Best Record Calculator Platform for Master Data Merging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current master data management processes for consolidating multiple records into a single electronic record are time-consuming and impractical, especially when dealing with a large number of records and input data sources, as they require sequential application of consolidation rules and multiple database queries.

Innovation Solution

A two-phase process involving duplicate identification and merging of records using a 'best record calculator platform' that applies survivorship rules to resolve conflicts, prioritizing data sources based on reliability and recency, and using a single query to construct best records, thereby reducing the need for temporary tables and improving performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sequential consolidation rules are applied with multiple database queries, then data accuracy is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-ranking source records according to survivorship rules before the actual consolidation process. Records are pre-sorted and prioritized based on reliability, recency, and other criteria, so that when consolidation occurs, the system already knows which records to prefer without needing multiple sequential queries to determine this during the merging process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the consolidation process into distinct phases: first ranking source records according to survivorship rules, then consolidating based on the predetermined ranking. This segmentation allows the system to separate the decision-making about record priority from the actual merging operation, improving both accuracy and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple consolidation rules are applied in sequence, then merging accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemerging accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of record prioritization from a dynamic, query-time determination to a static, pre-calculated ranking based on survivorship rules. By transforming the consolidation logic into a predetermined ranking system with configurable parameters (reliability weights, recency factors, etc.), the system achieves accurate merging without the complexity of multiple sequential rule applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary ranking mechanism that sits between the raw source records and the final consolidated record. This intermediary layer pre-processes and ranks records according to survivorship rules, serving as a mediator that simplifies the consolidation process by eliminating the need for complex sequential rule evaluation during merging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If temporary tables are created for each consolidation step, then data integrity is maintained, but resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoidresource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-ranking all source records before consolidation begins, eliminating the need to create temporary tables during the merging process. The predetermined rankings allow the system to directly consolidate records in the correct order without intermediate storage requirements, reducing resource consumption while maintaining data integrity through the structured ranking approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2608074B1Systems and methods for merging source records in accordance with survivorship rules
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 SAP SE
  • EP2608074B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2608074B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2608074B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to some embodiments, a plurality of source records may be received from a plurality of data sources, with each source record including a plurality of fields. It may be determined that a match group of source records from different data sources relate to the same entity, and a single best record may be automatically created for the match group based on field values from different source records in the match group. The creating may includes, for example, assigning a first set of fields to a first survivorship group associated with a first survivorship rule and a second set of fields to a second survivorship group associated with a second survivorship rule. All records in the match group may then be simultaneously ranked in accordance with the first and second survivorship rules using a single query. The best record could then be stored for subsequent use by other applications.