Enterprise Management System for Real-Time Business-IT Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for correlating business operations with IT operations in real-time are inadequate, as they often rely on indirect measurements and guesswork, failing to accurately track the impact of IT issues on business operations and vice versa.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates, normalizes, and correlates direct measurements from all layers of business operations in real-time, using a model of layers that includes the business, application, and infrastructure layers, with business layer measurements serving as anchor events to guide correlations and enforce management policies across layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct measurements are taken at the Business Layer to detect business operation issues, then measurement precision for business operations is improved, but the ability to correlate with IT operations and identify root causes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments measurements into three distinct layers (Business Layer, Application Layer, Infrastructure Layer) with separate direct measurement mechanisms for each. This allows precise measurement at the business layer while maintaining separate correlation pathways to IT operations, resolving the contradiction between business-focused precision and root cause analysis capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces correlation data as an intermediary element that links Business Layer measurements with Application and Infrastructure Layer measurements. This intermediary enables both direct business measurement precision and root cause identification by establishing relationships between layers without sacrificing either capability.
2Loss of information
If bottom up Infrastructure Event Aggregation is used to find correlations, then IT operation visibility is improved, but business layer direct measurement capability and accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the measurement approach into two independent paths: bottom-up aggregation for IT operation visibility and direct measurement for business layer accuracy. Both paths operate simultaneously without interference, allowing complete information visibility while maintaining measurement precision through separate dedicated mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges bottom-up infrastructure event aggregation with direct business layer measurements into a unified correlation framework. This combination enables both IT operation visibility and business measurement accuracy to coexist by integrating multiple data sources through the correlation engine rather than relying on a single measurement approach.
3Measurement precision
If Business Activity Monitoring is used to monitor business operations, then business layer measurement capability is improved, but integration with IT operations and real-time correlation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges business activity monitoring capabilities with IT operation monitoring into a single integrated platform. The correlation engine processes measurements from all three layers simultaneously, enabling both business layer measurement precision and real-time integration with IT operations through unified event processing and correlation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous real-time processing of measurements across all layers through persistent correlation engine operation. This continuous action ensures that business layer measurements are immediately correlated with IT operation data without interruption or delay, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and integration efficiency.
4Ease of operation
If derived Service Level performance is used to report on Business Operations, then IT operation focus is maintained, but accuracy and reliability of business performance data deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces direct business layer measurements as an intermediary source that provides reliable business performance data independent of IT operation focus. This intermediary measurement layer ensures data reliability by capturing actual business metrics while the correlation engine maintains the connection to IT operations for comprehensive analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that continuously validate business performance data against actual business layer measurements. This feedback loop ensures reliability by comparing derived metrics with direct measurements and adjusting correlations accordingly, maintaining accurate business performance reporting while preserving IT operation analytical focus.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for monitoring, predicting performance of, and managing Business Operations by the simultaneous, real-time Integration, Normalization and Correlation of direct measurements at the Business Layer and other Layers of Business Operations. The other Layers considered, may include, for example, Application and Infrastructure Layers. The system enables the user to automate sophisticated management tasks by Correlating measurements of activity, performance and availability at all Layers of Business Operations. Significantly, the techniques described herein extend the domain of the Correlations across real-time measurements from all Layers of Business Operations, giving central importance to the measurements in the Business Layer within the Correlations.