Multi-Tenant Procurement System Customization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current e-commerce systems are inefficient and costly to customize for complex procurement processes, requiring hard-coded changes and lacking a simple, customizable methodology for multiple organizations and vendors with varying business terms, and do not provide a single point-of-access for both businesses and consumers to interface and execute transactions effectively.

Innovation Solution

A single instance, multi-tenant procurement system with an access module, search engine, transaction module, and data repository that allows for easy customization of end-user accounts, product searches, and business rule application, enabling efficient and simple procurement processes across multiple organizations and vendors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If current e-commerce systems are used for procurement, then basic transaction functionality is provided, but customization is time-consuming and complicated requiring hard-coded changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a multi-tenant architecture where a single e-commerce system instance serves multiple organizations (tenants) with different procurement requirements. Each tenant can be customized through configurable parameters and modules without requiring separate system instances or hard-coded changes, enabling one system to fulfill multiple specialized functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic configuration capabilities where procurement processes, business rules, and system behavior can be adjusted in real-time based on tenant-specific requirements. This allows the system to adapt its structure and functionality dynamically rather than requiring static hard-coded customization for each organization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If current e-commerce systems are customized for specific businesses, then functionality is tailored, but implementation costs and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebusiness-specific functionalityVSAvoidimplementation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures multiple tenant profiles and procurement scenarios during system deployment, anticipating different business requirements in advance. Common procurement processes and business rules are pre-built and can be selectively activated for different tenants, eliminating the need for time-consuming custom development for each organization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-tenant architecture allows successful tenant configurations to be replicated and reused across multiple organizations. Once a procurement process is configured for one tenant, it can be copied and adapted for other tenants with similar requirements, significantly reducing implementation time and costs for subsequent customizations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If current e-commerce systems are customized with hard-coded changes, then specific requirements are met, but productivity is reduced and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverequirement fulfillmentVSAvoidimplementation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables tenants to self-configure their own procurement processes and business rules through intuitive configuration interfaces without requiring developer intervention or hard-coded changes. This self-service capability allows organizations to independently adapt the system to their requirements, eliminating productivity losses associated with custom development cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If current e-commerce systems lack single point-of-access, then separate interfaces are needed, but system integration becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface accessibilityVSAvoidsystem integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates multiple tenant interfaces and procurement processes into a single unified system access point. The multi-tenant architecture allows different organizations to access their customized procurement functions through one integrated platform, eliminating the need for separate system instances or multiple access points while maintaining tenant-specific configurations and data isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8285573B1Prioritizing orders/receipt of items between users

Publication Date: 2012.10.09 JAGGAER LLC

AI summary

In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method operating at a server system is disclosed. The server hosts and electronic procurement system. A first user purchase request to purchase an item is received, and a second user purchase request to purchase the same item is received. A determination is made if there is sufficient stock of the item available to fulfill both user purchase requests. The first and second user purchase requests are prioritized, if there is insufficient stock of the item available to fulfill both purchase requests. A purchase order is generated for at least one of the first and second user purchase requests in accordance with the prioritizing. Related methods and systems are also disclosed.