Hierarchical Process Controller Upward Callability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of enterprise-level software applications, particularly in transitioning from on-premise to cloud-based solutions, poses challenges in code translation and process management, leading to difficulties in creating or modifying software processes and duplication of work.

Innovation Solution

The development of a process controller representation of a business process model that allows for the generation of services, strategies, and methods, enabling the calling of higher-level process controller elements and facilitating the reuse of process controller elements across different computing systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If enterprise software transitions from on-premise to cloud-based solutions, then process performance and flexibility are improved, but code translation and process migration become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess flexibilityVSAvoidcode translation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a process model representation that copies and abstracts the essential structure and logic of business processes into a standardized format. This representation can be instantiated across different computing systems (on-premise or cloud) without requiring complex code translation, as the process model serves as a portable blueprint that can be executed in various environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The process model representation is designed to be universal and system-agnostic, capable of being executed on different computing systems including both on-premise and cloud-based platforms. The standardized representation format allows the same process model to serve multiple functions across diverse infrastructure environments without requiring system-specific adaptations.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If new software processes are created or existing processes are modified, then business process adaptability is improved, but development time and effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess adaptabilityVSAvoidprocess development time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes a predefined process model representation framework that contains standardized structures, patterns, and building blocks for common business processes. This preliminary preparation allows developers to quickly assemble and modify processes by reusing existing templates and components rather than creating everything from scratch, significantly reducing development time while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The process model representation employs a hierarchical structure where processes are composed of nested subprocesses and reusable components. This nesting allows complex business processes to be built by combining simpler, pre-defined process fragments, enabling efficient process creation and modification through composition rather than full-scale development.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Productivity

If process models are created without upward callability, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but process reuse and integration across systems are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess reuse efficiencyVSAvoidprocess model structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The process model representation acts as an intermediary layer between different computing systems and process implementations. The standardized representation format serves as a common language that enables processes to call and integrate with services and strategies across system boundaries, facilitating reuse and integration without requiring direct system-specific implementations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces upward callability as a new dimension in the process model structure, allowing processes to invoke services and strategies at higher levels of the hierarchy. This dimensional addition enables cross-system integration and reuse without fundamentally complicating the core process model, as the upward calling capability operates as an optional extension rather than a mandatory structural element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20250182034A1Hierarchical process model representation with upward callability
Publication Date: 2025.06.05 SAP SE
  • US20250182034A1 patent drawing
  • US20250182034A1 patent drawing
  • US20250182034A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Techniques and solutions are provided for defining and executing a process controller representation of a business process model. The business process model has a plurality of objects arranged in a hierarchy. Objects at multiple levels of the hierarchy are used to generate one or more of a service, a strategy, or a method of a process controller representation. A method of the process controller representation calls another process controller service or another process controller strategy. The business process model can be associated with multiple process controller representations, which can be associated with multiple, different computing systems.