On-Demand Database Service External Content Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accessing and interacting with content stored in external data sources is challenging within on-demand database services due to fragmented data across multiple repositories, limited access tools, and differing security models among service providers, making it difficult for users to share, collaborate, and integrate external content within online social networks and business applications.
Innovation Solution
Implementing middleware components that facilitate access to external content management data sources through repository-specific connectors and abstraction layers, allowing the creation of persistent objects within the on-demand database service to represent and interact with external content objects, enabling seamless access, sharing, and integration without moving or replicating the content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If content is stored across multiple external data repositories, then data storage capacity and source diversity are improved, but data access difficulty and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an on-demand database service as an intermediary layer between users and multiple external data repositories. This service provides unified access mechanisms, abstraction layers, and standardized interfaces that simplify data access across diverse sources while maintaining the benefits of distributed storage. The intermediary manages the complexity of connecting to multiple repositories internally while presenting a simplified interface to users.
Solution Approach 2:
The on-demand database service implements universal access mechanisms that can connect to and retrieve data from various types of external data repositories (cloud storage services, enterprise content management systems, third-party APIs). The service provides multi-functional capabilities including data retrieval, transformation, integration, and presentation through a single unified interface, eliminating the need for separate access mechanisms for each data source.
2Ease of operation
If access tools are limited, then system simplicity is maintained, but content sharing and collaboration capabilities are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple access tools and functionality into a single on-demand database service interface. Users can perform various operations (retrieve, share, collaborate, search) through unified access mechanisms rather than requiring separate tools for each function. This consolidation improves ease of operation by providing a consistent interface while the service handles the complexity of interacting with multiple external systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If external content is accessed without integration mechanisms, then system integrity is maintained, but user collaboration and content utilization are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The on-demand database service creates virtual representations or copies of external content objects within its database structure. These copies allow users to interact with, share, and collaborate on content as if it were natively integrated, while the service maintains connections to the original external sources. This approach enables full collaboration capabilities while preserving the integrity and authenticity of the original external content through proper referencing and synchronization.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
Disclosed are methods, apparatus, systems, and computer readable storage media for establishing access with a content object stored in a content management data source from an on-demand database service A request can be received from a user of the on-demand database service to access data regarding a content object stored in an external content management data source. The content management data source can be identified based on the request, and the request can be provided to a repository-specific connector communicatively coupled to the external content management data source. Access can be established with the content object to retrieve the requested data, and a virtual object associated with the on-demand database service can be created to instantiate connection between the content object and the on-demand database service. The requested data can be provided to a display device in a user interface for the on-demand database service.