Data Object Model Segmentation for Interoperability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data object models are inflexible and lack interoperability, failing to accommodate business process-specific requirements and leading to inefficient data exchange between organizations and systems.

Innovation Solution

An object model that combines standardized properties with non-standardized extensions, allowing for the mapping of proprietary data onto standardized properties and the use of additional attributes to enhance interoperability and flexibility in data exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If standardized object models are used to describe data objects, then interoperability between different systems is improved, but flexibility to accommodate business process-specific requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinteroperabilityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The data model is segmented into standardized properties (for interoperability) and proprietary extensions (for business-specific requirements). This allows the system to separate concerns between standard compliance and custom functionality, enabling both interoperability and flexibility simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges standardized object models with proprietary extensions into a unified data structure. The extended data objects combine standard properties with custom attributes, allowing systems to exchange standardized data while preserving organization-specific information needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If proprietary properties are used to describe business processes, then flexibility to meet specific requirements is improved, but interoperability between different organizations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidinteroperability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Standardized properties act as an intermediary layer between different proprietary systems. Data is mapped from proprietary formats through standardized properties, enabling interoperability while preserving the ability to represent organization-specific data characteristics through the extension mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If standardized data models are used, then data exchange efficiency is improved, but ability to represent organization-specific data deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata exchange efficiencyVSAvoidorganization-specific data representation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The extended data object model serves multiple functions: it maintains standardized properties for efficient universal data exchange while simultaneously supporting proprietary extensions for organization-specific requirements. This multi-functionality allows a single data structure to serve both standardization and customization needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7756870B2Handling of standarized properties and their use in data exchange

Publication Date: 2010.07.13 SAP SE

AI summary

The present invention relates to a data object model and methods and systems for mapping standardized data onto standardized properties of the object model and non-standardized data onto extensions. A reference referring to a data source may be mapped onto the extensions and the reference may be used to determine property data from the data source.