Conversation Manager for Inter-Enterprise Document Exchange Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inter-enterprise conversation process standards, such as ebXML BPSS, WSCI, and WSCL, do not specify how local business processes couple their internal and external processes, leading to challenges in coordinating external conversation processes with internal workflows in enterprises.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a Conversation Manager (CM) and a Process Manager (PM) that enforces choreography of document exchange and local process management, respectively, with the CM handling inter-enterprise interactions based on an ICP model and PM managing local processes, using a BPSS collaborator to verify and manage conversation activities and tasks, and employing asynchronous task activation to synchronize conversation and business processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ICP standards provide abstract interface for document exchange, then interoperability between enterprises is improved, but coupling between external conversation processes and internal workflows becomes unclear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Conversation Manager as an intermediary component that mediates between the external ICP conversation process and the internal business workflow. The Conversation Manager receives conversation activities from the ICP, translates them into executable tasks for the workflow engine, and manages the coupling between these previously disconnected layers, thereby resolving the ambiguity in coupling while preserving interoperability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the system into distinct functional components: the Conversation Manager handles external conversation process management, the Workflow Engine manages internal business processes, and a Task Activation Data Structure serves as the coupling interface. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently while maintaining clear interaction boundaries, resolving the coupling complexity issue
2Adaptability or versatility
If local business processes independently manage internal workflows, then process autonomy is improved, but coordination with external conversation processes becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the Conversation Manager monitors conversation activity status and provides feedback to the Workflow Engine through the Task Activation Data Structure. This allows independent business processes to receive real-time information about external conversation progress, enabling them to coordinate their internal workflows accordingly while maintaining their autonomy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic task activation where the Workflow Engine continuously monitors the Task Activation Data Structure for new conversation activities and dynamically activates appropriate internal tasks. This dynamic coupling allows processes to adapt their execution based on external conversation state without requiring rigid pre-coordination, improving both autonomy and coordination ease
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to devices and methods that coordinate an external conversation process between entities with an internal workflow of one of the entities. More particularly, it relates to devices and methods that are compliant with an inter-enterprise conversation process standard for routing electronic commerce documents between enterprises. Particular aspects of the present invention are described in the claims, specification and drawings.