Semantic Repository for Supply Chain Data Search
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Solution Overview
Problem
Business software applications and documents are often difficult to find due to varied storage methods and metadata, necessitating a uniform storage solution that is searchable via internet search engines and accessible by multiple users, with the added requirement of being updatable by a multitude of persons.
Innovation Solution
A semantic describing process and repository that uses a common business semantic language for collaborative business entities and processes, allowing for context-driven categorization, multi-dimensional categorization, and semi-automated mapping, enabling efficient storage and retrieval of business content across a supply chain, with features like versioning, history, and user-accessible updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If business software applications and documents are stored in multiple databases with different metadata collections, then storage flexibility and accessibility are improved, but searchability and findability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a semantic web layer as an intermediary between diverse databases and search engines. This layer translates various database metadata into unified semantic descriptions using standards like RDF and OWL, enabling search engines to effectively index and retrieve information from heterogeneous sources without requiring changes to the underlying storage systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal semantic description framework that can accommodate multiple database types, metadata schemas, and search engine requirements. By using standardized semantic vocabularies and ontologies, the system provides a single interface that serves both diverse storage needs and unified search functionality.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a uniform storage mode is implemented for business applications and documents, then searchability via internet search engines is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the system into distinct modular layers: data storage layer, semantic description layer, and search engine layer. Each layer has specific responsibilities, with the semantic web layer acting as a translation intermediary. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates semantic copies of business data that can be independently manipulated and translated. These semantic representations serve as intermediaries that can be converted into different formats for various search engines without requiring changes to the original data storage structures.
3Ease of operation
If existing internet search engines are used for searching business content, then accessibility is improved, but the ability to handle diverse metadata deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms diverse metadata parameters into standardized semantic parameters using controlled vocabularies and ontologies. By converting various database fields into unified semantic concepts with consistent schemas, the system enables search engines to effectively process and retrieve information regardless of the original metadata structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for accessing multiple portals using a unique business language semantic are provided. Business information and services are provided to customers during, for example, a supply chain management process. An accessible business environment is provided which includes a common repository. The common repository has access to one or more business portals. One can search the product listing in the common repository using a browser, e.g., a web-based browser. In response to a search, one may be provided with a product list indicating some available business portals having the specific product and/or service. The common repository entries are described by a predetermined semantical description.