Order Processing System Adaptation via Segmented Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy systems face difficulties in handling customer orders for telecommunications services across overlapping market territories and data type inconsistencies, requiring significant programming efforts and resource allocation to adapt to new market demands and partners.
Innovation Solution
A flexible system and method that allows quick adaptation to new market data needs by using scripted verification code and CSS layers for data field modifications, enabling seamless integration with legacy components and supporting NENA-2 file generation, thus facilitating efficient processing of customer orders across different network types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If legacy systems are used to process customer orders, then system stability is maintained, but adaptability to new market data needs and partners deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the order processing system into distinct modules: order reception module, validation module, routing module, and fulfillment module. Each module handles specific aspects of order processing independently, allowing the system to adapt to new market requirements by modifying individual modules without restructuring the entire legacy system. This segmentation enables targeted updates for new data types and partners while preserving stable core functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (adapter or interface module) between the legacy system and new order sources. This intermediary handles data transformation, validation, and routing, allowing the legacy system to process orders from new partners and data formats without direct modification. The intermediary acts as a buffer that translates new market data needs into formats the legacy system can handle, reducing programming effort and resource allocation requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If legacy systems process orders from overlapping market territories, then existing customer handling is maintained, but handling of third-party cable partner orders deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing territory-specific and partner-specific processing rules within the order routing module. Different validation criteria, data requirements, and fulfillment processes are applied based on the order source (LEC vs. cable partner) and geographic territory. This allows the system to reliably handle third-party partner orders by applying appropriate local rules while maintaining existing processing accuracy for traditional LEC orders.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic routing and validation logic that automatically adjusts processing parameters based on order characteristics. The system dynamically determines the appropriate handling path based on partner ID, territory, order type, and data format. This dynamic approach enables reliable processing of diverse third-party orders while maintaining accuracy for existing customers, as the system adapts its behavior to each specific order context rather than using fixed rules.
3Adaptability or versatility
If data fields are modified to accommodate new data types, then versatility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal data field structures that can accommodate multiple data types and formats through standardized schemas. The validation module uses flexible data type definitions that can handle numeric, alphanumeric, and structured data formats within the same field framework. This universality allows the system to accept new data types from different partners without creating separate field structures for each case, reducing system configuration complexity while maintaining data field flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter-driven field configuration where data field properties (type, length, validation rules) are defined as adjustable parameters rather than fixed system attributes. This allows administrators to modify data field characteristics through configuration files or database settings rather than code changes. When new data types are needed, parameters are adjusted to accommodate them, providing versatility without increasing system complexity since the underlying structure remains unchanged.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and medium are provided for processing customer orders associated with providing telephony services via a telecommunications network and with services provided via a cable network. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a service-order-entry (SOE) system associated with a set of legacy components, the SOE system being operable to receive a first type of customer order that is associated with providing services via a telecommunications network, the telecommunications network not including a cable television (CATV) network; supplementing the SOE system with a secondary order-reception system operable to receive a second type of customer order that is associated with providing telephony services over a CATV network and further operable to receive the second type of customer order without substantially modifying the legacy components; receiving the second type of customer order; and fulfilling the second type of customer order without substantially modifying the legacy components.