Automated Device Provisioning via Role-Based Data Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

The maintenance and deployment of mobile devices in organizations are cumbersome due to susceptibility to failures, lack of continuous connectivity, and the need for technicians to match data and application requirements with user roles, leading to inefficient resource allocation and outdated data.

Innovation Solution

A system that maps user responsibilities to device components, allowing for automated data and application aggregation and installation, monitoring changes, and updating data and applications accordingly, thereby streamlining the setup and maintenance of remote devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If data and applications are manually installed on mobile devices by technicians, then data can be installed on the device, but extensive employee time and resources are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice setup efficiencyVSAvoidemployee time for device setup
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service through automated device provisioning. When a user is assigned a device, the system automatically detects the device type, identifies required applications and data based on user role, and installs them without technician intervention. This eliminates manual setup while ensuring appropriate data is installed for each user's responsibilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring device profiles with role-specific applications and data before users receive their devices. User roles are pre-defined with associated data requirements, and when a device is assigned to a user, the matching profile is automatically applied, installing the correct data set in advance of actual use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If all data is installed on mobile devices to ensure availability, then data is accessible offline, but too much data is installed and bandwidth requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata availabilityVSAvoidbandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by installing different data sets tailored to each user's specific role and responsibilities. Instead of installing all organizational data on every device, the system identifies which users need which data based on their job functions, installing only the relevant subset locally while maintaining access to the full data repository on the server.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses partial action by installing only the necessary portion of data required for each user's responsibilities rather than all available data. This selective installation approach ensures sufficient data is available for offline use while minimizing bandwidth consumption and device storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If data is manually updated on mobile devices, then data can be synchronized, but the process is time consuming when user responsibilities change

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata synchronizationVSAvoiddata update time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms that automatically detect changes in user responsibilities and trigger appropriate data updates. When a user's role changes or a new user is assigned to a device, the system monitors the change, identifies the updated data requirements based on the new role profile, and automatically synchronizes the device with the correct data set without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies dynamics by making the data installation and update process adaptive to changing user requirements. Rather than static manual updates, the system dynamically adjusts data sets based on real-time changes in user responsibilities, automatically provisioning or updating device data to match current role requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If technicians configure mobile devices, then devices are set up with technical specifications, but technicians lack understanding of data requirements for various employee roles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice configurationVSAvoiddata requirement understanding
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary layer that bridges the gap between technical device configuration and business data requirements. The automated provisioning system acts as a mediator that translates user role definitions into specific data and application installation requirements, eliminating the need for technicians to understand complex data requirements while ensuring accurate device configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies universality by creating a standardized device provisioning framework that handles multiple user roles and data requirements through a single automated process. This universal system can accommodate different user types, device types, and data requirements without requiring specialized knowledge for each scenario, as the automated system manages the complexity internally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

5Adaptability or versatility

If HR employees assign devices to users, then user roles are understood, but technical requirements and capabilities of mobile devices are unfamiliar

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser role understandingVSAvoidtechnical specification knowledge
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated provisioning system serves as an intermediary that allows HR employees to assign devices based on user roles without needing to understand technical specifications. The system automatically handles the translation from business requirements to technical configuration, shielding HR staff from device complexity while leveraging their understanding of user roles and responsibilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the device provisioning process into distinct functional layers: user role definition (handled by HR), automated profile matching (handled by the system), and technical configuration (handled by the system). This segmentation allows HR employees to focus on their expertise in understanding user roles while the automated system manages the complex technical matching and configuration tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2135161B1Management of data for installation on a remote device
Publication Date: 2015.05.20 SAP SE
  • EP2135161B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2135161B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2135161B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Example embodiments are described that streamline the set up and maintenance of remote devices. A device component may map a physical device to a user responsibility. A responsibility component may map a user to a user responsibility. A data aggregation component may gather the data and applications associated with a responsibility by examining the responsibility component. The data and applications may include references to additional components including other data and applications needed for the responsibility. The data aggregation component may collect all of the data and applications by following the chain of dependencies associated with the responsibility component. An administrator may consult the data and applications collected in an installation component to determine what data and applications to install on the remote device for the user. In the alternative, an installation component may automatically install the data and applications on the remote device without intervention by the administrator.