Describing services and requests
Service points  
Services assured by resource architecture elements are represented by some service points .
*A service point is a point from which the system receives a service request from another system, and provides the service requested.
The service is requested according to precise terms defined by an exchange contract assigned to the service point.
*An exchange contract is a model of a contract between organizational entities. This contract is described by exchanges between an initiator role and one or several contributor roles.
Resources activated to assure a service are linked to the service point by interactions. If activation of several resources is necessary, then several interactions must be created between the service point and the architecture resources.
In the example here, the support service is linked to two interactions, based on the same contract, that represent activation of one support center or another as a function of time slot.
To create a service point, see Creating a Service Point or a Request Point.
Request points 
A request point enables representation of use of an external service.
*A request point is a point from which the system sends a request to another system, and receives the service requested.
The service is requested according to precise terms defined by an exchange contract assigned to the request point.
*An exchange contract is a model of a contract between organizational entities. This contract is described by exchanges between an initiator role and one or several contributor roles.
Resources that issue a request are linked to the request point by an interaction.
In the example, request points represent service requests made between call center operators and other organizations.
The request point creation procedure is identical to that for service points. For more details, see Creating a Service Point or a Request Point.