Workflow Server Adaptation for Recurring Response Delays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing multiple devices within a security ecosystem requires in-depth knowledge of each device to configure workflows, leading to inefficiency and potential misconfiguration due to administrators lacking continuity across systems.
Innovation Solution
A workflow server that abstracts configuration by allowing administrators to connect triggers and actions independently across systems, with automated monitoring and recommendation of modifications to improve response times and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If administrators configure workflows manually in each system separately, then workflows can be implemented across multiple systems, but the complexity of configuration increases and administrators need in-depth knowledge of each system
Solution Approach 1:
A workflow server is introduced as an intermediary component that sits between multiple security systems (access control, video surveillance, radio communication). The server receives triggers from various systems, processes them through a unified workflow engine, and executes appropriate actions across different devices. This mediator abstracts the complexity of inter-system communication from administrators, allowing workflow configuration without requiring in-depth knowledge of each individual system's API and protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The workflow server provides a universal platform that can integrate and manage multiple types of security systems through a common interface. It supports various trigger types (door breaches, loitering detection, etc.) and action types (radio notifications, camera alerts, etc.) within a single unified system. This multi-functional approach allows administrators to configure workflows once and have them execute across multiple heterogeneous systems, eliminating the need for separate configuration in each system.
2Reliability
If administrators manually configure each workflow separately in different systems, then specific system requirements can be met, but time consumption increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The workflow server pre-processes and standardizes workflow configurations before execution. Administrators define workflows once in a user-friendly interface, and the server pre-configures the necessary system-specific parameters, APIs, and communication protocols. This preliminary action eliminates the need for administrators to manually configure each system separately, significantly reducing configuration time while maintaining reliability through automated parameter translation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates monitoring and feedback mechanisms that track workflow execution across all systems. The workflow server receives feedback from executed workflows and can detect issues such as failed notifications or timing problems. This feedback loop allows the system to automatically adjust configurations or alert administrators to issues, ensuring reliable workflow execution without requiring continuous manual intervention or reconfiguration.
3Ease of operation
If administrators need in-depth knowledge of each system to configure workflows, then proper system-specific configuration is achieved, but continuity across systems is lost and burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The workflow server acts as an intermediary that translates high-level workflow definitions into system-specific configurations. It maintains an internal knowledge base of all connected systems' APIs, protocols, and parameters, eliminating the need for administrators to memorize or track system-specific details. The server handles the complexity of information translation and storage, ensuring continuity of system knowledge within the server itself rather than requiring administrators to maintain it.
Solution Approach 2:
The workflow server creates virtual copies or abstractions of system interfaces that present a unified, simplified view to administrators. Instead of requiring direct interaction with multiple complex system APIs, the server provides standardized copy representations of system capabilities through a consistent interface. This copying approach preserves the functional behavior of each system while abstracting away the complexity, allowing administrators to work with simplified, consistent workflow definitions.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques for adapting workflows based on time to respond are provided. An electronic indication that a trigger has been detected by a sensor is received. The workflow server is configured to execute an action in a workflow in response to the trigger. An alert is sent to a device associated with a user to request a response from the user. Reception of the response is the action in the workflow. The response from the user is received. It is detected that a current response time for the trigger exceeds a threshold response time. A pattern that indicates response times for triggers of the trigger type recurrently exceed the threshold response time is detected. A proposed modification to the workflow or to a standard operating procedure (SOP) of an entity is generated. An electronic message is sent to a system administrator that recommends implementing the proposed modification.