Incremental Cloud Software Provisioning via Self-Service Parameter Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual and complex process of provisioning cloud-based software packages for large enterprise applications often requires extensive customer information, leading to delayed access and prolonged provisioning times, as customers may not have immediate access to all necessary details.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for incremental provisioning of cloud-based software packages, where a self-service application is provided to receive missing parameters over time, allowing for automated provisioning of modules with initial parameters and enabling immediate access to partially provisioned services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual provisioning process is used for cloud-based software packages, then complete provisioning can be achieved, but provisioning time is prolonged and customer access is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The provisioning process is segmented into multiple independent phases: initial automated provisioning with available parameters, and subsequent completion phases where remaining parameters are gathered and applied. This allows the system to provision what it can immediately while deferring non-critical parameters, thereby reducing overall provisioning time without compromising complete provisioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary provisioning actions using the parameters that are already available at the time of customer request. By provisioning modules in advance with partial parameters and then completing the process later, the system eliminates waiting time for customers while ensuring complete provisioning is eventually achieved.
2Manufacturing precision
If all customer information is collected before provisioning, then accurate provisioning can be achieved, but customer access is delayed until all information is provided
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial provisioning with the parameters that are available, rather than waiting for all parameters to be collected. This partial action enables immediate customer access to licensed modules while maintaining the option to complete provisioning accurately later when all parameters are available, thus balancing speed and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The provisioning system dynamically adapts its operation mode based on parameter availability. When parameters are available, automated accurate provisioning is performed; when parameters are missing, the system transitions to a state where partial provisioning occurs and notifies the customer to provide remaining parameters, thereby optimizing both speed and accuracy at different stages.
3Productivity
If automated provisioning is implemented, then provisioning speed is improved, but handling of incomplete parameter sets becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically notifying customers about missing parameters and guiding them to provide the necessary information. This automated self-service approach maintains high provisioning speed while managing complexity through structured customer interaction, eliminating the need for complex manual intervention processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that automatically inform customers which parameters are missing and what information needs to be provided. This structured feedback loop simplifies the handling of incomplete parameter sets by guiding customers through the exact information needed, reducing system complexity while maintaining automated provisioning speed.
4Loss of time
If incremental provisioning is allowed, then customer access time is reduced, but provisioning process management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The provisioning process is divided into distinct segments: initial automated provisioning segment that provides immediate access, and completion segment that handles remaining parameters. This segmentation reduces customer access time for critical modules while managing complexity through clear separation of provisioning phases with defined transition points.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of provisioning cloud-based software may include receiving provisioning information for provisioning a cloud-based software package, and determining modules that are part of the software package. The method may also include identifying a subset of the plurality of modules requiring parameters for provisioning that are included in the provisioning information, and provisioning the first set of modules using at least some of the parameters. The method may additionally include identifying a subset of modules requiring parameters that are not included in the provisioning information, and providing a self-service application configured to receive, at a later time, the parameters that are not included in the provisioning information and provision the second set of modules.