Enterprise Product Management System and Method

Abstract

The embodiments described herein relate to providing a holistic data model representation of a product. Core product data corresponding to common characteristics associated with a product is stored as a core model. At least one extension entity is produced for the core model, including defining one or more extension rules under which each extension entity relates to the core model. A representation is assembled at run-time. The assembly includes autonomously integrating one or more applicable extension entities with the core model by identifying the applicable extension entities based on the extension rules.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for configuring a product management platform to provide a holistic data model representation of a product, the method comprising:
 storing core product data corresponding to common characteristics associated with a product as a core model;   producing at least one extension entity for the core model, including defining one or more extension rules under which each extension entity relates to the core model; and   assembling a representation at run-time, the assembly comprising autonomously integrating one or more applicable extension entities with the core model, including identifying the one or more applicable extension entities based on the extension rules.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising introducing a new product into the representation, the introduction of the new product comprising producing a new extension entity, and defining at least one new extension rule to associate the new extension entity with the core model. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the introduction of the new product further comprises changing a view of the core model. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein changing the view of the core model comprises transparently combining the core product data and each applicable extension into a single cohesive entity. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising producing one or more product configuration options for the core model, including defining one or more option rules under which each product configuration option is applicable, wherein each product configuration option supports customization of the product 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising determining at least one option value domain for each product configuration option, each option value domain having at least one option value domain rule, wherein each option value domain specifies allowable configuration values, and wherein each option value domain rule specifies at least one condition under which an option value domain is applicable. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising presenting the one or more product configuration options associated with a product selected at run-time, including:
 identifying one or more product configuration options for the selected product based on the option rules;   selecting an identified product configuration option and an applicable option value domain based on the at least one option value domain rule; and   presenting an interface based on the selected product configuration option and the applicable option value domain.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 identifying at least one change associated with the platform, wherein the at least one change is selected from the group consisting of: core entity change, extension entity change, rule change, and combinations thereof;   reviewing the at least one change, the review comprising;
 submitting the at least one identified change; 
 storing the submission for review and inspection; 
 certifying the stored submission for publication based on the review and inspection; and 
 publishing the submission to at least one external system, wherein the at least one change is propagated to the at least one external system; and 
   propagating the at least one reviewed change to an application.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising receiving a notification from each external system to confirm receipt of propagated data. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the external system is a search engine. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the submission is published based on an associated implementation date. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 configuring the product management platform with multi-distributor product fulfillment support, including:
 registering a plurality of distributors, the registration comprising assigning each distributor to a fulfillment adapter having a corresponding set of distributor rules; and 
 associating a product with at least one of the distributors; and 
   in response to receiving an order for the product, processing the received order, including:
 identifying at least one distributor associated with the product to handle the received order based on the sets of distributor rules; and 
 invoking the fulfillment adapter of each identified distributor, wherein invoking the fulfillment adapter transforms data to a format for communication to a service provider. 
   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising two or more adapters and each adapter transforming data to an appropriate format for an associated channel of trade. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising configuring the representation with a plurality of product providers associated with the product, including assigning the product to a partition accessible by at least one of the product providers, wherein the partition restricts access to the product in the partition by an unauthorized party. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing location based offer targeting, including assessing a geographic location associated with an offer request, and presenting at least one offer responsive to the assessment. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising dynamically accommodating a change to the geographic location. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the dynamic accommodation comprises presenting at least one updated offer in response to the location change. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising filtering the at least one offer based on a preference. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising representing product components based on the core model, and recursively assembling the product components to create the product. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising extending a function of the representation, including dynamically integrating an adapter with the model assembly. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the adapter is a workflow adapter, and further comprising tracking activities of members of a collaborative environment. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising creating a notification within the collaborative environment and selectively communicating the notification to one or more members within the environment. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising tracking an activity of a member of the environment, and issuing the notification responsive to the tracked activity. 
     
     
         24 . A system to configure a product management platform to provide a holistic data model representation of a product, the system comprising:
 a processor in communication with memory;   a functional unit in communication with the memory, the functional unit comprising one or more tools, the tools to:
 store core product data corresponding to common characteristics associated with a product as a core model; 
 produce at least one extension entity for the core model, including the tools to define one or more extension rules under which each extension entity relates to the core model; and 
 assemble a representation at run-time, the assembly comprising an autonomous integration of one or more applicable extension entities with the core model, including the tools to identify the one or more applicable extension entities based on the extension rules. 
   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , further comprising the tools to introduce a new product into the representation, the introduction of the new product comprising the tools to produce a new extension entity, and define at least one new extension rule to associate the new extension entity with the core model. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the introduction of the new product comprises the tools to change a view of the core model. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the change of the view of the core model further comprises the tools to transparently combine the core product data and each applicable extension into a single cohesive entity. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 24 , further comprising the tools to produce one or more product configuration options for the core model, including the tools to define one or more option rules under which each product configuration option is applicable, wherein each product configuration option supports customization of the product 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , further comprising the tools to determine at least one option value domain for each product configuration option, each option value domain having at least one option value domain rule, wherein each option value domain specifies allowable configuration values, and wherein each option value domain rule specifies at least one condition under which an option value domain is applicable. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , further comprising the tools to present the one or more product configuration options associated with a product selected at run-time, including the tools to:
 identify one or more product configuration options for the selected product based on the option rules;   select an identified product configuration option and an applicable option value domain based on the at least one option value domain rule; and   present an interface based on the selected product configuration option and the applicable option value domain.   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 24 , further comprising the tools to:
 identify at least one change associated with the platform, wherein the at least one change is selected from the group consisting of: core entity change, extension entity change, rule change, and combinations thereof;   review the at least one change, the review comprising the tools to;
 submit the at least one identified change; 
 store the submission for review and inspection; 
 certify the stored submission for publication based on the review and inspection; and 
 publish the submission to at least one external system, wherein the at least one change is propagated to the at least one external system; and 
   propagate the at least one reviewed change to an application.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , further comprising the tools to receive a notification from each external system to confirm receipt of propagated data. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the external system is a search engine. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the submission is published based on an associated implementation date. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 24 , further comprising the tools to:
 configure the product management platform with multi-distributor product fulfillment support, including the tools to:
 register a plurality of distributors, the registration comprising the tools to assign each distributor to a fulfillment adapter having a corresponding set of distributor rules; and 
 associate a product with at least one of the distributors; and 
   in response to receiving an order for the product, process the received order, including the tools to:
 identify at least one distributor associated with the product to handle the received order based on the sets of distributor rules; and 
 invoke the fulfillment adapter of each identified distributor, wherein invoking the fulfillment adapter transforms data to a format for communication to a service provider. 
   
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35 , further comprising two or more adapters and each adapter transforming data to an appropriate format for an associated channel of trade. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 24 , further comprising the tools to configure the representation with a plurality of product providers associated with the product, including the tools to assign the product to a partition accessible by at least one of the product providers, wherein the partition restricts access to the product in the partition by an unauthorized party. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 24 , further comprising the tools to provide location based offer targeting, including the tools to assess a geographic location associated with an offer request, and present at least one offer responsive to the assessment. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38 , further comprising the tools to dynamically accommodate a change to the geographic location. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the dynamic accommodation comprises the tools to present at least one updated offer in response to the location change. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 38 , further comprising the tools to filter the at least one offer based on a preference. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 24 , further comprising the tools to represent product components based on the core model, and recursively assemble the product components to create the product. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 24 , further comprising the tools to extend a function of the representation, including the tools to dynamically integrate an adapter with the model assembly. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the adapter is a workflow adapter, and further comprising the tools to track activities of members of a collaborative environment. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 44 , further comprising the tools to create a notification within the collaborative environment and selectively communicate the notification to one or more members within the environment. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 44 , further comprising the tools to track an activity of a member of the environment, and issue the notification responsive to the tracked activity. 
     
     
         47 . A computer program product to configure a product management platform to provide a holistic data model representation of a product, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage device having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code executable by a processor to:
 store core product data corresponding to common characteristics associated with a product as a core model;   produce at least one extension entity for the core model, including program code to define one or more extension rules under which each extension entity relates to the core model; and   assemble a representation at run-time, the assembly comprising an autonomous integration of one or more applicable extension entities with the core model, including program code to identify the one or more applicable extension entities based on the extension rules.   
     
     
         48 . The computer program product of  claim 47 , further comprising program code to introduce a new product into the representation, the introduction of the new product comprising program code to produce a new extension entity, and define at least one new extension rule to associate the new extension entity with the core model. 
     
     
         49 . The computer program product of  claim 48 , wherein the introduction of the new product comprises program code to change a view of the core model. 
     
     
         50 . The computer program product of  claim 49 , wherein the change of the view of the core model further comprises program code to transparently combine the core product data and each applicable extension into a single cohesive entity. 
     
     
         51 . The computer program product of  claim 47 , further comprising program code to produce one or more product configuration options for the core model, including program code to define one or more option rules under which each product configuration option is applicable, wherein each product configuration option supports customization of the product 
     
     
         52 . The computer program product of  claim 51 , further comprising program code to determine at least one option value domain for each product configuration option, each option value domain having at least one option value domain rule, wherein each option value domain specifies allowable configuration values, and wherein each option value domain rule specifies at least one condition under which an option value domain is applicable. 
     
     
         53 . The computer program product of  claim 52 , further comprising program code to present the one or more product configuration options associated with a product selected at run-time, including program code to:
 identify one or more product configuration options for the selected product based on the option rules;   select an identified product configuration option and an applicable option value domain based on the at least one option value domain rule; and   present an interface based on the selected product configuration option and the applicable option value domain.   
     
     
         54 . The computer program product of  claim 47 , further comprising program code to:
 identify at least one change associated with the platform, wherein the at least one change is selected from the group consisting of: core entity change, extension entity change, rule change, and combinations thereof;   review the at least one change, the review comprising program code to;
 submit the at least one identified change; 
 store the submission for review and inspection; 
 certify the stored submission for publication based on the review and inspection; and 
 publish the submission to at least one external system, wherein the at least one change is propagated to the at least one external system; and 
   propagate the at least one reviewed change to an application.   
     
     
         55 . The computer program product of  claim 54 , further comprising program code to receive a notification from each external system to confirm receipt of propagated data. 
     
     
         56 . The computer program product of  claim 54 , wherein the external system is a search engine. 
     
     
         57 . The computer program product of  claim 54 , wherein the submission is published based on an associated implementation date. 
     
     
         58 . The computer program product of  claim 47 , further comprising program code to:
 configure the product management platform with multi-distributor product fulfillment support, including program code to:
 register a plurality of distributors, the registration comprising program code to assign each distributor to a fulfillment adapter having a corresponding set of distributor rules; and 
 associate a product with at least one of the distributors; and 
   in response to receiving an order for the product, process the received order, including program code to:
 identify at least one distributor associated with the product to handle the received order based on the sets of distributor rules; and 
 invoke the fulfillment adapter of each identified distributor, wherein invoking the fulfillment adapter transforms data to a format for communication to a service provider. 
   
     
     
         59 . The computer program product of  claim 58 , further comprising two or more adapters and each adapter transforming data to an appropriate format for an associated channel of trade. 
     
     
         60 . The computer program product of  claim 47 , further comprising program code to configure the representation with a plurality of product providers associated with the product, including program code to assign the product to a partition accessible by at least one of the product providers, wherein the partition restricts access to the product in the partition by an unauthorized party. 
     
     
         61 . The computer program product of  claim 47 , further comprising program code to provide location based offer targeting, including program code to assess a geographic location associated with an offer request, and present at least one offer responsive to the assessment. 
     
     
         62 . The computer program product of  claim 61 , further comprising program code to dynamically accommodate a change to the geographic location. 
     
     
         63 . The computer program product of  claim 62 , wherein the dynamic accommodation comprises program code to present at least one updated offer in response to the location change. 
     
     
         64 . The computer program product of  claim 61 , further comprising program code to filter the at least one offer based on a preference. 
     
     
         65 . The computer program product of  claim 47 , further comprising program code to represent product components based on the core model, and recursively assemble the product components to create the product. 
     
     
         66 . The computer program product of  claim 47 , further comprising program code to extend a function of the representation, including program code to dynamically integrate an adapter with the model assembly. 
     
     
         67 . The computer program product of  claim 66 , wherein the adapter is a workflow adapter, and further comprising program code to track activities of members of a collaborative environment. 
     
     
         68 . The computer program product of  claim 67 , further comprising program code to create a notification within the collaborative environment and selectively communicate the notification to one or more members within the environment. 
     
     
         69 . The computer program product of  claim 67 , further comprising program code to track an activity of a member of the environment, and issue the notification responsive to the tracked activity.