Report Snapshot Storage for Cloud Report Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cloud-based environments, report generation is often lengthy due to system load, bandwidth, and data complexity, leading to prolonged wait times for users and inefficient resource utilization when the same reports are repeatedly generated.
Innovation Solution
Users are provided with the option to choose between a live report and a previously generated report snapshot, with user interface elements indicating the freshness of snapshots, allowing them to decide based on parameters like generation time and settings, and enabling storage and retrieval of multiple snapshots for quick access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a live report is generated from scratch, then the report contains the most up-to-date information, but the generation time is excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-generates report snapshots at scheduled intervals or in response to trigger events before users request them. These snapshots are stored in a storage device for later retrieval, eliminating the need to wait for full report regeneration while providing near-real-time data at periodic intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of generating a complete new report each time, the system creates and stores copies (snapshots) of previously generated reports. Users can select from multiple snapshot versions, each representing the report at a different point in time, providing quick access without full regeneration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the same report is repeatedly generated for multiple users, then each user gets a customized report, but server load and generation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the base report content (which is identical for multiple users requesting the same report) into a single generated snapshot that can be shared. User-specific customizations are applied only when necessary, reducing redundant generation while maintaining individualization where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
A single report snapshot serves multiple users simultaneously, making the report generation system universal. The same snapshot can be distributed to numerous users who need the same information, eliminating the need for separate generation instances for each user.
3Loss of time
If report snapshots are stored and cached, then access time is reduced, but storage resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system stores multiple snapshots of the same report in the storage device, each representing different points in time. This allows users to access historical versions when needed while maintaining a manageable set of snapshots through selective retention policies.
Data Source
AI summary
Users requesting a report are given the option of generating a live report or viewing a previous generated “report snapshot”, which may be a version of the report that was previously generated and stored. The report snapshot may have been generated in response to a previous request for the report, or it may have been generated automatically in response to some trigger event or on a period basis. In response to the user's selection of a live report, the report is generated from data stored in a database, and provided to the user when ready. In addition, the live report is stored as a report snapshot in a storage device. In response to the user's selection of a snapshot, the previously generated report snapshot is retrieved from the storage device and provided to the user. Multiple snapshots for the same report can be made available.