Distributed Business Process Simulation via Segmented Client Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network simulation tools fail to accurately simulate ripple effects caused by indirect relationships between business entities and do not allow for the simulation of overall business processes, as they do not expose internal details of business models, especially in highly regulated industries.
Innovation Solution
A secure distributed business process simulation system where each business entity models itself on a local client device, and a simulation server connects these models without exposing internal details, allowing participants to exercise different fault scenarios and response strategies while propagating disruptions and decisions across affected participants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If network simulation tools are used to simulate business processes, then visualization of network devices and connections is improved, but accuracy in simulating ripple effects from indirect relationships deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The business process is divided into separate business entities, each modeled locally on its own client device. This segmentation allows each entity to maintain its own detailed model while participating in a larger simulation, enabling accurate ripple effect propagation without requiring complete transparency of all entities.
Solution Approach 2:
A simulation server acts as an intermediary that connects the separate client-based simulations into one large simulation. The server propagates disruptions and decisions between entities without exposing internal details, enabling accurate ripple effect simulation while maintaining security and confidentiality.
2Measurement precision
If internal details of business models are exposed to enable accurate simulation, then simulation accuracy is improved, but confidentiality and security of business systems deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Each business entity maintains its own detailed model locally on its client device, segmenting the simulation into independent parts. This allows accurate simulation of each entity's internal processes without exposing those details to other entities or the simulation server.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates virtual copies of business processes as simulations that can be executed without exposing the actual internal details. The simulation server works with these copies to propagate disruptions while maintaining the confidentiality of the original business systems.
3Ease of operation
If network simulation tools are used, then visualization of direct relationships is improved, but ability to simulate overall business processes including people processes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The simulation system is designed to handle multiple types of relationships and processes universally. It can simulate direct network relationships, indirect ripple effects, and even people processes such as manual switching between call centers, making it adaptable to various business process scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic modeling where business processes can adapt to disruptions in real-time. Entities can respond to simulated disruptions by switching between processes or locations, enabling simulation of complex adaptive behaviors including manual intervention and process reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for simulating a distributed business process are disclosed. The methods and apparatus simulate an interdependent business process, such as a financial transaction system, in a secure distributed manner. Each business entity that is part of the interdependent business process models itself on a local client device at any chosen level of detail. A simulation server connects the separate client based simulations into one large simulation. Details of each local simulation may be hidden from other simulation participants. However, interruptions in business flow caused by simulated disruptions introduced at the simulation server and/or a client device are propagated to all of the effected simulation participants via the simulation server. In addition, if a client based model is not available, the server supplies a software agent to replace the inputs and outputs normally associated with that portion of the overall simulation.