Envelope-Based Data Migration Validation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for migrating data processing systems from one software platform to another are risky and often result in system downtime and data inaccuracies, particularly in revenue accounting systems, due to the lack of validation and continuity during the migration process.

Innovation Solution

A data processing system with a migration manager that enables phased data migration by receiving input data from both legacy and replacement platforms, generating and comparing envelopes to validate data integrity, and performing on-the-fly data cleansing and reporting, allowing for dual-run operation and selective envelope management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional system migration methods are used, then migration can be performed, but system downtime and data inaccuracies occur due to lack of validation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidsystem downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by capturing images of documents at the time of migration from the legacy system to the replacement system. These captured images serve as reference points for later validation, allowing the system to compare migrated data against the actual document state at migration time, thereby preventing data inaccuracies before they affect operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through automated validation processes that compare migrated data with captured document images and legacy system records. This feedback loop enables continuous monitoring of data accuracy during and after migration, allowing immediate detection and correction of discrepancies without system downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If validation of migrated data is performed after cutover, then data accuracy can be checked, but system operations are disrupted and validation takes significant time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalidation accuracyVSAvoidmigration speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs validation preparation in advance by capturing document images at migration time and establishing validation rules before the actual cutover event. This preliminary preparation enables rapid validation immediately after migration without disrupting operations or requiring significant post-migration time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuity of useful action by enabling parallel operation of both legacy and replacement systems during migration. Validation processes continue simultaneously with business operations, ensuring that validation accuracy is maintained while system productivity is not interrupted. The system can validate migrated data in real-time without stopping business processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If follow-up audits are conducted to compare migrated and legacy data, then data integrity can be verified, but migration completion is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoidmigration duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by capturing document images and establishing validation baselines before migration completion. These pre-captured references enable immediate integrity verification without requiring extended follow-up periods, as the validation framework is already in place and ready for post-migration verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates copies of document images at the time of migration from the legacy system. These image copies serve as immutable references that can be compared against migrated data records, enabling rapid integrity verification without requiring access to or review of the entire legacy system history, thus reducing migration duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Reliability

If selective envelope management is implemented, then data validation can be performed during migration, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata validation capabilityVSAvoidenvelope management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the validation process into distinct phases: pre-migration image capture, during-migration validation, and post-migration verification. Each phase operates on specific envelope types (captured envelopes, migrated envelopes, validated envelopes), allowing the complex validation capability to be managed through structured segmentation rather than monolithic complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3220344B1Data processing system migration using selective management of envelopes capturing images of documents
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 AMADEUS SAS
  • EP3220344B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3220344B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3220344B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and computer program products for migrating a system from a legacy platform to a replacement platform. Input data is provided to the legacy and replacement platforms during a dual-run phase of migration, and documents in a legacy database and a replacement database updated independently based thereon. In response to a document in the replacement database being updated, an image of the document is captured in an envelope to maintain a history of the document. During the dual-run phase, documents may be migrated from the legacy database to the replacement database, and captured as images in envelopes in the replacement database. Images of migrated documents may be compared to images of native documents to validate the replacement platform. Migrated documents may be cleansed, and native documents may be filtered or merged with migrated documents based on the comparison. Migrated or native documents may then be selected as master documents.