Patent attributes
Methods, and apparatus, enabling an originating service provider to automatically obtain from a 3rd party service provider and run a software service online. Method comprising: originating service provider negotiating license with 3rd party service provider over certain software service run by 3rd party service provider; license stipulating life cycle information of software service, enabling originating service provider to automatically obtain software service; 3rd party provider delivering software service to originating service provider in response to agreements of license; and originating service provider automatically deploying software service in self-hosted environment according to stipulation of the license. Based on the method and apparatus of the present invention, the service provider can automatically and flexibly obtain a software service to reduce costs of the service provider and ensure quality of the software service, and facilitate the expansion of software service filed and software service update.