SOA Modeling Tool for Business Analysts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current modeling tools for service-oriented architecture (SOA) lack support for SOA design principles, leading to productivity issues and poor quality implementations due to requirements for programming knowledge, outdated design approaches, and focus on technical interfaces rather than service compositions.

Innovation Solution

A SOA modeling tool that allows users to create, manage, and visualize service-oriented components without programming expertise, enabling the conceptualization of services and compositions before physical implementation, and facilitating sharing and reuse across different platforms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If proprietary modeling technology tied to a particular vendor's development platform is used, then the modeling process can be supported by specific technologies, but the adaptability to different vendor platforms is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodeling supportVSAvoidplatform compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a vendor-neutral service modeling approach where service models, service candidate inventories, and composition candidate inventories are created using a universal modeling tool that is not tied to any specific vendor platform. This allows the same service models to be reused across multiple vendor platforms, achieving both reliable modeling support and broad platform adaptability.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If outdated modeling tools built for older design approaches are used, then existing tools can be utilized, but the support for SOA design principles and service-orientation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool availabilityVSAvoidSOA design support
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new modeling tool with updated parameters and capabilities specifically designed for SOA design principles. The tool supports service-orientation by enabling creation of service models that emphasize reusable services and compositions, rather than traditional object-oriented or procedural design parameters. This allows the tool to adapt to modern SOA requirements while maintaining ease of use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If programming knowledge is required for modeling, then technical accuracy can be maintained, but the ease of operation for business analysts is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodeling accuracyVSAvoiduser accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate service modeling layer that acts as a mediator between business analysts and technical implementations. The service models created by business analysts using the intuitive tool serve as a bridge, capturing business logic and requirements without requiring programmers. These models are then automatically transformed into technical implementations, maintaining accuracy while improving ease of operation for non-programmers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Manufacturing precision

If focus is placed on technical interfaces, then interface definition can be detailed, but the representation of service compositions and business logic is weakened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface definitionVSAvoidservice composition context
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the service model into multiple hierarchical levels: service models at the top level capture business logic and compositions, while service candidates and composition candidates at lower levels handle technical interface details. This segmentation allows detailed interface definition to coexist with comprehensive service composition representation, as each level focuses on its specific aspect without losing the broader context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9213526B1Service oriented architecture (SOA) modeling
Publication Date: 2015.12.15 RED HAT INC
  • US9213526B1 patent drawing
  • US9213526B1 patent drawing
  • US9213526B1 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus, system, and method to facilitate service-oriented component modeling in a service-oriented architecture (SOA) according to SOA design principles. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a database to store a SOA service model, and a modeling tool that requires no programming knowledge from a user. The modeling tool is operable to receive input pertaining to one or more service-oriented components from the user, and update the SOA service model based on the received input.