Mobile ERP Server Architecture for Secure Intranet Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for accessing and using ERP systems on mobile devices through extranets and intranets require large storage capacities and involve long access times due to the need for preconfigured applications and data storage on the device, lacking the ability to initiate data generation on the host system from the mobile terminal.
Innovation Solution
A mobile ERP server system that allows access and communication via an extranet and intranet, using tunneled VPN for data exchange, where scripts for ERP logic are sent to the device for execution, with only the result transmitted back, and access authorizations and menus are stored on the server, enabling user-specific and device-specific configuration without local storage of applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If applications and data are stored on the mobile device, then access to ERP systems is enabled, but storage capacity requirements increase and security risks arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ERP applications and data from the mobile device and relocates them to the server environment. The mobile device only retains a minimal client that communicates with the server, thereby eliminating the need for large local storage capacities while maintaining full access to ERP functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the mobile device and the ERP system. The server hosts the applications and data, mediating all interactions between the user's mobile device and the ERP backend, thus allowing access without local storage of applications.
2Productivity
If applications are preconfigured on the mobile device, then ERP logic can be executed locally, but access times increase due to device configuration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary configuration of ERP applications and user-specific settings on the server before the user accesses them. When a user logs in, their pre-configured application set is immediately activated without requiring device configuration, thereby reducing access time while maintaining full ERP functionality.
3Ease of operation
If applications are stored on the mobile device, then ERP functionality is available, but security risks increase if the device is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts all sensitive ERP applications and data from the mobile device, storing them exclusively on secure servers. This eliminates the security vulnerability of having ERP functionality stored on potentially lost or stolen devices, while users retain full access through the server-connected client.
4Adaptability or versatility
If device-specific configurations are made, then applications are optimized for specific devices, but complexity of configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal server-based configuration system that automatically adapts ERP applications to different device types. Instead of requiring separate configurations for each device, the server detects the device type and provides appropriate optimized access, thereby maintaining device-specific optimization while eliminating configuration complexity for users.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement for using, in particular, ERP-applications of different clients in the form of, preferably, any particular mobile terminal, enabling data exchange with internal ERP-systems via the extranet and intranet. A user can select between different applications according to predetermined authorisations, which are not stored on the terminal, which can be initially guided according to the individual selection thereof and enables access to the internal ERP-systems. According to the invention, in a connection (6) between the mobile end terminal (1) to the ERP-system (4) via the intranet (10), a mobile ERP-server (3) having a special memory area (9) is located (6) between the connection (6) and the intranet (10). In said special storage area, configured specific access authorisations to the modules (5) of the ERP-systems (4) are stored for each individual user and for each mobile terminal (1), the logic of said modules taking the form of applications and supplementary applications linked to individually adapted menus (7) with scripts of a mask which is reproduced on a display (8) of the mobile terminal (1).