Virtual User Automation for Incompatible Software Workflows
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems require extensive planning and implementation cycles for operational changes, often involving manual intervention by operational staff, leading to inefficiency, inaccuracy, and potential security risks when integrating incompatible software applications or handling sensitive information.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing virtual users configured to interact with applications and databases to execute automated processes, providing scalability, security, and consistency, with virtual machines hosted on computers and managed by application servers to handle tasks typically performed by humans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If operational staff are used to bridge gaps between incompatible software applications, then processes can be executed, but the system is slow, error-prone, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation through virtual users that automatically execute processes between incompatible applications without human intervention. The virtual users independently navigate, input data, and extract information from legacy systems, eliminating the need for operational staff to manually bridge system gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical human-operated process with an automated computer-based system. Virtual users simulate human interactions with graphical user interfaces, substituting manual keyboard and mouse operations with automated script-driven actions that execute at machine speed without fatigue or error.
2Reliability
If traditional enterprise system planning is used for operational changes, then systems can be integrated, but the implementation cycle is long and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring virtual users with automated scripts that encapsulate complex integration logic. These virtual users are ready to execute immediately, eliminating the need for lengthy planning and testing cycles associated with traditional system integration projects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating virtual user instances that replicate human operational patterns. These virtual copies execute standardized processes across multiple systems, providing reliable integration through consistent, repeatable actions rather than custom-developed system connections.
3Productivity
If operational staff manually transfer information between systems, then data can be moved, but errors occur and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual user system performs self-service data transfer by automatically navigating applications, extracting information, and inputting data into target systems. This eliminates human error in data transcription and removes security risks associated with manual handling of sensitive information by operational staff.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual users as intermediaries between incompatible systems. These virtual users act as secure, controlled mediators that transfer data through automated processes, eliminating direct human access to sensitive systems while maintaining data integrity through consistent, auditable operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If more operational staff are trained to handle demand fluctuations, then capacity increases, but training time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic scalability by allowing virtual users to be rapidly deployed or removed based on demand. Virtual user instances can be created, activated, or deactivated instantly without training requirements, enabling the system to adapt to fluctuating workloads while maintaining constant operational readiness.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a system for automating processes, the system comprising at least one computer configured to provide at least one virtual user which interacts with applications and/or documents to run at least one automated process. There is also provided a method of running automated processes, the method comprising the steps of providing at least one computer and providing at least one virtual user on the at least one computer which interacts with applications and/or documents to execute at least one automated process.