Personalized Report Generation with Reusable Parameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional report generating applications, such as Crystal Reports, require users to have specific skills and permissions to personalize reports, leading to management issues with multiple personalized reports and the need for frequent updates to reflect changes in original report definitions, as well as tedious data entry for report parameters.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based reporting system that allows users to personalize reports by specifying preferences and storing them on a per-user and per-report basis, enabling automatic generation of personalized reports at runtime, with reusable report parameters to reduce repetitive data entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users modify report definitions to personalize reports, then report personalization is achieved, but user permission requirements and management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments report personalization into two independent layers: master report definitions (unchanged) and user-specific personalization preferences (stored separately in user profile). This allows personalization without modifying the original report definitions, reducing management complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary layer (personalization preferences file) between the user and the master report definition. This intermediary stores user-specific customizations without requiring modifications to the original report, simplifying permission management while enabling personalization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users create independent personalized report definitions, then report customization is achieved, but synchronization with original reports becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By separating report definitions into master definitions and user-specific personalization preferences stored in different locations, the system enables automatic synchronization. When master reports are updated, the system can automatically apply updates while preserving user personalizations, eliminating manual update time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing personalization preferences in advance in a structured format. When the original report is updated, the system automatically retrieves and applies the stored personalization preferences to the updated report, ensuring synchronization without manual intervention.
3Productivity
If report parameters are entered manually each time, then report generation flexibility is maintained, but user productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically populating report parameters from previously entered values stored in the user profile. When generating a report, the system retrieves stored parameter values and fills them in automatically, eliminating repetitive data entry while maintaining report generation flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically managing report parameter entry using stored user preferences. The system serves itself by retrieving and applying previously entered parameters without requiring user intervention, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining operational flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for generating personalized reports are disclosed. In some embodiments, a report generating application or service facilitates generating reports that can be personalized on a per-user and per-report basis. Accordingly, after personalizing a report to include only those columns desired, and formatting the report to have the columns appear in a desired order, the report generating application or service enables a user to save the personalization preferences to a file. Upon receiving a subsequent report request from the same user, the report generating application or service automatically generates the report in accordance with the user's saved personalization preferences. In addition to personalizing the report by specifying the particular columns and format, a user may establish, and save for later use, other report parameters (e.g., such as a date range) that are required in order to generate the report.