Remote Data Collection Agents for Multi-Database Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Franchisors and other businesses face challenges in collecting, consolidating, and reporting operational and financial data from diverse remote locations due to different data storage formats and systems, lacking a generic, automated, and platform-agnostic solution for remote data collection across various LOB applications and database vendors.
Innovation Solution
A remote data collection system utilizing central servers and agents that automatically collect data from multiple LOB applications and database formats over a configurable transport mechanism, employing metadata messages for dynamic control and configuration, allowing centralized management without the need for extensive IT support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional manual data collection methods (email, fax) are used, then implementation complexity is low, but data collection efficiency and timeliness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-service data collection where the remote data collection system automatically connects to franchisee databases, extracts data, and transmits it to the central database without requiring manual intervention from franchisees or IT personnel. This resolves the contradiction by automating the collection process (improving productivity) while using standardized protocols that minimize system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical data collection methods (email, fax) with an automated electronic system that uses database connectors and standardized data extraction mechanisms. This substitution improves data collection efficiency while using open standards that prevent excessive complexity.
2Reliability
If customized IT systems and support personnel are deployed at each location, then data collection reliability improves, but operational cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs universal database connectors and standardized communication protocols that can interface with multiple database types (SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, Access) and application platforms without requiring location-specific customized IT systems. This universality maintains reliability through consistent data collection while reducing infrastructure complexity and eliminating the need for specialized IT personnel at each location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized data collection server that acts as an intermediary between remote franchisee databases and the central management system. This intermediary handles all data extraction, validation, and transmission tasks centrally, eliminating the need for localized IT support while maintaining reliable data collection through standardized interfaces.
3Ease of operation
If standardized data formats are enforced across all locations, then data consolidation ease improves, but adaptability to different platforms deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses database connectors as intermediaries that adapt to different platform formats while presenting a standardized data interface to the central collection server. These connectors translate diverse database structures into a uniform data format, enabling easy consolidation while maintaining full platform adaptability across SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, and Access systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs configurable data extraction parameters that can be dynamically adjusted for different database types and formats. The system changes extraction parameters (field mappings, data types, query structures) based on the source database while maintaining a consistent target format for consolidation, thus achieving both ease of operation and platform adaptability.
4Loss of time
If automated data collection is implemented, then data collection timeliness improves, but system complexity and initial setup difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring standardized database connectors and communication protocols before deployment. Franchisees simply need to install the remote data collection agent, and the system automatically detects their database configuration, eliminating the need for complex manual setup while achieving timely automated data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote data collection system provides self-service functionality where the agent automatically detects the franchisee's database configuration, selects appropriate connectors, and establishes data extraction routines without requiring IT personnel intervention. This self-service approach minimizes setup complexity while enabling immediate automated data collection and reducing time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides remote data collection systems and methods for retrieving data including financial, sales, marketing, operational and the like data from a plurality of databases and database types remotely over a network in an automated, platform-agnostic manner. The present invention is designed to work across a plurality of LOB applications, database vendors and business models or businesses, as well as business infrastructure (various PCs, embedded devices and POS devices) and business processes while still providing the centralized ability to automatically collect data from multiple remote business sites. The present invention includes one or more central servers communicating with a plurality of remote data collection agents. The remote data collection agent is designed to overcome existing requirements or limitations as it is able to automatically collect remote data from a wide range of businesses, as well as multiple LOB applications while connecting to multiple databases vendors and formats.