Incremental Software Platform Upgrade via Parallel Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Businesses hesitate to upgrade their application platforms due to the risk of customer-programmed add-ons ceasing to function correctly during the migration process, even when new functionality is desirable.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an incremental upgrade approach where the new release application platform is installed and executed in parallel with the old one, allowing selective and prioritized upgrades of deployment units, with master data synchronization and add-on migration to ensure seamless functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a new release application platform is installed and executed, then new functionalities and deployment units are provided, but customer-programmed add-ons may cease executing correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The application platform is divided into separate deployment units that can be upgraded independently. Each deployment unit can be migrated to the new platform separately, allowing selective upgrading while maintaining compatibility with customer add-ons that remain on the old platform.
Solution Approach 2:
A migration deployment unit is introduced beforehand to facilitate the transition. This unit performs data synchronization and coordination between old and new deployment units, ensuring add-ons continue to function during the upgrade process.
2Productivity
If all deployment units are upgraded to the new application platform, then new functionalities are fully utilized, but customer-programmed add-ons require migration which increases complexity and risk
Solution Approach 1:
The upgrade process is segmented into independent deployment unit migrations. Businesses can prioritize and schedule upgrades for different deployment units separately, reducing the overall complexity and risk of a complete platform migration.
Solution Approach 2:
Businesses can perform partial upgrades by selecting only certain deployment units to migrate at a time. This allows incremental adoption of new functionality without requiring complete platform migration, reducing complexity and risk.
3Reliability
If incremental upgrade approach is implemented with parallel execution, then add-on functionality is maintained, but system complexity increases due to running multiple platforms
Solution Approach 1:
A migration deployment unit is established in advance to manage data synchronization and coordination between parallel platforms. This intermediary unit handles the complexity of maintaining both old and new deployment units, reducing the management burden on the business.
Solution Approach 2:
The migration deployment unit acts as an intermediary between old and new deployment units, managing data flow and synchronization. This mediator handles the complexity of parallel platform operation, allowing seamless transition while maintaining add-on functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system provide a business scenario. The method includes executing a first deployment unit on a first application platform. The method includes replacing an original second deployment with an upgraded second deployment unit on an upgraded second application platform. The method includes executing the upgraded second deployment unit. The method including transmitting messages related to the business scenario over a communications link between the first deployment unit and the upgraded second deployment unit. The method includes storing master data related to the business scenario in a data storage.