Network Subscription Management Service for Enterprise Onboarding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing collaboration networks for enterprises lack centralized management for onboarding to different sub-networks, resulting in inconsistent and repetitive onboarding processes across various sub-networks.

Innovation Solution

A network subscription management service (NSMS) is introduced to provide a central onboarding layer that enables seamless and consistent onboarding to multiple sub-networks through a collaboration network, using a central subscription model to map different subscription plan types to standard account types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If enterprises undergo complete onboarding processes for each sub-network separately, then each sub-network can provide customized service, but the onboarding process becomes repetitive and resource-wasteful

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomized serviceVSAvoidresource wastage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The onboarding process is segmented into two parts: a universal onboarding phase handled by the NSMS that applies to all sub-networks, and a customized phase specific to each sub-network. This segmentation allows common authentication and subscription management to be done once, while customization occurs only where needed, reducing resource wastage while maintaining service adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The NSMS provides universal onboarding functionality that works across multiple sub-networks. By implementing a centralized subscription management service that handles authentication, authorization, and subscription management for all sub-networks, the system eliminates the need for separate complete onboarding processes for each sub-network, thereby reducing resource consumption while maintaining customized service capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If enterprises undergo complete onboarding processes for each sub-network separately, then each sub-network can be properly configured, but the onboarding process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproper configurationVSAvoidonboarding time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The NSMS performs preliminary onboarding actions including authentication, authorization, and subscription management before the enterprise accesses specific sub-networks. By completing these common tasks in advance through a single onboarding process, the system eliminates the need for enterprises to repeat these steps for each sub-network, significantly reducing onboarding time while ensuring proper configuration through the centralized management service.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If a centralized onboarding layer is implemented, then repetitive onboarding processes are eliminated, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveonboarding efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The NSMS acts as an intermediary layer between the enterprise and multiple sub-networks. This centralized service handles the complexity of authentication, authorization, and subscription management, shielding the enterprise from the underlying complexity of each sub-network while providing simplified, efficient onboarding. The intermediary absorbs the system complexity, improving productivity without exposing the user to increased complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If complete re-onboarding is required for each sub-network, then subscription management can be comprehensive, but resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubscription managementVSAvoidresource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The NSMS merges authentication, authorization, and subscription management functions into a single centralized service that handles all sub-networks. By combining these functions that were previously duplicated across multiple separate onboarding processes, the system achieves comprehensive subscription management while significantly reducing resource consumption. The merged service reuses authentication credentials and subscription information across sub-networks, eliminating redundant resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12294821B2Network subscription management service for enterprise network collaboration

Publication Date: 2025.05.06 SAP SE

AI summary

Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media for network subscription management. An example method includes receiving a request, from a collaboration network, for sub-network subscription offerings that are available for a user of the collaboration network. The user is identified in the collaboration network using a collaboration network identifier and is currently subscribed to a first subscription plan offering of a first sub-network. Compatible sub-network subscription offerings that are available for the user of the collaboration network that are compatible with the first subscription plan offering are determined and provided to the collaboration network. An indication of a selected second subscription plan offering for a second sub-network is received. Subscription service interface information for connecting to the second sub-network is determined and a connection is established to the second sub-network using the subscription service interface information.