Adapter Services for Insurance Application Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Insurance applications require extensive reprogramming and integration with other applications, such as rules engines, which can be complex and time-consuming, especially when structural changes are needed.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates a first application with a second application by associating component types with engine object types, using configurable rules to determine the hierarchical structure of the second application, and initiating operations such as copying engine objects in response to requests from the first application, while generating URLs for seamless access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If insurance applications are integrated with rules engines through extensive direct integration, then functionality and customization are achieved, but integration complexity and time required for structural changes increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary component that sits between the insurance application and the rules engine. This adapter handles the integration logic and data mapping, allowing the application to interact with the rules engine without direct complex integration. The adapter can be configured through XML files to map application components to engine objects, reducing integration complexity while maintaining customization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integration architecture is segmented into distinct layers: the insurance application layer, the adapter layer, and the rules engine layer. Each layer has specific responsibilities and can be developed, modified, and maintained independently. This segmentation allows structural changes in one layer without affecting others, reducing integration complexity while preserving functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If extensive reprogramming is performed to make structural changes to insurance applications, then product customization is achieved, but development time and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter configuration is made dynamic through XML files that can be modified without reprogramming the application. Structural changes and product customizations can be achieved by changing configuration files rather than rewriting code, dramatically reducing development time while maintaining full customization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter uses configuration files (XML) as templates to define the mapping between application components and engine objects. These configuration files can be copied, modified, and reused across different products and scenarios, eliminating the need for extensive reprogramming when creating new insurance products or making structural changes.
3Reliability
If direct integration between insurance applications and rules engines is implemented, then functional requirements are met, but ease of operation and maintenance decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter serves as a maintenance-friendly intermediary that encapsulates all integration logic. When changes are needed in the rules engine or application, the adapter's configuration files can be modified without affecting the core systems, making operation and maintenance easier while ensuring reliable functional integration.
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, a system to integrate a first application with a second application may associate a component type in the first application with an engine object type in the second application. The component type and the engine object type may be program object types. The system may determine a hierarchical structure that includes an engine object of the engine object type from configurable rules that are associated with the component type. The system may initiate a copy of the engine object in the second application in response to receipt of a request to copy a component of the component type in the first application.