Automated ERP Code Upgrade via Meta-Model Transformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ERP systems face challenges in upgrading customized code due to incompatibility issues between old and new versions, requiring time-consuming and expensive rewriting processes, especially with proprietary systems like SAP, where standard upgrade utilities do not support custom code.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for analyzing changes in customized ERP code using automated tools to create a meta-model, applying transformation rules to convert the code into a compatible format for new versions, allowing for automatic, semi-automatic, or manual upgrades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated transformation tools are used to upgrade customized ERP code, then upgrading efficiency and compatibility are improved, but system complexity increases due to the need for meta-model creation and transformation rule implementation
Solution Approach 1:
The upgrade process is segmented into distinct phases: code analysis, meta-model creation, transformation rule application, and code generation. This segmentation allows each component to be developed and maintained independently, managing overall system complexity while enabling automated high-efficiency upgrading.
Solution Approach 2:
A meta-model is introduced as an intermediary representation between the original ERP code and the transformed code. This meta-model serves as an intermediate layer that captures the semantic structure of the code, enabling automated transformation while isolating the complexity of transformation rules from the upgrade process.
2Reliability
If manual rewriting of customized code is performed, then code compatibility with new ERP versions is achieved, but time consumption and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing the customized code, creating appropriate meta-models, applying transformation rules, and generating upgraded code without requiring manual intervention. This automated self-service process ensures code compatibility while dramatically reducing time consumption compared to manual rewriting.
Solution Approach 2:
The transformation process changes key parameters of the code by applying predefined transformation rules that modify the meta-model based on the target ERP version requirements. These parameter changes ensure compatibility with new versions while maintaining the original code's functional intent.
3Stability of the object's composition
If proprietary ERP systems with standard upgrade utilities are used, then system stability is maintained, but support for customized code transformation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The transformation system is designed with universal capabilities that can handle multiple ERP system types and various customization scenarios. By creating a generic meta-model framework and configurable transformation rules, the system maintains stability across different target systems while adapting to support diverse customized code transformations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application is directed towards systems and methods for analyzing and transforming changes in customized code of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) application from a previous instance of transformation of the customized code of the ERP application. Customized functions, objects, databases, and code of the application may be analyzed to identify changes in application code from a previous instance of the application code. Changed code may be further analyzed to determine which portions violate a predetermined set of coding rules of the application. Portions that violate the predetermined set of coding rules may be enumerated by one of developer, time, or type of object. Transformation rules may be applied to the code that violates the predetermined coding rules to generate a transformed instance of the application that is in conformance with the coding rules.