Software Dependency Tracking for Enterprise Module Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Companies face challenges in managing software effectively due to the shift from monolithic systems to enterprise-wide service architectures and increasing internet usage, requiring flexible and adaptive software management solutions that can handle changing market strategies and dependencies between software modules.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for managing software modules by receiving and monitoring information reflecting dependencies between them, allowing for the division of application logic into multiple modules that can be remotely located and exchanged, with a processor configured to generate representations of these dependencies and provide notifications on changes, facilitating efficient software management across an enterprise service architecture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If software is divided into multiple modules with dependencies, then adaptability and flexibility are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of management increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware adaptabilityVSAvoidsoftware management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a software management system as an intermediary that automatically tracks dependencies between software modules and identifies affected modules when changes occur. This mediator handles the complexity of managing modular software by automating the tracking and notification processes, allowing developers to benefit from modularity without manually managing the increased complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If software modules are remotely located and exchanged, then productivity and efficiency are improved, but reliability and security management become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware update efficiencyVSAvoidsoftware reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the software management system continuously monitors dependencies between modules and provides notifications when changes affect other modules. This feedback loop ensures that even when modules are remotely located and exchanged, the system maintains awareness of relationships between modules, allowing reliability to be maintained through automated tracking and notification of changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If monolithic software systems are used, then ease of operation and management are maintained, but adaptability to changing market strategies decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware management easeVSAvoidmarket strategy adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides software into multiple independent modules with defined dependencies, allowing individual modules to be updated, exchanged, or modified without affecting the entire system. This segmentation enables the software to adapt to changing market strategies by allowing selective updates of specific modules while maintaining overall system integrity through automated dependency tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7895572B2Systems and methods for enterprise software management

Publication Date: 2011.02.22 SAP SE

AI summary

Methods and systems consistent with embodiments of the present invention receive information reflecting dependencies between software modules, and monitor the software modules for changes using the received information reflecting the dependencies. The information may be derived from dependency data in the software modules.