Dynamic Item Data Structures for Configurable Service Requests
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data structures based on the Bill of Materials (BOM) model are inadequate for managing complex and configurable technologies like as-a-service offerings, leading to issues such as redundant data, unnecessary overhead, and data synchronization challenges.
Innovation Solution
Implementing dynamic item data structures that utilize global identifiers to represent various item variations based on user inputs, allowing for efficient processing of requests by dynamically identifying the appropriate global identifier and encapsulating variant information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional BOM model data structures are used to manage configurable items, then data redundancy and synchronization overhead increase, but the system can still handle basic item management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a unified data structure that handles both simple and complex configurable items through a single standardized format. The item data structure with global identifiers serves multiple purposes: representing base items, representing configured variations, and enabling cross-system recognition, eliminating the need for separate data structures for different item types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by introducing global identifiers that encode configuration parameters directly into the data structure. Instead of maintaining separate data structures for different configurations, the system changes the parameter representation by embedding configuration state within the global identifier itself, allowing dynamic identification of item variations.
2Loss of time
If dynamic item data structures with global identifiers are implemented, then data operations are reduced and efficiency improves, but the initial system setup and data structure design become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the global identifier structure and parameter mappings during system setup. This preliminary configuration enables rapid data operations later, as the framework for identifying and differentiating item variations is already in place, eliminating the need for complex runtime analysis.
3Adaptability or versatility
If global identifiers representing various item variations are used, then data integration across systems is simplified, but the identifier management and mapping complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing global identifiers as a universal mediation layer between different systems and item variations. These identifiers act as intermediaries that translate between internal system representations and external item configurations, simplifying cross-system integration while managing complexity through standardized mapping rules.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, and processor-readable storage media for request processing using dynamic item data structures are provided herein. An example method includes an item data structure comprising an item identifier for a given item and a plurality of global identifiers, wherein a given one of the global identifiers is indicative of a corresponding one of a plurality of different variations of the given item based on a particular combination of values associated with the given global identifier, wherein the particular combination of values is specified for a set of parameters associated with the given item; dynamically identifying one of the global identifiers in the item data structure based at least in part on one or more user inputs indicative of a value for at least one of the parameters; and processing a request for the given item based at least in part on the identified global identifier.