Statement
Services are the description of a combination of functionalities and services between provider(s) and customer(s).
Description
Services are a form of encapsulation of the functionality and implementation of a composition of building blocks. Services, just like ABB and SBB, are used as a means of communication between provider and customer to indicate which service will be provided by the provider to the customer. Services can also be defined internally within the organization (also in a provider and customer context), for example infrastructural services for an application service or customer.
A service can be a composition of a building block that implements functionality within the ICT landscape. In addition, a service can consist of providing more structured (ICT) work processes in relation to the above-mentioned IT landscapes, for example a service desk. In this document we have limited the scope to that of the ICT architecture, ICT work processes are not elaborated here but are certainly relevant within other parts of the organization (service management).
This building block model can be applied in several ways if desired and not only in the IT field. Here we limit ourselves to ICT architecture.
Services can be composed of underlying services. In addition, they can be composed of one or more architectural building blocks. These compositions can create constellations of building blocks that ensure standardization of reusable applied services. Consider a standard application server with services (such as backup and restore) and ABB (for example relational storage)
Services are related to requirements, constraints and principles. This is preferably elaborated to indicate which needs are met from a customer perspective and which are not.
There is a lot of confusion around the term service. To avoid a discussion about the definition with each composition of persons, the term service is chosen, which is based on the characteristics below. In addition, a list of synonyms has been formulated that refer to the same characteristics below.
Characteristics
- A repeatable activity or behavior that is requested to be performed.
- A service offers one or more solutions to ICT needs that are understandable to the customer.
- Combination of an implementation of a functionality in one or more ABBs.
- Possibly in combination with one or more ICT work processes as a service.
- Services are offered to customers by providers.
- Services have a commercial and a financial (cost) aspect.
- Services have conditions for use and/or implementation.