Virtual Integration Event Simulator for Order Workflow Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing order entry and management systems face challenges in efficiently processing workflows, especially during system integration and when dealing with diverse formats and protocols, necessitating enhanced simulation capabilities to test order scenarios and identify potential failure points.
Innovation Solution
A virtual integration event simulator (VIES) is deployed between an enterprise service bus (ESB) and a business process management system (BPMS), which generates simulated orders using event log data from completed real orders to initiate and test workflows, allowing for the simulation of order scenarios without disrupting real order processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If real orders are processed through the ESB and BPMS for fulfillment, then actual customer services are delivered, but the system cannot simultaneously test workflows without disrupting real order processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates simulated orders that replicate the structure and workflow of real orders using event log data from previously completed orders. These simulated orders copy the essential characteristics and processing paths of real orders, enabling comprehensive workflow testing without using actual customer orders. The simulated orders include all necessary fields, tasks, and interactions to validate the complete order fulfillment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary layer between the ESB and BPMS that intercepts and routes simulated orders. This intermediary component allows simulated orders to be injected into the workflow at the ESB level, processed through the BPMS, and then disposed of without affecting real order processing. The intermediary enables parallel operation of testing and production workflows.
2Reliability
If simulated orders are injected into the ESB-BPMS workflow to test scenarios, then workflow failures can be identified, but differentiating simulated orders from real orders becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by adding specific simulated order identifiers to simulated orders at the data level without changing the overall order structure. These identifiers are embedded in specific fields of the order data, allowing the BPMS and other system components to process simulated and real orders through the same workflow paths while enabling differentiation when needed for testing purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes certain parameters of simulated orders, specifically adding simulated order identifiers and modifying order status tracking, while keeping other parameters identical to real orders. This selective parameter modification enables the system to track and differentiate simulated orders without fundamentally altering the order processing logic or workflow behavior.
3Reliability
If comprehensive workflow testing is performed with multiple simulated scenarios, then system reliability improves, but the time and resources required for testing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating simulated orders from event log data of previously completed real orders. These simulated orders are prepared in advance with all necessary data, identifiers, and workflow parameters already configured. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid execution of multiple test scenarios without requiring time-consuming manual setup for each test case.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous testing by maintaining a pool of simulated orders that can be executed sequentially or in parallel. As simulated orders are processed and completed, new simulated orders are generated from additional event log data, ensuring that testing operations continue without interruption. This continuous action maximizes testing throughput and minimizes idle time between test scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
An order entry and order management network is disclosed. Event log data associated with a completed real order and relevant to a scenario is accessed by a computing device. A template is built for the scenario using the event log data. The template is modified as needed based upon predetermined specifications of the scenario. A simulated order is generated by applying the event log data to the template. A simulated workflow is initiated based upon the simulated order. The simulated workflow is a virtualized workflow monitored by the computing device to test the scenario. The computing device monitors network traffic associated with orders. The computing device communicates aspects of the event log data to systems of the order entry and order management network when the computing device identifies network traffic associated with the simulated order in order to process the simulated workflow and test the scenario.