Methods and apparatus for managing computing resources based on yield management framework

An apparatus for managing one or more computing resources, the apparatus comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:
• obtain data associated with at least one potential demand for use of the one or more computing resources;
• generate a management model in accordance with at least a portion of the obtained data, wherein the management model is operative to determine an allocation of the one or more computing resources based on products, comprising combinations of price levels and service levels, that may be offered to one or more users of the one or more computing resources so as to attempt to satisfy at least one management goal, wherein the combinations are determined by (i) computing a set of prices and (ii) computing a set of service levels to offer to the one or more users at each one of the prices in the set of prices, and wherein the set of prices and the set of service levels are derived from:
• (i) levels associated with the one or more computing resources;
• (ii) historical demand data;
• and (iii) predicted demand data;
• evaluate the satisfaction of the management goal for each combination associated with the management model;
• determine an optimal configuration of the one or more computing resources, in accordance with the management model, that maximizes the management goal, wherein the optimal configuration is determined by solving the management model using one of a linear programming solver and a nonlinear programming solver;
• and control a usage load level of the one or more computing resources by modulating quantities of products offered to the one or more users of the one or more computing resources.

An article of manufacture for managing one or more computing resources, comprising a computer readable storage medium containing one or more programs which when executed implement the steps of:

• obtaining data associated with at least one potential demand for use of the one or more computing resources;
• generating a management model in accordance with at least a portion of the obtained data, wherein the management model is operative to determine an allocation of the one or more computing resources based on products, comprising combinations of price levels and service levels, that may be offered to one or more users of the one or more computing resources so as to attempt to satisfy at least one management goal, wherein the combinations are determined by (i) computing a set of prices and (ii) computing a set of service levels to offer to the one or more users at each one of the prices in the set of prices, and wherein the set of prices and the set of service levels are derived from:
• (i) levels associated with the one or more computing resources;
• (ii) historical demand data;
• and (iii) predicted demand data;
• evaluating the satisfaction of the management goal for each combination associated with the management model;
• determining an optimal configuration of the one or more computing resources, in accordance with the management model, that maximizes the management goal, wherein the optimal configuration is determined by solving the management model using one of a linear programming solver and a nonlinear programming solver;
• and
• controlling a usage load level of the one or more computing resources by modulating quantities of products offered to the one or more users of the one or more computing resources;
• wherein the steps are executed by one or more computers.