A service element is defined and represented by a data structure. It
includes one or more components and/or one or more other service
elements. A service element providing a complete function is a service
offering. Management of service elements and/or service offerings is
facilitated by a Service Development Tool. In different aspects, the
management includes various tasks associated with creating, modifying and
deleting service elements, establishing relationships, error checking and
optimization. In a further aspect, service elements are packaged and
distributed to enable customers to deliver the service elements.
Additionally, the hosting of software packages is facilitated.