Parallel Tier Consolidation with Resource Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing accounting software fails to perform tier consolidation efficiently for complex hierarchical organizational structures, leading to inefficiencies, increased computational requirements, and risks to data integrity.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for automatic tier consolidation that identifies an optimal path for consolidating nodes within an organizational structure, performing data aggregation in parallel while using resource locking to prevent interference, and generating reports based on hierarchical relationships and currency conversions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional accounting software performs tier consolidation for complex hierarchical organizational structures, then data processing can be completed, but processing speed is slow and computational resources are excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the organizational structure into discrete nodes and edges, representing hierarchical relationships as a graph structure. This segmentation allows the consolidation process to operate on individual components rather than the entire structure at once, enabling parallel processing and reducing overall computational resource requirements while maintaining processing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a parallel processing dimension by simultaneously consolidating multiple nodes at different hierarchical levels. Instead of sequential processing, the system performs consolidation operations across multiple dimensions (different organizational tiers) concurrently, significantly improving processing speed without proportionally increasing computational resources.
2Productivity
If conventional accounting software performs tier consolidation, then consolidation can be completed, but the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the hierarchical relationships and organizational structure before consolidation begins. The system pre-processes the graph structure to identify parent-child relationships and consolidation paths, allowing the actual consolidation operation to execute more quickly without time-consuming setup procedures during the consolidation process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by implementing an iterative consolidation process that continuously processes nodes until convergence is achieved. The system maintains active processing threads that continuously work on consolidation operations without idle waiting, ensuring that computational resources are continuously productive and minimizing total processing time while achieving accurate consolidation results.
3Productivity
If conventional accounting software performs tier consolidation, then consolidation can be completed, but data integrity risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor and verify consolidation results. The system checks for convergence criteria, validates aggregation calculations, and detects anomalies in the consolidation process. This feedback loop ensures data integrity by identifying and correcting errors before they propagate through the organizational structure, maintaining reliability while preserving consolidation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by implementing validation and verification steps before final consolidation results are finalized. The system performs preliminary checks on data consistency, ownership relationships, and calculation accuracy to cushion against potential data integrity issues. This preventive approach reduces the risk of errors in the consolidation process without limiting the consolidation capability itself.
4Productivity
If conventional accounting software performs tier consolidation, then consolidation can be completed, but the data structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal graph data structure that serves multiple functions: representing organizational hierarchy, defining consolidation paths, storing ownership relationships, and facilitating parallel processing. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate data structures into a single unified representation, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full consolidation functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various embodiments described herein provide improved functionality for performing tier consolidation for organizations having any type of hierarchical structure, so as to increase flexibility, speed, accuracy, and performance in generating reports and conducting analysis on a company's operations and performance. Consolidation can be performed at any suitable time, such as for example at the end of some period, at which time it may be useful to generate accounting and/or financial reports for the organization. In at least one embodiment, the described techniques improve on conventional tier consolidation mechanisms by employing parallel processing on multiple nodes at the same level. In situations where processing of one node might interfere with processing of another node, a resource locking mechanism is used to prevent such interference, so as to ensure accuracy and avoid corruption of data.