Obsolescence Management Platform for IT OT Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing life cycle management for IT and OT systems is fragmented and inefficient, leading to obsolete software remaining in use beyond its effective period, necessitating a comprehensive approach for obsolescence measurement and management.

Innovation Solution

A platform device with modules such as a real-time interface module, database module, and reporting module is used to monitor and assess the obsolescence of network elements and software, applying obsolescence criteria categories to generate scores and reports that support preventative maintenance and capital program decisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual life cycle management methods are used for IT and OT systems, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but obsolescence measurement accuracy and management effectiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobsolescence measurement accuracyVSAvoidmanagement system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary obsolescence management platform that acts as a mediator between IT/OT systems and management decision-makers. This platform collects data from multiple sources, processes obsolescence measurements using standardized criteria, and presents actionable insights, thereby improving measurement accuracy without requiring direct complex integration into existing systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The obsolescence management system is segmented into distinct functional modules: data collection module, measurement calculation module, reporting module, and recommendation module. Each module handles specific aspects of obsolescence assessment independently, improving measurement precision through specialized processing while managing overall system complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If comprehensive obsolescence assessment is implemented across the entire network, then obsolescence detection completeness is improved, but processing time and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobsolescence detection completenessVSAvoidassessment processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining obsolescence criteria, data collection templates, and assessment methodologies before actual measurements are conducted. Historical data is pre-collected and pre-processed where possible, enabling comprehensive network-wide assessment without proportional increases in processing time during execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The obsolescence assessment operates continuously rather than periodically, with the system constantly collecting data, updating measurements, and maintaining current obsolescence status across the network. This continuous operation distributes processing over time, maintaining detection completeness while avoiding concentrated processing bottlenecks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Stability of the object's composition

If standardized obsolescence criteria are applied across all network elements, then assessment consistency is improved, but adaptability to specific system requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassessment consistencyVSAvoidsystem-specific adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies the principle of local quality by allowing different network elements to have customized obsolescence criteria weights and thresholds tailored to their specific requirements. While the overall assessment framework remains standardized for consistency, individual systems can adjust local parameters to reflect their unique operational contexts, criticality levels, and replacement strategies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The obsolescence assessment system is designed to be dynamic, allowing criteria and weights to be adjusted over time based on changing organizational priorities, technological landscapes, and system-specific requirements. This enables the system to maintain consistency through standardized processes while adapting to evolving needs through configurable parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11983188B2Systems, devices, and methods for network and obsolescence management

Publication Date: 2024.05.14 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for network and obsolescence management. In one embodiment, a platform device is provided including a real-time system interface module (RSIM), a database module (DBM), a logic control module (LCM) and a reporting module (RM). The platform device collects data for network elements, systems, devices and network services, and examines the network elements and network service to generate a network obsolescence report. The platform device may output an obsolescence report including one or more obsolescence measurements. Processes are also provided for network and obsolescence management.