WO2001025918A2 - Frameworks for methods and systems of providing netcentric computing - Google Patents

Abstract

A netcentric application framework is disclosed that includes a web server and a remote client connected with the web server. In the preferred embodiment, the web server contains a knowledge handling component, a transaction handling component, an integration component, a process management component, a collaboration component, an interaction component, a public access component and a private access component. These components combine to provide an optimal netcentric computing framework that is capable of providing complete business solutions to all types of business transactions and processes.

Description

FRAMEWORKS FOR METHODS AND SYSTEMS OF PROVIDING NETCENTRIC COMPUTING

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional application Serial No: 60/156,962 filed on October 1, 1999.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to business computing, and more particularly, to frameworks for methods and systems of providing netcentric computing systems.

Background of the Invention

Computer based business solutions have existed for various different types of business transactions since the mid-to-late 1960s. During this time period, the technology focused on the use of batch technology. In batch processing, the business user would present a file of transactions to the application. The computer system would then run through the transactions, processing each one, essentially without user intervention. The computer system would provide reporting at some point in the batch processing. Typically, the reports would be batch printed, which in turn, would be used by the business user to correct the input transactions that were resubmitted along with the next night's batch transactions.

In the 1970s, businesses began a transition to on-line, interactive transactions. At a conceptual level, this processing opened up the file of transactions found in batch transactions and allowed the user to submit them one at a time, receiving either immediate confirmation of the success of the transaction or else feedback on the nature of the transaction error. The conceptually simple change of having the user interact with the computer on a transaction-at-a-time basis caused huge changes in the nature of business computing. More important, users saw huge changes in what they could do on a day-to- day basis. Customers were no longer forced to wait for a batch run to process the particular application. In essence, the computer had an impact on the entire workflow of the business user.

Along with the advent of on-line interactive systems, it was equally significant that the systems provided a means for the business user to communicate with others in the business as the day-to-day business went along. This capability was provided on the backbone of a wide area network (WAN). The WAN was in itself a demanding technology during this time period and because of these demands, telecommunications groups emerged within organizations, charged with the responsibility to maintain, evolve, and manage the network over time.

The theme of the 1980s was database management systems (DBMSs).

Organizations used and applied database technology in the 1970s, but in the 1980s they grew more confident in the application of DBMS technology. Because of the advances in network technology, the focus was now on the sharing of data across organizational and application boundaries. Curiously, database technology did not change the fundamental way in which business processing was done. DBMS made it more convenient to access the data and to ensure that it could be updated while maintaining the integrity of the data.

In the 1990s, technology began to shift toward client/server computing. Client/ server computing is a style of computing involving multiple processors, one of which is typically a workstation and across which a single business transaction is completed. Using the workstation, the transaction entered by the user could now be processed on a keystroke-by-keystroke basis.

Furthermore, there was a change in the communications. With client/server, users could communicate with others in the work group via a local area network (LAN). The LAN permitted workstation-to-workstation communications at speeds of 100 to 1,000 times what was typically available on a WAN. The LAN was a technology that could be grown and evolved in a local office with little need for direct interaction from the telecommunications group.

During the late 1990s, the Internet began to receive widespread use by consumers and businesses. In the business world, the Internet has caused the concept of business users to expand greatly because of the way in which computers are now capable of being interconnected. In addition, the cost of computers has dropped to the point that it is affordable for almost every household to own a computer if they so desire. As such, a need to expand the reach of computing both within and outside the enterprise, and that enables sharing of data and content between individuals and applications has developed.

Summary of the Invention The present invention discloses a framework for a netcentric computing system that is capable of expanding the reach of computing both within and outside the business enterprise.

Netcentric computing systems bring new technologies to the forefront, especially in the area of external presence and access, ease of distribution, and advanced media capabilities. Browsers, which provide a universal client, offer a new option in distributing functionality to both internal and external users. In prior client/server environments, distributing an application internally or externally for a business enterprise require that the application be recompiled and tested for all specific workstation operating systems. In addition, it usually required loading the application on each client or workstation.

Netcentric computing systems advantageously take advantage of browsers and offer an alternative to prior business solutions. Web browsers provide a universal client that offers users a consistent and familiar user interface. Using a browser, a user can launch many types of applications and view many types of documents. This can be accomplished on different operating systems/platforms and is independent of where the applications or documents reside. To that end, browsers change the way in which information is stored, transferred and updated as well as the way in which applications are executed.

The preferred netcentric computing system also provides an external presence and unprecedented access to supplier-to-customer relationships. By connecting a business node to the Internet, a series of opportunities is opened up to reach an audience outside a company's traditional internal users. The Internet is a vehicle for companies to conduct business with their customers and suppliers through the broadcasting of product and service descriptions, exchanging interactive information and conducting actual business transactions. Another benefit of netcentric computing systems is the ability to digitize, organize, and deliver textual, graphical and other information in addition to traditional data to a broader and more diverse audience. Internet based technologies (such as HTML documents, plug-ins and Java) and standardization of media information formats enable support for these types of complex documents, applications, and even nondiscrete data types such as audio and video. Advances in network bandwidth and compression technologies allow the present netcentric computing system to provide richer media-enabled applications on the Internet through the assistance of browsers and other media related applications.

Netcentric computing systems also provide advantages over client/server computing by providing application version checking and dynamic updating capabilities. Configuration management of traditional client/ server applications, which tend to be stored on both client hard disks and on the server, is a major issue for many corporations. The distribution and update problems of such applications that are packaged as one large, or a combination of a few large executables, makes minor updates difficult for even a small- scale user population because, every time an update is made, a process must be initiated to distribute new code to each client machine that uses the application.

One aspect of the present invention is a framework for a netcentric computing system that includes a web server and a remote client connected with the web server using an Internet connection. In the preferred embodiment, the web server contains a knowledge handling component, a transaction handling component, an integration component, a process management component, a collaboration component, an interaction component, a public access component and a private access component. These components provide the framework for a netcentric computing system that is capable of providing exceptional computing solutions to various business enterprises.

In the preferred embodiment, the knowledge handling component contains knowledge management applications that are capable of capturing, storing or making files available to the clients using the netcentric computing system. The transaction handling component includes transaction handling applications that are capable of performing transactional/clerical tasks within the netcentric computing system. The integration component includes integration applications that are used to interconnect a plurality of computer systems in the netcentric computing system, thereby making any resources of the computer systems that are a part of the netcentric computing system available to remote users.

The process management component includes process applications that process automated tasks in the netcentric computing system. The collaboration component includes collaboration applications that process non-automated tasks in the netcentric computing system. In addition, the interaction component contains interaction applications that provide application support to users of the netcentric computing system. The public access component provides access to the netcentric computing system to at least one public user. The private access component provides access to the netcentric computing system to at least one private user, which in the preferred embodiment are business partners.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method of providing a framework for a netcentric computing system. The preferred method captures, stores and makes files available with a knowledge handling component that includes knowledge management applications. In addition, transactional/clerical tasks are performed with a transaction handling component using transaction handling applications. A plurality of computer based devices and applications may be integrated in the netcentric computing system with an integration component that includes integration applications.

Automated business tasks are processed with a process management component that uses process applications to perform the automated business tasks. The preferred method also includes processing non-automated tasks with a collaboration component containing collaboration applications that support the completion of the non-automated business tasks. Support is provided to users of the netcentric computing system with an interaction component containing interaction applications that provide information about various applications. Public access is provided to the netcentric computing system with a public access component that includes public access applications; and private access is provided to the netcentric computing system with a private access component that includes private access applications.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention are clearly shown.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a diagram of the basic business activities in a netcentric environment. Figure 2 illustrates the preferred application framework for a netcentric computing system.

Figure 3 depicts the preferred physical makeup and interconnection of computing devices in a netcentric computing system.

Detailed Description of the Presently Preferred Embodiments of the Invention The present invention discloses frameworks for implementing a netcentric computer system that is capable of expanding the reach of computing both within and outside the business enterprise. In order to properly understand the present invention, it is important to have an understanding of how some of the terms used in the description set forth below should be construed. A framework is generally used to define something that aids with understanding and structuring a problem. In general, frameworks provide an understanding of problems and help structure solutions to problems.

For the purpose of the present invention, the term "netcentric" should be construed to cover various means of reaching out to customers and partners with computing systems and knowledge over a communications backbone, such as an intranet, extranet or Internet connection. To define netcentric properly, it is important to have a general understanding of a framework that describes the types of applications required in a netcentric computing system 10.

For netcentric computing systems, the manner in which the application logic is distributed to clients differs from traditional client server systems. In netcentric systems, application logic is preferentially packaged into components and distributed from a server to a client over a network connection between the client and server. In traditional client/server systems, the application logic is split between the client and the server on a permanent basis and as such there is no dynamic distribution of application logic. The client in netcentric computing systems also differs from the traditional client in client/server system. In netcentric computing systems, the client has standardized interfaces so that an application can execute with a client that can run on multiple operating systems and hardware platforms. In traditional client/server systems, the client is custom- made for a specific operating system and hardware platform. Further, the way in which netcentric computing systems can be extended and adapted is different. The application components of the preferred netcentric computing system enable the netcentric computing systems to be adaptable to a variety of distribution styles, from a "thin client" to a "fat client. " In comparison, as known to those skilled in the art, once designed and built, client server systems are less easily adapted for use with more than one computing style. Netcentric frameworks must support a style of computing where processes on different machines communicate using messages. In this style of computing, "client" processes delegate business functions or other tasks (such as data manipulation logic) to one or more server processes. Server processes respond to messages from clients. Business logic can reside on both the client and server. Clients are typically PCs or workstations with a graphical user interface running a web browser. Servers are preferentially implemented on UNIX, NT, or mainframe machines. In netcentric computing systems, preferentially there is a tendency to move more business logic to the servers, although "fatter" clients result from new technologies such as Java and ActiveX.

Referring to Fig. 1, the types of business activities or types of business needs that require support in a netcentric computing system 10 can be broken down into three primary levels. The top level 12 represents an organizations' needs for support for their dealings with customers and business partners. The middle level 14 represents a need for support for internal processes and the work of both individual knowledge workers as well as teams of workers. The bottom level 16 represents the need for the more traditional layer of transactions, data and knowledge.

Given the framework for the types of business activities or types of business needs that require support in the netcentric computing system 10, a framework 20 for a preferred netcentric computing system 10 can be mapped against them, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The framework 20 includes a knowledge handling component 22, a transaction handling component 24, an integration component 26, a process management component 28, a collaboration component 30, an interaction component 32, a public access component 34 and a private access component 36. Those skilled in the art should recognize that the term component is used broadly to refer to a single application or a group or set of applications used in the netcentric computing system 10 to perform various tasks.

Referring to Fig. 3, the physical picture of an illustrative netcentric computing system 10 is set forth in which the present framework 20 may be incorporated. The netcentric computing system 10 includes a main business enterprise 40 that preferentially has at least one client 42, at least one database server 44, at least one firewall 46, at least one application server 48, at least one web server 50 and at least one LAN connection 52. As known in the art, LAN connections 52 are used to interconnect various components (i.e. - workstations or servers) that are located at a main enterprise location 53 within the main business enterprise 40. Those skilled in the art would recognize that various types of LAN connections 52 exist and may be used in the present invention. For the purpose of the present invention, the firewall 46 is used to isolate internal systems of the netcentric computing system 10 from unwanted intruders. As known in the art, firewalls 46 isolate the web servers 50 from all Internet traffic that is not relevant to the netcentric computing system 10. In the preferred embodiment, the only requests allowed through the firewall 46 are for services on the web servers 50. All requests for other applications (e.g., FTP, Telnet) and other IP addresses are blocked by the firewall 46.

The web servers 50 are the primary interface to clients for all interactions with the applications within the netcentric computing system 10. The main task of the web servers 50 is to authenticate clients, establish a secure connection with clients to the web server 50 using encrypted messages, and allow client's applications to transparently access the provided resources of the netcentric computing system 10. The web servers 50 are responsible for accepting incoming HTTP messages and fulfilling the requests. For dynamic HTML page generation, requests are forwarded to the application servers 48. Static pages, such as help pages, are preferably generated by the web servers 50. In the preferred embodiment, the primary function of the application servers 48 is to provide a link through which the web servers 50 can interact with the host, trigger business transactions, and send back resulting data to clients. A fundamental role of the application servers 48 is to manage the logical flow of business transactions and keep track of the state of application sessions. The application servers 50 are also responsible for managing all sessions. Those skilled in the art would recognize that various applications may be performed on the application servers 50.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main purpose of the database servers 44 is to handle an application log. All requests sent to the web servers 50 and application servers 48 as well as responses are logged in the application log. The application log is used for traceability. In the preferred embodiment, requests are logged in the application log directly by the application server. Those skilled in the art would recognize that any number of items may be monitored by the application log.

As further illustrated in Fig. 3, a remote enterprise location 54 may be connected with the main enterprise location 53 with an intranet connection 56. Those skilled in the art would recognize that various types of intranet connections 56 exist and may be used in the present invention. Such communications backbones as the Internet, DSL, virtual private network (VPN) connections and various other connection means may be used in the preferred netcentric computing system 10. As such, the term intranet connection 56 should be construed broadly to include any communications backbone capable of providing communications between the computing systems of various business locations.

As further illustrated in Fig. 3, the firewall 46 of the main enterprise location 40 is connected with an Internet connection 58 that connects that main enterprise location 40 to at least one remote client 60. The remote clients 60 can access data at the main business enterprise 40 and the remote enterprise locations 54 by using the Internet connection 58 and preferentially a browser to gain access to the information and services provided by the netcentric computing system 10. The Internet connection 58 gives the remote clients 60 the ability to gain access to information and data content contained on the database servers 52, the application servers 56, and the web servers 58. As known in the art, the firewall 46 provides security to the clients 60 that gain access to the information contained at the business enterprise 40 through the Internet connection 58.

In the preferred embodiment, the business enterprise 40 is connected with at least one supplier computing system 62 through the use of an extranet connection 64. As known in the art, extranet connections 64 can be accomplished using one of several different types of communication backbones, such as the Internet, DSL connections, or virtual private networks. The supplier computing system 62 may have a supplier firewall 66 that is used to secure the information and data stored at the supplier 62. A supplier intranet connection 68 may be connected with the supplier firewall 66 to allow users of the extranet connection 64 to pass and gain access to information contained on at least one supplier application server 70 or at least one supplier web server 72. Those skilled in the art would recognize that other types of servers that contain applications may also be available at the supplier 62. At least one supplier client 74 may be connected with the supplier intranet connection 68 to allow the supplier client 74 to gain access, modify, update or view information and/or data that is contained on the supplier application server 70 or the supplier web server 72. The supplier client 74 may also gain access to information and data content at the business enterprise 40 through the extranet connection 64, if access is granted the particular user. Those skilled in the art would recognize that the supplier computing system 62 may have various network connections and computing devices that are not illustrated in Fig. 3. Although these internal connections are not illustrated in Fig. 3, this should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention. Referring once again to Fig. 2, the knowledge handling component 22 contains knowledge management applications that capture, store, and make available the knowledge stored within files contained in various databases located on servers 44, 48, 50. The knowledge management software applications of the knowledge handling component 22 provide users with access to various forms of information contained in data files, such as documentation, images, voice, and video files. The data files that the knowledge handling component 22 store and manipulate are primarily based on the needs and interests of the individuals working with them.

In the preferred embodiment, the knowledge management application of the knowledge handling component 22 use indexing and accessing schemes that allow users to access information contained in the data that is stored in the knowledge handling component 22. In addition, the knowledge management applications allow users to create new forms of data content from underlying knowledge sources based on the specific requests of the particular user. An example of a knowledge management application that could be used within the knowledge handling component 22 includes supplying customers with a custom catalog based on the needs and concerns of individual customers. Another is the ability to provide to suppliers rich data types, such as CAD/CAM-based data files, so that business partners can extend, revise or even move designs to computer-driven manufacturing machines to control manufacturing. Those skilled in the art would recognize that various knowledge management applications may be used in the knowledge handling component 22.

The knowledge management applications that are contained in the knowledge handling component 22 are distinct from applications that are used to handle business transactions. Business transactions require a high-level of interaction that must be managed. To that end, the netcentric framework 20 contains a plurality of components that use distinct applications to manage data.

The transaction handling component 24 is used in the netcentric application framework 20 to handle various types of data that is transferred during business transactions. As such, the transaction handling component 24 contains software applications that are designed to receive and handle various types of transactions that occur during the ordinary course of business. These software applications, order entry and billing, to name two, primarily deal with individual transactions and clerical tasks. The transaction handling software applications within transaction handling component 24 will vary depending on the need of the particular business entity and the types of products or services provided to consumers. Those skilled in the art would recognize that various types of transaction software handling software applications may be contained in and developed for the transaction handling component 24.

The integration component 26 provides a bridge between existing systems and new systems for the integration of data and knowledge between the transaction handling components 24, the knowledge handling component 26, the process management component 28 and the collaboration component 30. In order to provide an interface between old and new systems, integration software applications are designed to transform data from one system to another.

The integration software applications in the integration component 26 allow the leveraging of legacy system assets as organizations move from one set of technologies and applications to the next generation. The integration software applications that are used to transform data in the integration component 26 preferably shield the netcentric application framework 20 from the tools used access and store data and knowledge files, which provides a level of flexibility and future proofing that is desirable as business entities employ new technologies.

Screen scrapers and database interface architecture components are examples of integration software applications that are used by the integration component 26. A database interface software application, for example, may allow one to access legacy databases and connect together sets of physical records into a logical record that meets specific needs of the application using the information contained in the database files being accessed. Processes and supporting tools are being developed to automate the creation of these interfaces.

A second kind of integration software application that may be in the integration component 26 involves building new databases and systems so they are easier to integrate with future systems. One utility company, for example, is building a new customer system using object technology. Given the size of the database, it decided to use DB2. The company is, however, building an object layer or wrapper around the DB2 database. This will enable the smooth integration with future object-oriented applications and technologies. Finally, integration software applications in the integration component 26 might be designed to support an enterprise as it teams with other enterprises. If alliances are to be successful, enterprises will share data and information contained in files that are stored in a wide variety of systems. As such, integration software applications in the integration component 26 will allow enterprises to connect and integrate with their partners and customers.

The process management component 28 contains process management software applications that support knowledge workers and address entire processes that are performed in the netcentric application framework 20. Again, the process management component are typically located on a file-server 44, 48, 50. As such, the process management component 28 provides the front-to-back management of critical processes such as customer service or product development. Many of the process management software applications involve managing imaging files, documents and workflow management technologies. The process management software applications that are developed for the process management component 28 significantly increase business performance. These software applications are preferentially designed to handle well-defined processes; although flexible, they nonetheless follow a set of well-defined and predictable steps. For example, entering an order or checking on inventory stock or setting up an insurance claim are examples of tasks that are handled by process management software applications.

In the netcentric application framework 20 the process management component 28 extends out to customers and partners, taking advantage of the automation that such extensions offer. For example, the business partner might be able to check on-hand stock and the volume of usage and, on this basis, automatically restock on-hand inventory. An example for customers in their homes would be filling out an insurance policy application and getting a quote and an indication of acceptance of risk. In the netcentric application framework 20, the focus is not only to manage the process but to perform it as well. The ultimate goal is for the software application to do everything except what requires human intelligence or physical transport. Another focus is to make it easer for business to adjust processes as business conditions or strategies change.

The collaboration component 30 of the netcentric application framework 20 contains software applications that support less-defined processes that involve teamwork. These software applications arise when the steps and sequence of doing the work are unclear. In addition, the software applications arise when the process is complex and requires the interaction of people to see that a job is done well.

Collaboration is critical in the netcentric application framework 20 because it is necessary to ensure that the "human touch" is still present for the customer or partner, when needed. Also, it is central to avoiding automating things that are just too complex to automate. For example, a consumer trying to set up a home loan will need help to understand all the financial and legal implications of such a transaction.

The interaction component 32 improves the performance knowledge of workers, teams, partners and customers. Within the interaction component 32 are various interaction software applications that help users learn and use systems that increasingly become more complex. The interaction component 32 also helps users get up to speed more quickly and enable them to achieve higher levels of performance. Those skilled in the art would recognize that the interaction applications used in the interaction component 32 varies depending on the type of software application the user is using.

For the purpose of the present invention, the interaction component 32 should be broadly construed to include interaction software applications that train or assist users to achieve higher levels of performance. Letting customers, partners, and employees learn just in time, at the point of need, and providing them with advice and direction enables significant improvements in performance and acceptance of systems by those engaging them.

The public access component 34 addresses the needs of public users, more specifically, consumers, and serves to narrow the gap between a business enterprise, its products and the consumer. Effective software applications give the consumer what they want, when they want it. In addition, it will also let the customer participate directly in the processes such as order entry and product design.

One important trend in the public access component 34 relates to the integration with home devices. Moving software applications through the public access component 34 into the homes of consumers has had a tremendous impact on business, education and entertainment. Another trend in the public access component 34 relates to the integration with wireless communication devices, such as PDAs, digital phones and pagers. The private access component 36 of the netcentric application framework 20 deals with private access software applications that allow enterprises to maintain its links with other organizations, such as suppliers, distributors, alliance partners and the government. The first stage of the private access component 36 is preferentially a communications link for transaction exchange. Electronic data interchange (EDI) is one well-known example of such services.

The preferred private access component 36 takes full advantage of the convergence of computing, communications and knowledge. As such, more direct links are provided with business partners and allow them to coordinate more effectively their response to changes in customer demand. Preferentially, the private access component 36 will enable total supply chain integration. For example, parts lists can be generated for contractors, orders taken, information sent directly to the shop floor, where a window instance is built to that particular specification.

The software applications used by the private access component 36 manage and perform business- to-business processes enabling the virtualization of business, bringing together strategy, people, process and technology in a unique configuration across multiple companies to serve the customer in a more powerful way. Those skilled in the art would recognize that the exact setup of the private access component 36 would vary depending upon the relationship with the business enterprise. As set forth above, the present invention discloses a netcentric application framework 20 for a netcentric computing system 10 that includes various operational components. Each of the components set forth above is designed to fully automate all of the processes that need to be accomplished in the netcentric computing system 10. As set forth above, each of the components contain specialized software applications the perform various functional tasks for the business enterprise 40. Those skilled in the art would recognize that the particular needs of the business enterprise 40 will dictate the exact makeup of the software applications that are used in the components.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the remote clients 60 use a browser to interact with the web servers 50, which preferentially store the components of the netcentric computing system 10 set forth above. In some embodiments of the present invention, updates or plug-ins may need to be added to the browsers of the remote clients 60 to allow complete access to files and applications contained the web servers 50. While the invention has been described in its currently best known modes of operation and embodiments, other modes and embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are contemplated. For other features, advantages and combinations of the present invention refer to U.S. Provisional Application Serial

No. 60/156,962, entitled NETCENTRIC AND CLIENT/SERVER COMPUTING, which is herein incorporated by reference, in its entirety.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A netcentric application framework, comprising: a server; a remote client connected with said server; wherein said server contains a knowledge handling component, a transaction handling component, an integration component, a process management component, a collaboration component, an interaction component, a public access component and a private access component.

2. The netcentric application framework of claim 1, wherein said knowledge handling component includes at least one knowledge management application capable of capturing, storing or making files available in said netcentric application framework.

3. The netcentric application framework of claim 1, wherein said transaction handling component includes at least one transaction handling application capable of performing transactional/clerical tasks within the netcentric application framework.

4. The netcentric application framework of claim 1, wherein said integration component includes at least one integration application that interconnects a plurality of computer systems in said netcentric application framework.

5. The netcentric application framework of claim 1, wherein said process management component includes at least one process application that processes automated tasks in said netcentric application framework.

6. The netcentric application framework of claim 1, wherein said collaboration component includes at least one collaboration application that processes non-automated tasks in said netcentric application framework.

7. The netcentric application framework of claim 1, wherein said interaction component includes at least one interaction application that provides support to users of said netcentric application framework.

8. The netcentric application framework of claim 1, wherein said public access component provides access to at least one public user.

9. The netcentric application framework of claim 1, wherein said private access component provides access to said netcentric application framework to at least one business partner.

10. A netcentric application framework for a netcentric computing system, comprising: a knowledge handling component containing at least one knowledge management application capable of capturing, storing or making files available in said netcentric computing system; a transaction handling component containing at least one transaction handling application capable of performing transactional/clerical tasks within the netcentric computing system; an integration component containing integration applications that interconnect a plurality of computer systems in said netcentric computing system; a process management component containing process applications that process automated tasks in said netcentric computing system; a collaboration component containing collaboration applications that process non-automated tasks in said netcentric computing system; an interaction component containing interaction applications that providing support to users of said netcentric computing system; a public access component for providing access to said netcentric computing system to at least one public user; and a private access component for providing access to said netcentric computing system to at least one business partner.

11. The netcentric application framework of claim 10, further comprising at least one server connected with an Internet connection for providing access to said netcentric computing system to at least one client, wherein said client uses a browser to access said server.

12. The netcentric application framework of claim 11, wherein said server is a web server.

13. The netcentric application framework of claim 12, wherein said web server is connected with an application server.

14. The netcentric application framework of claim 12, wherein said web server is connected with an database server.

15. The netcentric application framework of claim 10, wherein said knowledge handling component, said transaction handling component, said integration component, said process management component, said collaboration component, said interaction component, said public access component and said private access component is located on a web server.

16. A method of providing a netcentric application framework in a computing system, comprising: capturing, storing or making files available with a knowledge handling component containing at least one knowledge management application; performing transactional/clerical tasks in said computing system with a transaction handling component containing at least one transaction handling application; integrating a plurality of computer systems in said computing system with an integration component containing at least one integration application; processing automated business tasks with a process management component containing at least one process applications; processing non-automated tasks with a collaboration component containing at least one collaboration application; providing support to users of said netcentric computing system with an interaction component containing at least one interaction application; providing access to said netcentric computing system with a public access component; and providing access to said netcentric computing system to at least one business partner with a private access component.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of providing at least one server connected with an Internet connection for providing access to said netcentric computing system to at least one client, wherein said client uses a browser to access said server.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said server is a web server.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said web server is connected with an application server.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said web server is connected with an database server.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein said knowledge handling component, said transaction handling component, said integration component, said process management component, said collaboration component, said interaction component, said public access component and said private access component is located on a web server.