Interim Business Process Data Capture During ERP Blackout
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Solution Overview
Problem
ERP systems face challenges during transition periods or temporary incapacitation, leading to data loss and integrity issues due to the inability to operate and collect business data during 'black-out' periods, which complicates the transition from old to new systems and affects business operations.
Innovation Solution
A system that captures and processes interim business process data using a mapping module to identify responsibility centers, implementation module to create data capture tools, and a data management module to store data, ensuring data integrity and continuity during ERP system downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ERP system is shut down during transition to avoid data collection costs and integrity risks, then the transition cost and data integrity risks are reduced, but business data is lost and business operations are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary data capture mechanism that operates independently from the main ERP system during blackout periods. This intermediary system captures business data using alternative methods (manual forms, spreadsheets, or standalone capture tools) and stores it temporarily, then transfers the data to the ERP system when operational. This mediator approach allows continuous data collection without compromising ERP system integrity during transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring data capture templates, forms, and collection procedures before the ERP blackout period begins. Responsibility centers are assigned capture tools and processes in advance, ensuring that data collection mechanisms are ready to operate immediately when the ERP system becomes inaccessible, thus preventing data loss during the transition.
2Reliability
If the ERP system is shut down during transition, then data collection costs and integrity risks are reduced, but business operations cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments business operations into two independent pathways: the primary ERP system for normal operations and the secondary data capture system for blackout period operations. Each responsibility center is assigned specific capture tools matched to their business processes, allowing continuous operational capability through the segmented alternative system while the main ERP system undergoes transition without affecting overall business productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates functional copies of ERP processes through alternative data capture mechanisms. Instead of requiring the actual ERP system to function during blackout periods, the patent implements simplified copying mechanisms (manual forms, electronic spreadsheets, standalone capture applications) that replicate essential business data collection functions, enabling continuous operations without the full ERP system.
3Loss of information
If data capture tools are created for each IBP, then data capture capability during blackout period is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal data capture framework where a single platform or toolset can serve multiple business processes and responsibility centers. The system provides multi-functional capture mechanisms that can adapt to different IBPs through configurable templates rather than requiring entirely separate systems, reducing overall complexity while maintaining comprehensive data capture capability across all business functions during blackout periods.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a system and method for identifying a set of ERP tasks performed by the ERP system when it is functional and for identifying a set of Interim Business Processes (IBPs) associated with ERP tasks. The method includes creating a set of IBP data capture tools Another step is assigning an IBP data capture tool to each IBP optionally using an IBP data main coordinating tool. Another step is identifying a set of responsibility centers in the business entity. Another step is providing an access link to each responsibility center to the IBP data capture tool and sending a notice to each responsibility center to begin capturing data at a predetermined time. Another step is receiving the IBP data from the IBP data capture tools optionally using the IBP data main coordinating tool, and storing the IBP data received optionally using the IBP data main coordinating tool.