Stepwise template integration method and system

Abstract

A method, apparatus and computer program product is provided to create an integration process between a source system and target system. The integration method and system includes creating a mapping between one or more source objects and one or more target objects as part of an integration process between a respective source system and target system. The complete workflow has a sequence of activities that specifies operations on the one or more source objects and one or more target objects as between the respective source system and target system, including the mapping between one or more source objects and one or more target objects. Next, one implementation selectively includes a limited subset of operations from the sequence of activities in the complete workflow that interact with the one or more source objects and one or more target objects. These selective objects, operations and activities are identified as generally needing modification when performing an integration process. Once identified, method and systems of the present invention sequence the limited subset of operations selected from the complete workflow in a stepwise template that streamlines the integration process between the source system and target system. The subset of operations focus on mappings between and operations performed upon source objects and target objects associated with the limited subset of operations selected from the operations in the complete workflow.

Description

[0001]This application relates to and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 062,068, filed Feb. 18, 2005 to Scott et al. entitled “Mapping Assurance Method and Apparatus for Integrating Systems”, which is incorporated herein by reference in the entirety for all purposes and assigned to the assignee of the instant application.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Many companies leverage computer systems and software applications to improve their efficiency and organization in business. Often these systems are integrated together allowing information from one software application or system to be used or analyzed by another software application or system. Benefits associated with integrating and using these computer systems and software in business are numerous and include tighter control over inventory, improved financial forecasting, expedited internal and external information-flow and sales force automation.[0003]Initially, the many benefits of having integrated applications an...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

As the computer systems and applications grow, so do the costs of managing an increasing larger IT staff.

Eventually, the cost of managing the IT staff outstrips the medium to long-term cost-benefit of having the integrated computer systems.

In many cases, the complexity of integrating these large computer systems and software applications is a cost-prohibitive task.

The solutions involve integrating the data and business logic between several existing applications and frequently involve complex solutions.

Because the work is outsourced and complex, these customized solutions are often expensive and difficult to complete in a reasonable time frame.

Despite these efforts, many of the EAI solutions remain complicated to use and understand.

For example, conventional EAI solutions do not necessarily give a user any guidance in starting the integration process or the necessary steps to perform.

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