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System, method and program to estimate cost of distributing software

a software and software technology, applied in the field of computer systems, can solve problems such as affecting the cost of esd

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-08-24
IBM CORP
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The invention resides in a system and computer program product for estimating the cost of an ESD for software and subsequent updates for the software. Various cost factors can be considered such as one or more of the following. First program instructions determine a cost of the ESD associated with packaging together components of the software. Second program instructions receive a selection from an operator whether to push or pull the subsequent updates to a customer, and determine a cost for distributing the subsequent updates bas

Problems solved by technology

There are many factors effecting the complexity of the distribution including: (a) the requisite number of workstation and server images that need the software, (b) whether these are first time installation of the software, (c) the requisite number of application updates, operating system patches / fixes and security updates, (d) the amount and type of data that is associated with the software and must be distributed with the software, (e) the difficulty of installation, configuration, deployment and maintenance of the software applications, operating system, software packaging tools, software distribution tools and image maintenance tools, (f) the complexity of the network topology, network architecture and existing IT infrastructure and (g) any given network or systems infrastructure constraints that may impact a desired initial electronic software distribution (“ESD”) environment.
Each of these requirements affects the cost of the ESD.

Method used

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Embodiment Construction

[0013] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the figures. FIG. 1 illustrates a cost estimation program 10 executing in a computer 12 to estimate the cost of an initial ESD and subsequent maintenance. Computer 12 is a standard type such as a known workstation or server, and includes a CPU 14, operating system 15, RAM 16, ROM 18 and disk storage 20. Cost estimation program 10 includes a user interface program module 30, a cost estimating program module 32, a goal-seeking alternatives program module 34, a rules, facts and knowledge database 38, a sensitivity program module 39, a knowledge database manager program module 41, and a systems framework program module 40. The user interface module 30 allows a knowledge engineer to enter customer requirements. The customer requirements determine the unique ESD environment variables and needs (such as number of workstations and servers, type of network used, types of applications requiring upgrades, etc.) for ...

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PUM

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Abstract

System and computer program product for estimating the cost of an ESD for software and subsequent updates for the software. Various cost factors can be considered such as one or more of the following. First program instructions determine a cost of the ESD associated with packaging together components of the software. Second program instructions receive a selection from an operator whether to push or pull the subsequent updates to a customer, and determine a cost for distributing the subsequent updates based on the selection. Third program instructions estimate a cost of the ESD associated with a type of program used by the customer to create images of the software. Fourth program instructions estimate a cost of the subsequent updates associated with distributing the updates to a remote distribution site, and then distributing the updates from the remote distribution site to the customer based on a type of customer tool used to download the updates from the remote distribution site. Fifth program instructions sum together the various costs.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates generally to computer systems, and deals more particularly with a technique to estimate the cost of electronically distributing and maintaining software. [0002] It is well known today to electronically distribute software via the Internet or other network. There are many factors effecting the complexity of the distribution including: (a) the requisite number of workstation and server images that need the software, (b) whether these are first time installation of the software, (c) the requisite number of application updates, operating system patches / fixes and security updates, (d) the amount and type of data that is associated with the software and must be distributed with the software, (e) the difficulty of installation, configuration, deployment and maintenance of the software applications, operating system, software packaging tools, software distribution tools and image maintenance tools, (f) the complexity of the network to...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): G06F17/00
CPCG06Q30/0206G06Q30/0283G06Q40/00
Inventor HILKEMEYER, GERHARDIQBAL, MICKEYJOHANNS, ROBERT LAURENCELENZINI, VERNONMCCUBBIN, ROBINTREES, PATRICK FRANCIS
Owner IBM CORP
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