Automated Provisioning Workflow Engine for IT Resource Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional provisioning systems in large-scale IT environments are complex, time-consuming, and error-prone due to their reliance on proprietary scripting languages and lack of explicit interdependencies between applications and services, requiring human expertise and leading to inefficiencies in change management.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of automated provisioning workflows with programmatic invocation of tasks, supported by a provisioning system, which includes a workflow engine for automatic execution and exception handling through automated message exchange, enabling seamless integration with change management systems and concurrent provisioning of managed resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional provisioning systems use proprietary scripting languages and manual GUI-based workflows, then administrators can define and execute provisioning operations, but the process becomes complex, time-consuming, and error-prone requiring human expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service provisioning by allowing administrators to define high-level service requirements without needing to understand the complex interdependencies or manual scripting details. The automated provisioning system then self-manages the entire workflow, automatically determining task sequences, handling dependencies, and executing provisioning operations without human intervention in the execution phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical workflows (GUI-based step-by-step provisioning) with an automated computational system. The automated provisioning system uses software agents and scripts to execute provisioning tasks programmatically, substituting human manual operations with automated computational processes that run without human intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional provisioning systems require detailed understanding of system structure and dependencies, then administrators can formulate change plans, but the complexity increases and requires human expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary automated provisioning system that sits between the administrator and the complex system dependencies. The administrator interacts with a simplified interface, while the intermediary system handles the complexity of system structure analysis, dependency resolution, and task sequencing automatically, shielding the administrator from complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The provisioning system segments the complex provisioning process into independent, modular tasks with clearly defined interfaces. Each task represents a discrete unit of work that can be executed independently or in sequence based on dependencies. This segmentation allows the system to manage complexity by breaking down monolithic provisioning operations into manageable, reusable task components.
3Reliability
If conventional provisioning systems use manual workflows with fine-grained definitions, then provisioning operations can be controlled, but the process becomes repetitive and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical provisioning operations with automated computational execution. The automated system programmatically executes provisioning tasks without human intervention, eliminating manual errors while maintaining operational control through automated workflow management and exception handling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The provisioning system implements continuous automated execution of provisioning workflows without interruption by manual operations. The system continuously monitors task execution, automatically handles dependencies, and proceeds through the provisioning process without stopping for human intervention, thereby eliminating repetitive manual actions and associated errors.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional provisioning systems isolate provisioning from change management, then provisioning can be performed independently, but integration with change management processes is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The automated provisioning system is designed with universal interfaces that can integrate with multiple change management systems and workflows. The system can function independently or be integrated into broader change management processes, accommodating different organizational workflows and systems without requiring custom integration for each scenario.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for automated provisioning of managed resources in a distributed computing environment. Automated provisioning of managed resources is realized by systems and methods that support automated execution of provisioning workflows through programmatic invocation of provisioning tasks (sequentially and/or parallel invocation) supported by a provisioning system, as well as automated control and coordination of task execution and exception handling through automated message exchange. Systems and methods support automated provisioning through seamless integration of provisioning and change management systems, whereby provisioning systems can automatically interpret and execute reusable change plans that are generated (on-the-fly) by change management systems. The change plans comprise provisioning workflow processes that are described using a standard, platform-independent workflow language.