Metadata-Driven File Reclassification for Dynamic Enterprise Structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current file management tools in knowledge repositories do not efficiently adapt to changing enterprise structures, such as reorganization or mergers, requiring manual reclassification and access adjustments, which is time-consuming and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A method that utilizes metadata to associate files with generic attributes and specific attributes, allowing for automated reclassification and access management within a file repository, enabling files to be aligned with changing enterprise structures without manual directory changes and ensuring correct access permissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual reclassification and moving of files is performed to realign with new enterprise structure, then files can be reorganized according to reorganization or merger, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to enterprise structure changesVSAvoidtime for manual reclassification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically identifying files that need to be moved based on the new enterprise structure, pre-calculating the reclassification paths, and executing the moves without requiring manual intervention during the actual reorganization event

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The file management system serves itself by automatically detecting changes in enterprise structure, identifying affected files, and reclassifying them without external human intervention, making the system self-sufficient in adapting to organizational changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual examination and reclassification of each file is performed, then files can be accurately realigned with new enterprise structure, but the process requires significant human resources and is prone to errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of file reclassificationVSAvoidcomplexity of manual reclassification process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual process of examining and reclassifying files with an automated computer-based system that uses algorithms to identify files matching the new enterprise structure, eliminating human labor while maintaining or improving accuracy through consistent rule-based classification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary automated classification mechanism that acts as a bridge between the new enterprise structure definition and the actual file reclassification, using intermediate steps of structure analysis, file identification, and automated moving to simplify the overall process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If files are manually moved to new locations in the repository, then files can be reorganized according to new enterprise structure, but access permissions must be manually adjusted for different employee groups

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to realign with new enterprise structureVSAvoidease of access permission management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the file moving operation with access permission adjustment into a single automated process, where the system simultaneously relocates files and updates their access permissions based on the new enterprise structure, eliminating the need for separate manual permission management steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7496605B2Managing files using metadata

Publication Date: 2009.02.24 SAP SE

AI summary

There are methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for receiving input, from a user, specifying a file to be uploaded to a file repository against a generic attribute, the generic attribute being associated with a location in the file repository and one or more default specific attributes; adding metadata to the specified file, the added metadata comprising the one or more default specific attributes; and storing the specified file with the added metadata at the location in the file repository associated with the generic attribute.