An apparatus and method to automate the deployment, provisioning, and
management of a programmable device for the life cycle states of the
programmable device is presented. The system includes an automation
interface for a developer to develop modules to aid in the automation of
the deployment, provisioning, and management of the programmable device
and for a user to direct the system to enter into a state of the life
cycle. A controller moves the programmable device into states of the life
cycle in response to triggering events occurring.