Deduction Engine for Dynamic ERP Configuration Questioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring large software systems, such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, is complex and often results in conflicting configuration settings, leading to significant time, cost, and performance issues due to the involvement of multiple highly trained individuals with unclear roles.
Innovation Solution
A deduction engine is introduced to provide a dynamic question set that aids in configuring these systems by determining relevant questions based on user responses, reducing the need for highly trained personnel and preventing conflicting settings through concurrent evaluation and notification of potential conflicts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple highly trained individuals configure the system simultaneously, then configuration expertise is available, but conflicting configuration settings occur and system integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a deduction engine as an intermediary system that mediates between multiple configuration personnel and the ERP system. This engine automatically deduces configuration settings based on user inputs and business requirements, preventing direct conflicting modifications by multiple individuals. The intermediary layer ensures that configuration changes are coordinated and consistent, maintaining system integrity while still leveraging multiple perspectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The deduction engine enables configuration personnel to independently determine appropriate configuration settings through automated deduction based on their business domain knowledge. Each user can input business requirements and receive automatically deduced configuration recommendations without needing deep technical ERP expertise or coordinating extensively with others, thus preventing conflicts while maintaining configuration quality.
2Loss of information
If a comprehensive set of configuration questions is asked to all users, then complete configuration information is gathered, but configuration time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic question generation mechanism where the deduction engine adapts the configuration questionnaire based on previous user inputs and responses. As users answer questions, the system dynamically adjusts which subsequent questions are presented, eliminating redundant questions and focusing only on relevant configuration aspects. This dynamic adaptation maintains information completeness while significantly reducing the total number of questions users must answer.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration process is segmented into multiple stages, with the deduction engine dividing the comprehensive configuration questionnaire into smaller, context-dependent modules. Users only encounter configuration questions relevant to their specific role, business unit, and previously provided answers, rather than facing a single comprehensive questionnaire. This segmentation reduces the perceived burden while ensuring all necessary configuration information is eventually gathered.
3Productivity
If configuration settings are determined without automated deduction, then all possible questions can be asked, but configuration complexity and personnel training requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of configuration experts systematically determining all configuration settings with an automated deduction engine that uses computational algorithms to infer configuration settings. The engine substitutes human cognitive processes with automated reasoning, reducing the need for highly trained personnel while managing system complexity through structured deduction rules and business logic models.
Data Source
AI summary
The present subject matter relates to configuring computer systems and, more particularly, to a computer system configuration deduction engine. Various systems, methods, and software are described. Some embodiments include determining a scoping question to ask as a function of a response to one or more other scoping questions, wherein possible responses to one or more scoping questions are associated with one or more application configuration packages. Some such embodiments further include selecting one or more application configuration packages for deployment as a function of one or more received scoping question responses.