On the characterization of multi-channel applications

We are assisting to the evolution of new generation applications and services, progressively providing - through a single interface - more interactions among the users and between the users and the network. This is promoting the development of multi-channel applications (e.g. Skype, Cloud Computing Platforms, Facebook, ...) that are specifically designed to easily manage different services delivered on different channels, providing a single access point for the users. This work proposes an integrated multi-layer methodology for the analysis, characterization, and identification of multi-channel applications. A proof of its applicability is shown considering Skype as a case study.