Enterprise Software Configuration Management via Template-Based Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manually distributing and updating sets of enterprise software applications is error-prone and inefficient, lacking the flexibility needed for enterprise environments where multiple users and applications interact.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for controlling configurations of enterprise software applications, involving a deployment server, client computing platforms, and modification databases, where deployment-specific and modification-specific configuration settings are managed to ensure seamless execution and updates while maintaining accessibility for users, using a structured order for modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual distribution and updating of software applications is performed, then flexibility for individual user needs is improved, but error rate and inefficiency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility for individual user needsVSAvoiderror rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses templates to create standardized deployment configurations that can be copied and reused across multiple users and applications. These templates define standard sets of configuration settings that ensure consistency and reduce manual errors while still allowing customization through template selection and parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system manages configuration settings as adjustable parameters within defined templates. Users can modify specific parameters (such as connection strings, resource allocations, or feature flags) without changing the overall deployment structure, enabling flexible adaptation while maintaining reliability through controlled parameter management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual distribution and updating of software applications is performed, then customization for specific users is improved, but efficiency and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization for specific usersVSAvoidefficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements templates that pre-configure deployment settings based on anticipated user needs and application requirements. This preliminary configuration work is done in advance, allowing rapid deployment without manual configuration during the actual distribution process, thereby improving efficiency while maintaining customization capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The template system serves multiple functions: it standardizes deployments, enables rapid provisioning, and provides a framework for customization. A single template can serve multiple users with similar requirements, while allowing individual modifications, thus improving overall productivity without sacrificing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If configuration settings are modified during active deployment, then continuous accessibility for users is maintained, but complexity of managing multiple modification databases increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous accessibilityVSAvoidcomplexity of managing multiple modification databases

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides configuration management into separate, organized components: base templates and modification databases. Each modification database contains specific configuration changes organized by deployment target. This segmentation allows the system to manage complexity through structured organization while enabling continuous deployment modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses an intermediary layer (the template-based configuration management system) that mediates between the base deployment configuration and the various modification databases. This intermediary orchestrates the application of multiple modifications in the correct sequence, managing the complexity of coordinating changes across multiple databases while maintaining continuous service availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11861338B2Systems and methods to control configurations of customer-specific deployments of sets of enterprise software applications

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 INSTABASE INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for controlling configurations of deployments of sets of enterprise software applications to users are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: store information, including executable code for a set of enterprise software applications and a configuration database including deployment-specific configuration settings and corresponding setting values; effectuate deployment of the set of enterprise software applications on a first deployment server; obtain modification databases with updated configuration settings; and modify the configuration settings of the first deployment server based on the modification databases.