Multi-tenant Report Storage via Intermediary Format Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional database systems require reports to be stored in proprietary formats, limiting their accessibility and shareability across different entities, as developers without specialized knowledge in the proprietary format cannot create or modify reports effectively, and reports are often confined to specific developers or organizations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing mechanisms and methods for a multi-tenant on-demand database service that allows tenants to create, modify, and share reports programmatically, using a non-proprietary metadata schema, enabling reports to be stored and accessed by multiple tenants, and providing a user interface for configuring filters and groupings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If reports are stored in proprietary formats, then reports can be stored in database systems, but reports cannot be shared or distributed across different entities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary conversion mechanism that transforms reports from proprietary formats to standardized formats (such as PDF, Excel, or XML). This intermediary process enables reports to be stored in proprietary formats for compatibility while allowing them to be shared and distributed in standardized formats that any entity can access and use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the format parameter of reports dynamically based on the operation required. Reports are stored in proprietary formats when creation and modification are needed, but are converted to standardized formats when sharing or distribution is required. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adapting the format to the specific operational context.
2Ease of operation
If reports are stored in proprietary formats, then reports can be created by developers with specialized knowledge, but developers without specialized knowledge cannot create or modify reports effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the report handling process into two distinct parts: report creation/modification in proprietary formats for developers with specialized knowledge, and report access/sharing in standardized formats for general users. This segmentation allows each group to work in the format most suitable for their needs without requiring knowledge of the other format.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides an intermediary layer that handles the conversion between proprietary and standardized formats automatically. Developers working with proprietary formats do not need to understand standardized formats, and general users accessing standardized formats do not need to understand proprietary formats. The intermediary conversion mechanism mediates between these two groups, eliminating the need for general users to have specialized knowledge.
3Adaptability or versatility
If reports are confined to specific developers or organizations, then reports can be created with specialized knowledge, but reports cannot be accessed by other tenants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates copies of reports in different formats for different purposes. The original report in proprietary format is preserved for developers who need to create or modify it, while standardized format copies are generated for sharing and distribution to other tenants. This copying approach ensures that the format information is not lost in the original while making the report accessible to others in a compatible format.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for storing reports for use by tenants of a multi-tenant on-demand database service. These mechanisms and methods for storing reports for use by tenants of a multi-tenant on-demand database service may allow tenants of the multi-tenant on-demand database service to create, modify, etc. reports programmatically, as desired, and may allow the multi-tenant on-demand database service to make the reports accessible to other tenants of the multi-tenant on-demand database service.