Dynamic Navigation Link Generation in ERP User Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Customization of user interface navigation targets in ERP software architectures is cumbersome and costly, especially for smaller organizations lacking the necessary IT resources and budget, as it requires hard-coding and ongoing maintenance, which is inefficient and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic method for generating navigation links in a user interface based on user authorization, work center views, and business data, using a navigation repository to retrieve and process template strings, creating a customizable and flexible user interface without the need for hard-coding, applicable in multi-tenant software architectures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hard-coded user interface navigation targets are used, then customization for specific users and organizations is achieved, but device complexity and maintenance cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic navigation targets that are determined at runtime based on user characteristics, organizational context, and business data rather than being hard-coded. The system dynamically generates navigation links by querying a data repository and processing template strings, allowing the user interface to adapt automatically without requiring manual customization for each user or organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service customization where the navigation interface automatically determines appropriate targets based on user profiles and organizational data stored in the repository. The runtime processing engine autonomously generates customized navigation links without requiring external intervention from IT staff or consultants, allowing users to receive personalized interfaces automatically.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standalone ERP software with customized user interfaces is deployed, then sophisticated customization is achieved, but implementation cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-stores user profiles, organizational data, and navigation templates in a centralized data repository during system setup. This preliminary action enables the runtime processing engine to quickly generate customized navigation interfaces by retrieving and processing pre-configured data, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-site customization during deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a universal template-based approach where a single navigation template can serve multiple users and organizations by dynamically substituting parameters based on retrieved data. This multi-functional template system eliminates the need for separate hard-coded navigation interfaces for each user, reducing both development time and maintenance burden.
3Ease of manufacture
If SaaS-based ERP is used, then deployment cost is reduced, but user interface customization capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new dimension of customization by introducing runtime processing that operates between the fixed SaaS platform and the user interface. Instead of customizing at the code level (traditional dimension), the system customizes at the runtime data processing level, allowing flexible navigation generation within the constraints of a standardized SaaS deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a runtime processing engine as an intermediary layer between the standardized SaaS ERP platform and the user. This intermediary dynamically processes navigation requests by retrieving user-specific data from the repository and generating customized navigation links, thereby enabling flexibility within the SaaS model without requiring platform modification.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of registrations corresponding to a user interface component can be stored. Based on at least one of a layer of a software architecture to which a specific user of a user interface has authorized access, an assignment of a work center view to the user, and business data, it can be determined that the user interface presented to the user should include a navigation target to the user interface component. At run time, a navigation link to the user interface component can be dynamically generated according to a relevant registration selected from the plurality of registrations. The user interface incorporating the navigation link to the user interface component can be displayed. Related systems, articles of manufacture, and computer-implemented methods are described.