Foundation Layer for Enterprise Services Architecture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large and complex enterprise software systems require a scalable and cost-effective architecture that can be deployed across multiple hardware platforms, with effective reuse of software components and efficient interaction between distributed components.

Innovation Solution

A services architecture design with a foundation layer that includes service operations, data objects, process components, and business objects, allowing for replication and synchronization across distinct hardware platforms, utilizing deployment units and service interfaces for scalable and reliable implementation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If enterprise software systems are deployed across multiple hardware platforms to improve scalability and reliability, then the system can handle larger workloads and maintain higher availability, but the architecture complexity and difficulty of component interaction increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovescalabilityVSAvoidarchitecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the enterprise software system into distinct deployment units, each containing specific process components that can be independently deployed on separate hardware platforms. This segmentation allows the system to scale across multiple platforms while managing complexity through modular organization, where each deployment unit operates semi-independently with well-defined interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If software components are reused across multiple deployment units to reduce development costs, then development efficiency improves, but ensuring consistent interaction and synchronization between components becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevelopment efficiencyVSAvoidcomponent interaction reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates process components with universal service interfaces that can be reused across multiple deployment units. These components are designed with standardized interaction protocols and well-defined contracts, allowing them to function reliably in different contexts while maintaining consistent behavior. The universal design enables cost-effective reuse while reliability is ensured through standardized interfaces and synchronization mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system uses standardized service interfaces for component interaction to improve ease of integration, then new components can be added more easily, but the overhead of interface management and synchronization increases system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration easeVSAvoidinterface management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces service interfaces as intermediary layers between process components in different deployment units. These standardized interfaces act as mediators that simplify integration by providing consistent communication protocols, while the underlying complexity of cross-platform synchronization and coordination is managed through the interface layer, shielding component developers from the complexity of distributed system management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8438119B2Foundation layer for services based enterprise software architecture
Publication Date: 2013.05.07 SAP SE
  • US8438119B2 patent drawing
  • US8438119B2 patent drawing
  • US8438119B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods and apparatus, including systems and computer program products, for a services architecture design that provides enterprise services having foundation layer functionality at the level of an enterprise application. The design includes a set of service operations, process components, and optionally deployment units. Suitable business objects are also described.