A method and apparatus is disclosed for using an open application interface to enable communications between the components and sub-components of a complex system, such as an OSS system. In a first embodiment, one or more Intelligent Flow Engines (IFEs) are used to register all applications and/or components in the system. Once the applications have been registered, then a component requiring service from another application/component sends a request for service to an IFE. The IFE then determines which provider application can best provide the requested service and binds the requesting application with that provider application. In accordance with another embodiment, when a provider component is taken offline, e.g., for maintenance or to replace that component with a new or upgraded component, the applications of that component are un-registered and any applications that were bound to that component are seamlessly rerouted and are bound with another application if one is available.