Trial Instance Generation for Seamless Software Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Independent software vendors (ISVs) face challenges in creating and providing trials of new solutions to customers without requiring users to go through a login or signup process on the operating environment of another corporation, while also managing different templates and functionalities for various user access channels.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that allows ISVs to generate trial instances of their products within a corporation's operating environment without needing a login or signup, using templates that provide different data and functionalities based on access channels, and managing these instances through a management module that provides APIs for user systems to access trial instances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ISVs require users to go through login or signup process on another corporation's operating environment, then user access control and security are improved, but user experience and ease of access deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the ISV's own authentication system serves as a mediator between the user and the corporation's operating environment. Users authenticate through the ISV's system first, which then grants access to the trial instance within the corporation's environment without requiring separate login to the corporation's system. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining security through authenticated access while providing seamless user experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the authentication process into distinct phases: (1) User authentication with the ISV, (2) Creation of trial instance with embedded access credentials, (3) Direct access to trial instance without corporation's login. This segmentation allows the security function to be separated from the access process, enabling secure controlled access while maintaining ease of use.
2Ease of operation
If ISVs provide unified trial access across all channels, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to different user needs and channels deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring trial instances with channel-specific properties and access credentials tailored to each access channel (e.g., mobile app, web browser, kiosk). Each trial instance can have customized authentication methods, interface configurations, and functional limitations appropriate to its intended access channel, while still being created through a unified process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts trial instance configurations based on the access channel detected or selected. The same trial creation mechanism can produce differently configured instances depending on whether the user accesses via mobile device, desktop browser, or other channel, allowing the system to be both simple to operate and highly adaptable.
3Reliability
If ISVs implement comprehensive user management and tracking, then reliability and control are improved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating trial instances that are essentially configured copies of the ISV's product with embedded access credentials and time limitations. Each trial instance is a self-contained copy that includes all necessary authentication and control information, eliminating the need for complex centralized management systems while maintaining full control and tracking capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods, apparatus, systems, and computer readable storage media for trials onboarding. A server may receive a request to generate a trial instance of an organization providing data and functionality for a period of time. Data on the request may also be stored. The trial instance may be selected from a template based on an access channel corresponding to the request.