulates a standalone independent application,

the application server for handling operations of the content-enabled dependent applications within the distributed computing system and retrieving content from a data layer, and

the data layer for containing content that connects to the application server.

41. The distributed computing system of claim 40, wherein the services layer includes a plurality of services including at least repository services, workflow services, file handling services, and publishing services.

42. The distributed computing system of claim 41, wherein the data layer including one or more databases.

43. The distributed computing system of claim 41, wherein the services layer includes a unique application programming interface for each of the services through which content-enabled dependent applications using a specific service make requests.

44. The distributed computing system of claim 40, further comprising a network for interconnecting the first and second computing devices.

45. The distributed computing system of claim 44, wherein the network is a local area network.

46. The distributed computing system of claim 44, wherein the network is the Internet.

47. The distributed computing system of claim 44, wherein the network is an intranet.

48. The distributed computing system of claim 40, wherein the second computing device is a web server.

49. A distributed computing system, comprising:

a local computing device for executing

a plurality of content-enabled dependent applications, with each content-enabled dependent application being capable of being interfaced with services of a services layer; and

a remote computing device connecting to the local computing device for executing

the services layer that includes at least repository services, with the services layer connecting to the content-enabled dependent applications and an application server, and with the repository services being capable of interfacing with each of the content-enabled dependent applications such that specific content from at least the repository services is combined to define and build a combination application that emulates a standalone independent application,

the application server for handling operations of the content-enabled dependent applications with the distributed computing system and retrieving content from a data layer, and

the data layer for containing content that connects to the application server.

50. The distributed computing system of claim 49, wherein the services layer includes a plurality of services including at least repository services, workflow services, file handling services, and publishing services.

51. The distributed computing system of claim 50, wherein the data layer including one or more databases.

52. The distributed computing system of claim 50, wherein the services layer includes a unique application programming interface for each of the services through which content-enabled dependent applications using a specific service make requests.

53. The distributed computing system of claim 49, further comprising a network for interconnecting the local and remote computing devices.

54. The distributed computing system of claim 53, wherein the network is a local area network.

55. The distributed computing system of claim 53, wherein the network is the Internet.

56. The distributed computing system of claim 53 to wherein the network is an intranet.

57. The distributed computing system of claim 53, wherein the remote computing device is a web server.

58. A distributed computing method, comprising the steps of:

executing, on a local computing device, a plurality of content-enabled;

dependent applications, with each content-enabled dependent application being capable of being interfaced with services of a services layer; and

executing, on a remote computing device,

a services layer that includes at least repository services, with the services layer connecting to the content-enabled dependent applications and an application server, with the repository services being capable of interfacing with each of the content-enabled dependent applications such that specific content from at least repository services is combined to define and build a combination application so each content-enabled dependent application will execute as a standalone independent application,

an application server for handling operations of the content-enabled dependent applications within the distributed computing system and retrieving content from a data layer, and

the data layer for containing content that connects to the application server.

59. The distributed computing method of claim 58, wherein the services layer includes a plurality of services including at least repository services, workflow services, file handling services, and publishing services.

60. The distributed computing method of claim 59, wherein the data layer including one or more databases.

61. The distributed computing method of claim 59, further comprising assigning a unique application programming interface to each of the services through which each content-enabled dependent applications using a specific service make requests.

62. The distributed computing method of claim 58, further comprising interconnecting the first and second computing devices with a network.

63. The distributed computing method of claim 62, wherein the network is a local area network.

64. The distributed computing method of claim 62, wherein the network is the Internet.

65. The distributed computing method of claim 62, wherein the network is an intranet.

66. The distributed computing method of claim 62, wherein the remote computing device is a web server.

67. A multi-tier software deployment method, comprising the steps of:

providing a services layer that includes at least repository services, with the repository services being capable of connection to database and file storage containing content;

providing a plurality of content-enabled dependent applications that connect to the services layer, with each content-enabled dependent application being interfaced with the repository services of the services layer such that specific content from at least the repository services is combined to define and build a combination application so that the content-enabled dependent application will execute as a standalone independent application.

68. The multi-tier software deployment method of claim 67, further comprising interfacing the services layer with an application server, with the application server for handling operations of the content-enabled dependent applications within the distributed computing system and retrieving content from a data layer, and the data layer containing content that connects to the application server.

69. The multi-tier software deployment method of claim 68, wherein the data layer including one or more databases.

70. A computer program product residing on a computer readable medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a processor, cause that processor to:

execute, on a local computing device,

a plurality of content-enabled, dependent applications, with each content-enabled dependent application being capable of being interfaced with services of a services layer; and

execute, on a remote computing device,

a services layer that includes at least repository services, with the services layer connecting to the content-enabled dependent applications and an application server, with the repository services being capable of interfacing with each of the content-enabled dependent applications such that specific content from at least the repository services is combined to define and build a combination application so each content-enabled dependent application will execute as a standalone independent application,

the application server for handling operations of the content-enabled dependent applications within the distributed computing system and retrieving content from a data layer, and

the data layer for containing content that connects to the application server.

71. The computer program product of claim 70, wherein the services layer includes a plurality of services including at least repository services, workflow services, file handling services, and publishing services.

72. The computer program product of claim 71, wherein the data layer including one or more databases.

73. The computer program product of claim 70, further comprising instructions to assign a unique application programming interface to each of the services through which content-enabled dependent applications using a specific service make requests.

74. A computer-based, enterprise level system that includes an adaptive content platform having a multi-tiered software architecture, comprising:

a services layer for providing enterprise-wide services that includes at least repository services the, workflow services, file handling services, and publishing services;

an enterprise-wide data layer for providing data services to the adaptive content platform with such data services including at least access to database storage and file storage that contain content;

an enterprise-wide application server layer that connects to a dependent applications layer through the services layer and retrieves content from the data layer, with the application server layer for handling operations of the dependent applications within the adaptive content platform;

the dependent applications layer that includes a plurality of content-enabled dependent applications that connect to the services layer and a web layer, and whose operations are controlled by the application server layer, with each content-enabled dependent application being capable of being interfaced with enterprise-wide services of the services layer such that specific content from the enterprise-wide services is combined to define and build a combination application that emulates a standalone independent application; and

the web layer that connects to the dependent applications layer for enabling users to interface with the adaptive content platform.

75. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 74, wherein the enterprise-wide services layer includes a unique application programming interface for each of the services, wherein the content-enabled dependent applications using a specific service may make requests through the unique application programming interface assigned to that service.

76. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 74, wherein the repository services include being part of content management services for storing and managing files, with the content management services further including search services.

77. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 76, wherein the repository service includes being used for storing files.

78. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 77, wherein search services include being used for allowing users to search files stored by the repository services.

79. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 74, wherein the workflow services include being part of workflow and collaboration services for managing projects and users, with the workflow and collaboration services further including collaboration services.

80. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 79, wherein the workflow and collaboration services includes workflow services for managing the workflow of files.

81. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 79, wherein the workflow and collaboration services includes user management and authentication services for managing users and user groups.

82. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 79, wherein the workflow and collaboration services include events and notification service for managing and broadcasting notifications to users that were generated by one or more services.

83. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 74, wherein the file handling services includes multi-modal content creation services for manual creation and automated importation and conversion of files.

84. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 83, wherein the multi-modal content creation services include transformation and content services for converting the formats of files.

85. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 83, wherein the multi-modal content creation services include desktop integration services for manual contribution of content.

86. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 83, wherein the multi-modal content creation services include import services for facilitating file importation from external systems.

87. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 74, wherein the publishing services include multi-channel deployment services for publishing files.

88. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 87, wherein the multi-channel deployment services include publishing services for publishing files to one or more publishing channels.

89. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 88, wherein the one or more publishing channels includes a web site.

90. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 88, wherein the one or more publishing channels includes an email broadcast.

91. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 88, wherein the one or more publishing channels includes a wireless broadcast.

92. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 88, wherein the one or more publishing channels includes a syndication stream.

93. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 88, wherein the one or more publishing channels includes a printed publication.

94. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 87, wherein the multi-channel deployment services include dynamic publishing services.

95. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 87, wherein the multi-channel deployment services include static publishing services.

96. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 74, data layer that is interfaced with the application server, with the data layer including one or more databases.

97. A computer-based, enterprise level system that includes an adaptive content platform having a multi-tiered software architecture, comprising:

a services layer for providing enterprise-wide services that includes at least repository services, with the repository services being capable of connection to database and file storage that contain content for the adaptive content platform;

a dependent applications layer that includes a plurality of content-enabled dependent applications that connect to the services layer, with each content-enabled dependent application being capable of being interfaced with the repository services of the services layer such that specific content from at least the repository services is combined to define and build a combination application that emulates a standalone independent application; and

a web layer that connects to the dependent applications layer for enabling users to interface with the adaptive content platform.

98. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 97, wherein the services layer includes a plurality of services including at least repository services, workflow services, file handling services, and publishing services.

99. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 98, wherein the services layer includes a unique application programming interface for each of the services through which dependent applications using a specific service make requests.

100. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 98, wherein the repository services include being part of content management services for storing and managing files, with the content management services further including searching services.

101. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 98, wherein the workflow services include being part of workflow and collaboration services for managing projects and users, with the workflow and collaboration services further including collaboration services.

102. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 98, wherein the file handling services include multi-modal content creation services for automated importation and conversion of files.

103. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 98, wherein the publishing services include multi-channel deployment services for publishing files to one or more publishing channels.

104. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 103, wherein the one or more publishing channels includes a web site.

105. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 103, wherein the one or more publishing channels includes an email broadcast.

106. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 103, wherein the one or more publishing channels includes a wireless broadcast.

107. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 103, wherein the one or more publishing channels includes a syndication stream.

108. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 103, wherein the one or more publishing channels includes a printed publication.

109. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 97, further comprising

an enterprise-wide application server layer that connects to the dependent applications layer through the services layer and retrieves content from an enterprise-wide data layer that include the database and file storage, with the applications server layer for handling operations of the content-enabled dependent applications within the content platform;

and

the enterprise-wide data layer that is interfaced with the software infrastructure and application server layer, with the data layer including one or more databases.

110. A computer-based, enterprise level system that includes an adaptive content platform having a multi-tiered software architecture, comprising:

an enterprise-wide application server that connects to a plurality of content-enabled dependent applications through a services layer and retrieve content from a data layer, with the applications server for handling operations of the content-enabled dependent applications within the content platform;

the plurality of dependent applications, with each content-enabled dependent application being capable of being interfaced with services of the services layer such that specific content from the services layer is combined to define and build a combination application that emulates a standalone independent application; and

the services layer for providing enterprise-wide services that includes at least repository services, with the services layer connecting to a plurality of content-enabled dependent applications and the application server, and with the repository services being capable of interfacing with the each of the dependent applications such that specific content from at least the repository services is combined to define and build the combination application that emulates a standalone independent application.

111. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 110, wherein the services layer includes a plurality of services including at least repository services, workflow services, file handling services, and publishing services, with each service including a unique application programming interface through which content-enabled dependent applications using a specific service make.

112. The computer-based, enterprise level system of claim 111, further comprising an enterprise-wide data layer that connects to the application server, with the data layer including one or more databases.

113. An enterprise-wide, distributed computing system, comprising:

a first computing device for executing

a plurality of content-enabled dependent applications, with each content-enabled dependent application being capable of being interfaced with services of a services layer; and

a second computing device connecting to the first computing device for executing

a services layer for providing enterprise-wide services that includes at least repository services, with the services layer connecting to the content-enabled dependent applications and an enterprise-wide application server, and with the repository services being capable of interfacing with each of the content-enabled dependent applications such that specific content for at least the repository services is combined to define and build a combination application that emulates a standalone independent application,

the application server for handling operations of the content-enabled dependent applications within the distributed computing system and retrieving content for a data layer, and

the data layer containing content that connects to the application server.

114. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing system of claim 113, wherein the services layer includes a plurality of services including at least repository services, workflow services, file handling services, and publishing services.

115. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing system of claim 114, where the data layer including one or more databases.

116. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing system of claim 114, wherein the services layer includes a unique application programming interface for each of the services through which content-enabled dependent applications using a specific service make requests.

117. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing system of claim 113, further comprising a network for interconnecting the first and second computing devices.

118. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing system of claim 117, wherein the network is a local area network.

119. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing system of claim 117, wherein the network is the Internet.

120. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing system of claim 117, wherein the network is an intranet.

121. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing system of claim 113, wherein the second computing device is a web server.

122. An enterprise-wide, distributed computing system, comprising:

a local computing device for executing

a plurality of content-enabled dependent applications, with each content-enabled dependent application being capable of interfaced with services of a services layer; and

a remote computing device connecting to the local computing device for executing

the services layer for providing enterprise-wide services that includes at least repository services, with the services layer connecting to the content-enabled dependent applications and an enterprise-wide application server, and with the repository services being capable of interfacing with each of the content-enabled dependent applications such that specific content from at least the repository services is combined to define and build a combination application that emulates a standalone independent application,

the application server for handling operations of the content-enabled dependent applications with the distributed computing system and retrieving content from a data layer, and

the data layer for containing content that connects to the application server.

123. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing system of claim 122, wherein the services layer includes a plurality of services including at least repository services, workflow services, file handling services, and publishing services.

124. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing system of claim 123, wherein the data layer including one or more databases.

125. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing system of claim 123, wherein the services layer includes a unique application programming interface for each of the services through which content-enabled dependent applications using a specific service make requests.

126. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing system of claim 122, further comprising a network for interconnecting the local and remote computing devices.

127. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing system of claim 126, wherein the network is a local area network.

128. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing system of claim 126, wherein the network is the Internet.

129. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing system of claim 126, wherein the network is an intranet.

130. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing system of claim 126, wherein the remote computing device is a web server.

131. An enterprise-wide, distributed computing method, comprising the steps of:

executing, on a local computing device, a plurality of content-enabled, dependent applications, with each content-enabled dependent application being capable of being interfaced with services of a services layer; and

executing, on a remote computing device,

a services layer for providing enterprise-wide services that includes at least repository services, with the services layer connecting to the content-enabled dependent applications and an application server, with the repository services being capable of interfacing with each of the content-enabled dependent applications such that specific content from at least the repository services is combined to define and build a combination application so each content-enabled dependent application will execute as a standalone independent application,

an enterprise-wide application server for handling operations of the content-enabled dependent applications within the distributed computing system and retrieving content from a data layer, and

the data layer containing content that connects to the application server.

132. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing method of claim 131, wherein the services layer includes a plurality of services including at least repository services, workflow services, file handling services, and publishing services.

133. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing method of claim 132, wherein the data layer including one or more databases.

134. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing method of claim 132, further comprising assigning a unique application programming interface to each of the services through which each content-enabled dependent applications using a specific service make requests.

135. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing method of claim 131, further comprising interconnecting the first and second computing devices with a network.

136. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing method of claim 135, wherein the network is a local area network.

137. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing method of claim 135, wherein the network is the Internet.

138. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing method of claim 135, wherein the network is an intranet.

139. The enterprise-wide, distributed computing method of claim 135, wherein the remote computing device is a web server.

140. A deployment method for a computer-based, enterprise level system that includes multi-tier software, comprising the steps of:

providing a services layer for providing enterprise-wide services that includes at least repository services, with the repository services being capable of connection to database and file storage containing content;

provide a plurality of content-enabled, dependent applications that connect to the services layer, with each content-enabled dependent application being interfaced with the repository services of the services layer such that specific content from at least the repository services is combined to define and build a combination application so that the content-enabled dependent application will execute as a standalone independent.

141. The method of claim 140, further comprising interfacing the services layer with an enterprise-wide application server, with the application server for handling operations of the content-enabled dependent applications within the distributed computing system and retrieving content for a data layer, and the data layer containing content that connects to the application server.

142. The method of claim 141, wherein the data layer including one or more databases.

143. An enterprise-wide, computer-based system with a computer program product residing on a computer readable medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the processor, cause that processor to:

execute, on a local computing device,

a plurality of content-enabled, dependent applications, with each content-enabled dependent application being capable of being interfaced with services layer; and

execute, on a remote computing device,

an enterprise-wide services layer that includes at least repository services, with the services layer connecting to the content-enabled dependent applications and an enterprise-wide application server, with the repository services being capable of interfacing with each of the content-enabled dependent applications such that specific content from at least the repository services is combined to define and build a combination application so each content-enabled dependent application will execute as a standalone independent application,

the application server for handling operations of the content-enabled dependent applications within the distributed computing system and retrieving content for a data layer, and

the data layer for containing content that connects to the application server.

144. The system of claim 143, wherein the services layer includes a plurality of services including at least repository services, workflow services, file handling services, and publishing services.

146. The system of claim 143, further comprising instructions to assign a unique application programming interface to each of the services through which content-enabled dependent applications using a specific service make requests.