Generic ADK Archive Reader for SAP Data Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

SAP ADK-format files are proprietary and encrypted, making them inaccessible outside the original SAP system, leading to data inaccessibility after the system's retirement and significant extraction times due to reliance on database tables and proprietary software.

Innovation Solution

Development of a generic ADK-format file reader that allows extraction on non-original SAP systems without database access, using a cloud-based distributed architecture with parallel processing across multiple systems to expedite data extraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If SAP proprietary ADK-format files are used for data archiving, then data compression and storage efficiency are improved, but data accessibility outside the original SAP system deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata storage efficiencyVSAvoiddata accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a copy of the proprietary SAP ADK archive files and processes them through a custom-built extraction tool that replicates the functionality of SAP's proprietary software. This allows the archived data to be accessed and extracted on non-SAP systems without requiring the original SAP environment, thereby maintaining data accessibility while preserving the compression efficiency of the original format.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary extraction tool that acts as a bridge between the proprietary ADK format and standard data formats. This intermediary software reads the compressed ADK files and converts them into accessible formats, enabling data retrieval without requiring access to the original SAP system while maintaining the space efficiency of the compressed storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If SAP standard archive extraction programs are used, then data extraction accuracy is improved, but system dependency and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata extraction accuracyVSAvoidsystem dependency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential data extraction functionality from the proprietary SAP system and implements it as a standalone tool. By separating the extraction capability from the SAP environment, the solution maintains accurate data extraction while eliminating dependency on SAP systems and database tables, thereby reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal extraction tool that can handle ADK archive files regardless of the originating SAP system version or configuration. This multi-functional approach allows the same tool to extract data accurately from various SAP environments without requiring system-specific adaptations, reducing both complexity and dependency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If archive data is extracted on the original SAP system, then data extraction completeness is improved, but extraction time and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata extraction completenessVSAvoidextraction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by preparing and validating the extraction tool and configuration before the actual data extraction process. This includes setting up the necessary software environment and parameters in advance, which enables the extraction process to run efficiently and complete faster without compromising data completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the large-scale data extraction process into smaller, manageable units that can be processed in parallel. By dividing the archive files and extraction tasks into discrete segments, the system can process multiple portions simultaneously, significantly reducing total extraction time while ensuring complete data recovery through systematic processing of all segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11847092B2Extracting SAP archive data on a non-original system
Publication Date: 2023.12.19 BUSINESS MOBILE AG
  • US11847092B2 patent drawing
  • US11847092B2 patent drawing
  • US11847092B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus, a method and a non-transitory computer readable medium are described herein related to extracting SAP archive data on a non-original system. In this way a user may extract business data from any ADK-format archive file in isolation, independent of the original system and without any accompanying metadata. A cloud-based on-demand distributed architecture with a plurality of virtualized SAP Netweaver Application Servers ABAP may speed up the extraction process from ADK-format files by an arbitrary order of magnitude.