Logical Business Object Broker for Multi-Source Data Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) systems and workflow automation tools fail to enable non-technical users to access and manage data from multiple sources as logical business objects, requiring significant technical skills for customization and maintenance, and lack tools for dynamic form construction and process automation.
Innovation Solution
A system using EAI sources with a runtime broker and adapter services allows technical and non-technical users to create and modify logical business objects and forms dynamically, combining data from various sources into a single object definition, enabling on-demand customization and automation of business processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing EAI systems and workflow automation tools are used, then data integration between systems is achieved, but non-technical users cannot access and manage data as logical business objects without significant technical skills
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a workflow automation system that acts as an intermediary layer between users and multiple data sources. This system provides a unified interface that automatically retrieves and integrates data from various sources (ERP, CRM, custom systems) without requiring users to understand the underlying technical complexity. The system translates user requests into appropriate data source queries and presents integrated results as logical business objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The workflow automation system is designed to work with multiple different data sources and systems simultaneously through a single unified interface. It provides universal access to data from ERP systems, CRM systems, custom-developed systems, and other sources, allowing non-technical users to access diverse data sources through consistent business object definitions without needing to know which specific system each data source comes from.
2Ease of operation
If custom developed solutions are created to make data accessible, then data access is improved, but significant technical and development skills are required for maintenance and changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables non-technical users to perform self-service customization by defining their own business objects and specifying which data sources they want to integrate. Users can independently configure data source connections, define business object structures, and customize data retrieval logic without requiring developer involvement. The system automatically handles the technical implementation of these user-defined configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides dynamic configurability where business object definitions and data source mappings can be changed at runtime without requiring system reconfiguration or developer intervention. Users can add, remove, or modify data sources and business object definitions dynamically, and the system automatically adapts to these changes, maintaining flexibility and ease of maintenance.
3Loss of information
If multiple data sources are integrated, then information availability increases, but the ability to present a single logical business object definition across sources becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the complex task of integrating multiple data sources by creating separate business object definitions for each data source while providing a unified view through the workflow automation layer. Each data source (ERP, CRM, custom systems) is treated as a separate segment with its own business object definition, but the system automatically orchestrates these segments to present a unified logical business object to the user, managing complexity through modular segmentation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If static business forms are used, then system stability is maintained, but user ability to add additional information on-demand is extremely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms static business forms into dynamic, user-configurable structures. Non-technical users can dynamically add, remove, and modify fields and data sources in their business objects at runtime. The system maintains stability through its structured workflow automation framework while enabling adaptability through user-defined business object configurations that can evolve without system changes.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed system empowers technical and non technical users to author logical business objects, author intelligent business forms, and create automated workflows. The logical business objects include data definitions and methods from existing and new data sources. An object broker interprets the business object definition and brokers data/information and method calls to the data sources. The intelligent business forms are created by an information worker in a rich web-based tooling environment. Each form is intelligent enough to recognize other forms that it might co-exist with on a single page, as well as how to react based on events that occur on these related forms. The automated workflow tools include process discovery features that assist users during the process identification phase. The tools assist both technical and non technical users to identify processes within the organization, including supporting solution artifacts such as forms, rules, actions, outcomes and business objects involved. Process modeling features include the ability to combine defined artifacts into a process model that can be published into a runtime environment where it can be executed and used by business users in the organization.