Need your input: SDP 8100 best practices

Hello, I am in the process of planning our implementation of SDP 8100 from 8027. I would like to get your input on how you've handled things like implementing the Service Catalog, keeping service requests and incidents separate or not, utilizing the different request service categories, etc. Any input is greatly appreciated.

For example, here is the direction we are heading. I would like to know that you think.

We will be implementing the service catalog for the first time. Basically, each category that we had before (for our incidents and service requests) will now be its own catalog. For example, we will have a service catalog called Hardware with service called printer. So prior, a user would create a default request and choose the cat and sub cat themself. Now, they will choose the service catalog and the cat and sub cat will be populated for them behind the scenes. Is this what you are doing? We will make a service catalog for each category that we had prior. So Business and Web Apps for example with have about 50 services underneath it all configured prior so the user does not have to pick a cat and sub cat. They just pick the service cat a log and service.

Also, we are headed in the direction of combining the service catalog requests and the incidents for the requestor. Our logic is less choices the better when the requestor is deciding how to submit a request. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance for your insight!