For the service platform, the system of a requesting user is called a service requester, and a provider of functions is called a service component. An SOA environment used for managing the enterprise service bus (ESB) that implements service linkage and BPEL-compliant business processes is called an HCSC server. When a user issues a request to execute a service component, SOA invokes and then executes an appropriate service component from business processes and service adapters deployed on the HCSC server. In addition, business and functions are managed as services, and services are distributed in response to requests.

For details about the functionality for distributing services, see Chapter 2. Functionality for Connecting to Various Types of Systems.