Team Folder Automation with Threshold-Based Approval

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional file synchronization and sharing systems require manual administrator intervention for team folder creation, leading to cumbersome processes, potential data loss, and increased administrative burdens, especially with large user bases.

Innovation Solution

A computer system that automatically creates team folders based on user requests, with optional administrator approval for storage quotas exceeding predefined thresholds, and includes features for managing team folder creation, conversion, and deletion, ensuring data integrity and streamlined administrative tasks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual administrator intervention is required for team folder creation, then security and control are improved, but user experience and operational efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity and controlVSAvoiduser experience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to self-serve by automatically creating team folders through a workflow that does not require manual administrator intervention. The automated approval process allows users to initiate folder creation and receive automatic approval when storage requirements are within thresholds, eliminating the need to exit the workflow and contact administrators externally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring approval thresholds and storage pool allocations before users need to create team folders. Administrators set up approval workflows and storage thresholds in advance, so that routine folder creations can be automatically approved without real-time administrator involvement, while still maintaining security controls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If manual administrator intervention is required for team folder creation, then security and control are improved, but administrative burden deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity and controlVSAvoidadministrative efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system reduces administrative burden by enabling self-service automation for routine team folder creations. Administrators configure approval workflows and storage thresholds once, and the system automatically handles subsequent folder creation requests within those parameters, eliminating the need for administrators to manually process each request while maintaining security oversight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Administrators perform preliminary configuration of approval thresholds, storage pool allocations, and workflow rules before users need to create team folders. This upfront setup enables automatic processing of routine requests, significantly reducing the time administrators spend on manual approvals while maintaining security and control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If users can create team folders with high storage quotas, then storage capacity is improved, but system control and security deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidsystem control
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic parameter changes by establishing storage quota thresholds that trigger different approval workflows. When users request team folders with storage within the threshold, automatic approval is granted. When requests exceed the threshold, the system automatically routes them to administrators for manual approval, thus maintaining system control while allowing high storage capacity allocations when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback loops where administrators can monitor and adjust approval thresholds based on system usage patterns and storage pool availability. The automated workflow continuously evaluates storage requests against current thresholds and adjusts routing decisions accordingly, maintaining optimal balance between storage capacity allocation and system control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If automated team folder creation is implemented, then user experience and operational efficiency are improved, but risk of data loss and security issues worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidrisk of data loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary validation and approval actions before team folders are created. Automated workflows evaluate storage requests against pre-configured thresholds and policies before allocation, and administrators can review and approve high-value requests in advance. This preliminary control reduces the risk of unauthorized or erroneous folder creations while maintaining operational efficiency for routine requests.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where administrators can monitor automated folder creation activities, adjust approval thresholds, and intervene when anomalies are detected. The automated workflow provides continuous feedback on storage pool utilization and request patterns, enabling proactive risk management while maintaining high operational efficiency for legitimate requests.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3391231B1Team folder conversion and management
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 HITACHI VANTARA LLC
  • EP3391231B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3391231B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3391231B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In some examples, a system may receive, from a first user, a request to create a team folder from a folder associated with the first user. The request may indicate a requested storage quota from a team folder storage pool to associate with the team folder. The system may determine whether the requested storage quota is below a threshold amount corresponding to a profile for team folder creation associated with the first user. If the requested storage quota is below the threshold amount, the system may automatically create a shared file system for the team folder and allocate a quantity of storage from the team folder storage pool to the shared file system based on the requested storage quota. Alternatively, if the requested storage quota exceeds the threshold amount, the system may generate a communication to an administrator to request approval for creation of the team folder.