Data Warehouse Integration Layer for Disparate Systems

Solution Overview

Problem

Current data warehouse systems are overly complex and require costly customization to integrate disparate tools, leading to inefficient data management and user experience, as end users need to interact with multiple tools and are often required to be trained for each tool, especially when tools change or new ones are added.

Innovation Solution

A data warehouse system that integrates different software tools through a tool integration and services interface, combining data sets using a common data model and providing a unified view to end users, reducing data duplication and supporting various user roles with a consolidated data source architecture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different tools are used to access data sources for different end users, then the data warehouse can satisfy individual requirements for different user roles, but the system complexity increases and users need to be trained on each tool

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAbility to serve different user rolesVSAvoidNumber of tools in the system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal tool interface that serves multiple user roles (data engineers, data analysts, business users) through a single unified interface. This interface provides role-based access control and customized views while maintaining a consistent interaction model, eliminating the need for separate tools for different user types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer (tool interface) that sits between the diverse data sources and end users. This intermediary abstracts the complexity of different data sources and tools, providing a unified access point that adapts to different user roles without requiring users to learn multiple tool interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If vendor tools are customized to provide end-to-end view, then the data warehouse can connect multiple disparate systems, but the customization costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEnd-to-end data connectivityVSAvoidCustomization cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal tool interface that serves multiple user roles (data engineers, data analysts, business users) through a single unified interface. This interface provides role-based access control and customized views while maintaining a consistent interaction model, eliminating the need for separate tools for different user types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes configuration parameters and metadata to adapt the unified interface to different user roles and data sources without requiring custom development. By changing parameters such as access permissions, data views, and interaction modes, the system serves diverse requirements through a single standardized interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If analytical tool set is expanded to satisfy individual requirements, then different user roles can access needed data, but the toolset becomes crowded and overly complex

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveMeeting individual user requirementsVSAvoidAnalytical toolset complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the user interface into role-specific views and functionalities within a unified tool framework. Each user role (data engineer, analyst, business user) sees customized elements appropriate to their needs, while the underlying system remains a single integrated tool rather than multiple separate tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal tool interface that serves multiple user roles (data engineers, data analysts, business users) through a single unified interface. This interface provides role-based access control and customized views while maintaining a consistent interaction model, eliminating the need for separate tools for different user types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8321438B1Integration layer for a data repository

Publication Date: 2012.11.27 BANK OF AMERICA CORP

AI summary

Techniques for a data repository, e.g., a data warehouse, connect multiple disparate systems and combine different software tools to provide a full view of the data warehouse for an end user. An inventory tool integration and services interface includes a tool integration component, a common data component, and an inventory services component. The tool integration component obtains data sets from different tools. The common data component converts each data set and combines the converted data sets. The inventory services component provides the combined data sets through a user interface for an end user. The inventory tool integration and services interface appropriately combines data sets and supports different user interfaces for different end users having different roles within an enterprise. The tool and services integration interface also may obtain a data set from a tool in accordance with an integration option.