RSS Web Feed for IT Service Data Unification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for presenting information from Information Technology (IT) services are complex and costly, requiring multiple custom applications and back office infrastructures, making it difficult and expensive for users to monitor IT service data across multiple services on generic computing devices.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses web feed documents, such as RSS format, to communicate periodically-updated IT service data to users, allowing data from different IT services to be unified and presented in a common format, enabling easy monitoring and integration with other information on user devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple custom applications and back office infrastructures are used to present IT service information, then information completeness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single web feed document format (RSS/XML) that can universally present information from multiple different IT services (application performance management, service desk, etc.) through a common structure with placeholder elements, eliminating the need for multiple custom applications while maintaining information completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a web feed document as an intermediary layer between the back office IT services and the user's computing device. This intermediary standardizes and simplifies data presentation while maintaining connection to multiple service sources, reducing system complexity without losing information
2Reliability
If multiple custom applications are deployed to monitor IT services, then monitoring capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The web feed document provides a universal interface that works with any standard RSS/XML reader application, allowing users to monitor multiple IT services through a single familiar interface rather than learning multiple custom applications, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining monitoring capability
3Loss of information
If custom applications are used to present IT service data, then data presentation capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by leveraging existing web feed document formats (RSS/XML) that are already widely supported by browsers and feed readers. Instead of creating custom applications, the solution copies the proven, low-cost web feed approach to present IT service data, maintaining presentation quality while reducing costs
4Adaptability or versatility
If data formats from different IT services are unified, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using a flexible template approach where placeholder elements (identified by unique keys) can represent different data types and structures from various IT services. The system transforms diverse service data into a unified web feed format by mapping different parameters to corresponding placeholder elements, achieving adaptability while managing formatting precision through the standardized template structure
Data Source
AI summary
Data from applications is published using a web feed document such as according to the Really Simple Syndication (RSS) protocol. The applications can be information technology (IT) services, such as an Application Performance Management program and a Service Desk program, which are used by an organization. The data is received at an Application Programming Interface (API) and stored in a database in a format which is usable by the web feed document. For example, the data can provide a parameter name, parameter label, severity and user type which are associated with placeholder elements in the web feed document. The user type may be used to restrict the publishing of certain parameters to certain users based on their business roles in an organization. The feed server may provide additional details in response to the user selecting a hyperlink in the web feed document.