ERP Module Isolation Through Dependency-Aware Container Provisioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Provisioning containerized modules within an enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems is challenging due to complex manual configuration processes, resource inefficiencies, security risks, and scalability issues, which hinder performance, agility, and compliance with data protection regulations.

Innovation Solution

Implementing containerization and machine learning techniques to create isolated environments for developers, using graph-based and isolation forest models to predict dependencies and verify module integrity, along with modernization recommendations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual configuration processes are used for provisioning ERP modules, then developers can work on module development, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodule provisioning processVSAvoidprovisioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service provisioning through automated container generation. The provisioning system automatically creates isolated development environments based on module dependencies and configurations without requiring manual intervention, thereby reducing provisioning time and eliminating human errors while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring container images with necessary dependencies, security policies, and environment settings before provisioning. This advance preparation eliminates time-consuming manual configuration steps while ensuring that modules are ready for immediate development work

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If more ERP modules are added to the system, then functionality increases, but complexity and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveERP system functionalityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the ERP system into independent containerized modules, each with its own isolated environment. This segmentation allows functionality to be added by introducing new modules without increasing overall system complexity, as each module is self-contained with predefined dependencies and configurations managed by the provisioning system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If more ERP modules are added to the system, then functionality increases, but resource allocation becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveERP system functionalityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The provisioning system implements universal resource management that dynamically allocates and shares computational resources across multiple ERP modules. Base container images and common dependencies are shared among modules, enabling the system to scale functionality while maintaining efficient resource utilization through intelligent resource pooling and allocation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If traditional provisioning methods are used, then modules can be deployed, but security risks increase due to inadequate isolation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodule deployment capabilityVSAvoidsecurity and data protection

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements security through segmentation by creating isolated container environments for each ERP module with enforced boundaries. This segmentation ensures that modules run in separate namespaces with controlled access to resources, maintaining deployment productivity while significantly improving security and data protection through architectural isolation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

5Ease of operation

If manual provisioning processes are used, then modules can be configured, but scalability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodule configurationVSAvoidsystem scalability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables scalability through self-service automation where the provisioning system automatically generates and configures container environments based on module requirements. This eliminates manual configuration bottlenecks, allowing the system to scale to accommodate additional modules and users while maintaining ease of operation through automated processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12461722B2Isolated environments for enterprise resource planning modules

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 SAP SE

AI summary

Isolated environments for development of modules of a software system, such as an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, can be generated using a container image generated from a copy of a central development environment. A graph-based machine learning model can be trained and applied to a graph of the software system to predict dependencies between the modules of the software system. An isolation forest machine learning model can be trained and applied to a selected module to verify its integrity. The container image can be modified based on the predicted dependencies and the integrity verification, among other factors. The modified container image can be executed to generate an isolated environment for the selected module. A version management utility and a transport system can be used during subsequent development in the isolated environment to manage and register repositories and objects associated with the isolated environment.