Virtual firm technology

A method implemented by one or more computing devices to facilitate sharing enterprise resources, the method comprising:

• configuring a resource abstraction layer defining a plurality of virtual enterprise resources mapped to a plurality of enterprise resources;
• providing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that defines a workflow containing a plurality of tasks;
• providing a two-layered task assignment functionality including a layer-one assignment and a layer-two assignment, wherein the layer-one assignment selects a suitable virtual enterprise resource from the plurality of virtual enterprise resources for each task in the plurality of tasks, and the layer-two assignment selects a suitable enterprise resource from the enterprise resources mapped to the selected virtual enterprise resource;
• and
• causing the plurality of tasks to be executed by the respective selected enterprises resources.

One or more computer-readable media storing executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform acts comprising:

• configuring a resource abstraction layer defining a plurality of virtual enterprise resources mapped to a plurality of enterprise resources;
• and
• providing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that defines a workflow containing a plurality of tasks;
• providing a two-layered task assignment functionality including a layer-one assignment and a layer-two assignment, the layer-one assignment selects a suitable virtual enterprise resource from the plurality of virtual enterprise resources for each task in the plurality of tasks, and the layer-two assignment selects a suitable enterprise resource from the enterprise resources mapped to the selected virtual enterprise resource;
• and
• causing the plurality of tasks to be executed by the respective selected enterprises resources.