Dynamic Mobile App Configuration via SharePoint Lists
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile applications are specialized and costly due to their explicit coding for specific functions, leading to the need for multiple applications for different tasks, whereas users require access to diverse server-based systems for collaboration and data management, such as Microsoft SharePoint, which limits flexibility and increases software costs.
Innovation Solution
A mobile application that dynamically reads its configuration from a Microsoft SharePoint Services list, allowing for customizable access to various server-based systems, enabling users to access different configurations based on their permissions, with dynamic data rendering and behavior controlled by server-stored configurations, thus eliminating the need for multiple specialized applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple specialized mobile applications are deployed to access different server-based systems, then specific functionality is achieved, but software costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal mobile application that can access multiple different server-based systems (SharePoint, Lync, Office 365, etc.) through a single interface. The application uses dynamic configuration data stored in SharePoint to adapt its behavior and functionality based on the target system, eliminating the need for multiple specialized applications while maintaining full functionality for each system.
Solution Approach 2:
The application employs dynamic configuration where the user interface, data fields, and interaction patterns are not hard-coded but are instead retrieved dynamically from SharePoint configuration data. This allows the same application binary to adapt its behavior dynamically based on which server system it is accessing, enabling one application to serve multiple specialized purposes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized mobile applications are purchased to access different server systems, then system-specific access is enabled, but software costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a single universal application that can access multiple server-based systems (SharePoint, Lync, Office 365, and other collaboration platforms). By using dynamic configuration data from SharePoint to drive the application's behavior, one application replaces the need to purchase and maintain multiple specialized applications, significantly reducing software licensing costs while maintaining full system-specific access capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The application uses configuration data stored in SharePoint as a template or blueprint to generate the appropriate user interface and interaction patterns for each server system. Instead of hard-coding separate applications for each system, the patent copies the configuration data from SharePoint and uses it to dynamically construct the appropriate access interface, reducing the need for multiple application copies.
3Device complexity
If a single mobile application is designed to access multiple server systems, then software cost is reduced, but configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the configuration data and system-specific parameters from the application code itself and stores them externally in SharePoint. By separating the configuration data from the application binary, the patent simplifies application deployment and maintenance. The application structure remains simple and uniform, while the extracted configuration data in SharePoint handles the complexity of supporting multiple server systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The application automatically retrieves its own configuration data from SharePoint based on the user's authentication and permissions. The system self-configures by reading the appropriate configuration lists from SharePoint and adapting its behavior accordingly, eliminating the need for manual configuration or complex deployment processes. The application serves itself by dynamically loading the correct configuration based on user context.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of and a mobile processing device for accessing a web application platform. The method includes installing an application configured to access a server hosting the web application platform, configuring the application, wherein configuring comprises generating at least one of a data capture list and a data lookup list available to the application, transferring authentication information to the server, receiving an indication of which application configurations the application is permitted to access based upon the authentication information, and displaying a set of one or more icons related to the application configurations the application is permitted to access. The mobile processing device includes various hardware components for performing the method.