Composite Application Framework for Context-Specific Service Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integration platforms for composite applications, such as the SAP Enterprise Portal, face challenges in adapting generic services to various business objects, as these services are not directly applicable and require customization, failing to adapt to the specific collaboration intent and naming conventions of different business contexts.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented framework for composite applications that includes an object access layer, a business object modeling layer with a collaboration services module, and a service layer, enabling the derivation of object-specific services from generic collaboration services based on modeled contexts, allowing for customization and adaptation to specific business objects and intents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If generic collaboration services are used for multiple business objects, then service reusability is improved, but adaptability to specific business contexts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing generic collaboration services to be customized with business-specific properties, naming conventions, and context-specific behaviors. Each business object can have tailored service instances that inherit from generic services while adding local adaptations for specific business contexts, workflows, and semantics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the collaboration service framework to adapt its behavior based on the specific business object and context. The system dynamically configures service parameters, naming, and functionality according to the business context, allowing the same generic service to behave differently for different business objects while maintaining a unified underlying structure.
2Device complexity
If generic collaboration services are used across different business objects, then system complexity is reduced, but customization requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the collaboration service functionality into hierarchical layers: generic base services providing core functionality, and business-specific extensions adding customization. This segmentation allows the system to maintain a simple generic core while enabling targeted customization through modular additions for specific business objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a framework where a single generic collaboration service infrastructure can serve multiple business objects with different requirements. The universal service layer provides common functionality that can be configured and adapted for various business contexts without requiring separate implementations for each business object.
3Adaptability or versatility
If collaboration services are directly linked to business objects, then service applicability is improved, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring generic collaboration services with standard functionality and interfaces before they are linked to business objects. The framework prepares service templates, naming conventions, and contextual configurations in advance, so that when services are linked to specific business objects, the implementation is streamlined rather than requiring complex customization from scratch.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for a framework for composite applications. A computer-implemented framework for a composite application includes an object access layer to exchange data with enterprise base systems and to present the data to a composite application through a uniform interface, a business object modeling layer including a business object modeler to provide a user interface (UI) for constructing a business object, and a service layer to enable services to the composite application, the service layer including a collaboration services module to enable collaboration services to the composite application, the business object modeling layer linking at least one of the collaboration services associated with the business object to the business object.