Visual Representation of Software Application Functionality
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Standard business software customization processes are complex and costly, leading to increased total cost of ownership (TCO) and difficulties in identifying the source of unexpected output due to numerous customization steps, which can result in time-intensive troubleshooting.
Innovation Solution
A system that generates a visual representation of software application functionalities, including functional steps, data fields, and customization settings, allowing users to quickly understand the logical sequence and interactions within the software, thereby simplifying the customization process and reducing TCO.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard business software allows extensive customization to meet specific business needs, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the software system into distinct functional modules, each representing a specific business process or capability. This modular architecture allows customization at the module level without affecting the entire system, thereby improving adaptability while managing complexity through organized decomposition of the software structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a visual representation dimension that maps the logical sequence of functional steps and customization settings. This additional visual layer provides a new perspective on system complexity, allowing users to comprehend and navigate customized configurations more easily without increasing the actual system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If extensive customization is implemented in standard business software, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing visual representations of functional modules and their logical sequences before actual customization implementation. This allows stakeholders to review, understand, and approve the customization plan in advance, reducing rework and acceleration the implementation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual representation system provides continuous feedback during the customization process, showing how customization settings affect the logical sequence of functional steps. This immediate feedback mechanism helps identify potential issues early and enables faster decision-making, reducing overall implementation time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If numerous customization steps are added to software application, then adaptability is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a visual representation dimension that displays the logical sequence of functional steps and customization settings in an intuitive graphical format. This visual dimension makes it significantly easier to trace through customized workflows and identify the source of unexpected outputs, directly addressing the troubleshooting difficulty without reducing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual representation system uses color coding to differentiate between standard and customized functional steps, as well as to highlight unexpected outputs or errors. This visual differentiation enables rapid detection and measurement of customization issues, reducing troubleshooting difficulty while maintaining full customization capability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If extensive customization is performed on standard business software, then adaptability is improved, but total cost of ownership increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visual representation system enables end-users to independently review and understand their customization configurations without requiring consultant intervention. This self-service capability reduces the need for expensive consultant hours for troubleshooting and maintenance, thereby reducing total cost of ownership while preserving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides automated feedback mechanisms that help identify and resolve customization issues without external assistance. This reduces reliance on expensive consultant services for ongoing support and maintenance, lowering the total cost of ownership while maintaining the ability to perform extensive customizations.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of functional steps corresponding to a functional module of a software application may be determined. Data fields associated with each of the functional steps may be determined. A cardinality associated with each functional step and corresponding to the data fields of the functional step may be determined. A logical sequence of the functional steps including data fields may be determined. A visual representation of the functional module based on the logical sequence may be generated including the functional steps, data fields and cardinality.