Product Data Exchange System with Hierarchical Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturers face challenges in managing and controlling the dissemination of product information across the supply chain, particularly in B2B transactions, where confidentiality and tailored access to detailed product data are necessary, especially in online sales environments where extensive information sharing is expected but needs to be controlled.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based product data exchange system, referred to as the Anarus Platform, allows for the controlled and managed sharing of rich product data among manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and contractors, using a SaaS product data exchange network that utilizes JSON data containers and microservices architecture for secure, selective access and data management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If comprehensive product information is shared publicly to accommodate online marketplace expectations, then information accessibility and customer service quality improve, but confidentiality of pricing arrangements and control over information dissemination deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments product information into multiple hierarchical levels (public, authenticated, user-specific, confidential) that can be selectively disclosed. Manufacturers can divide their product catalogs and pricing structures into discrete controllable units, sharing only appropriate portions with different user groups while maintaining confidentiality of sensitive data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication system and platform between manufacturers and customers that controls information flow. This intermediary verifies user identities, manages authentication credentials, and selectively retrieves and presents information based on user permissions, preventing direct unauthorized access to confidential data while maintaining service quality.
2Ease of operation
If detailed product information is provided to all distributors and dealers, then customer service quality improves, but the ability to control and manage information dissemination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal authentication and permission management platform that serves multiple manufacturers and distributors through a single standardized interface. This multi-functional system handles user registration, authentication, information retrieval, and permission management across diverse product lines and customer types, reducing overall system complexity despite the need for detailed information control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic permission structures where information access rights can be flexibly adjusted based on user authentication status, purchase history, and manufacturer-defined policies. The system adapts information disclosure in real-time based on user credentials and contextual factors, enabling detailed information control without requiring complex static classification systems.
3Reliability
If authenticated user systems are implemented to control information access, then information security and manufacturer control improve, but system complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service authentication mechanisms where users can independently register, obtain authentication credentials, and manage their own access permissions through the platform. This reduces the burden on manufacturers to manually manage authentication for each user while maintaining security controls, as the system automatically handles credential verification and information retrieval based on user status.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for the controlled sharing of information related to products provided by a manufacturer with selected supply chain members. The system maintains manufacturer records and supply chain member records in a user database, manufacturer company records in a company database and product records in a product database. Each manufacturer and each supply chain member are assigned unique global network identification numbers (GNIN) within the system. Further, each product is provided with a unique product ID and assigned to at least one group or subgroup. Product information from a manufacturer is controlled by requiring an appropriate entry in both the manufacturer user record and the supply chain member user record before information related to that product can be provided to the supply chain member. Product information can be designated by the product ID or by appropriate group and/or subgroup entries. All records are stored in a JSON format within big data containers so that no size limitations exists.