Unified Application Workspace for Cross-Device SaaS Provisioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in managing the entitlement and provisioning of thin and SaaS applications across various client devices with diverse access channels, particularly in the context of shifting software development towards virtualized and cloud-based solutions, which complicates authentication and entitlement enforcement.
Innovation Solution
A centralized application-manager software authenticates users through a directory service, presenting a unified workspace with GUIs that include thin and SaaS applications, enabling single sign-on for SaaS applications and launching thin applications based on user selection, while integrating with directory services and enterprise systems for seamless provisioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional desktop application installation methods are used, then applications can be properly installed and configured, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming across multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the application installation and configuration process from individual devices and centralizes it in the cloud. Application manager software retrieves applications from a server, extracts them locally, and manages them centrally, eliminating the need for manual installation on each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an application manager software as an intermediary between the cloud server and client devices. This intermediary handles authentication, application retrieval, extraction, and provisioning, simplifying the deployment process across multiple devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple authentication methods are supported for different application types, then user access flexibility is improved, but authentication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal authentication system where a single application manager software handles multiple authentication types (SaaS, thin, remote applications) through a unified interface. The system determines the appropriate authentication method based on application type, providing flexibility without increasing user-facing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication system dynamically adapts to different application types. The application manager software determines the appropriate authentication method (SaaS provider authentication, thin application authentication, or remote application authentication) based on the specific application being accessed, making the system flexible and adaptable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If applications are accessed across multiple devices and channels, then user accessibility is improved, but entitlement management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The application manager software acts as an intermediary that centralizes entitlement management. It communicates with the server to determine user entitlements and automatically provisions appropriate applications on client devices, eliminating the need for manual entitlement management across multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service entitlement management where the application manager software automatically determines user entitlements, retrieves appropriate applications from the server, and provisions them on client devices without manual intervention. The system autonomously handles the complexity of cross-device entitlement management.
Data Source
AI summary
Application-manager software authenticates a user of a client device over a channel. The authentication operation is performed using a directory service. The application-manager software presents a plurality of applications in a GUI displayed by the client device. The plurality of applications depends on the authentication, the client device, and the channel. And the plurality of applications includes a thin application and a software-as-a-service (SaaS) application. The application-manager software receives a selection as to an application from the user. If the selection is for the SaaS application, the application-manager software provisions the SaaS application. The provision includes automatically logging the user onto an account with a provider of the SaaS application using a single sign-on and connecting the user to the account so that the user can interact with the SaaS application. If the selection is for the thin application, the application manager software launches the thin application.