System and method for managing application integration utilizing a network device

• US 20020120786A1
• Filed: 12/04/2001
• Published: 08/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: CommerceRoute, Inc.
• Original Assignee: CommerceRoute, Inc.
• Inventors: Chu, Shung-Yang Frank, Nordberg, Per Henrik, Shakked, Orr, Sehayek, Ilan, Mendez, Carlos, Rotem, Doron
• Application Number:
  US10/006,804
• Publication Number:
  US 20020120786A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 719/310
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

A system and method for providing application integration are provided. A network device having application integration functionality is configured such that the network device is accessible, configurable and maintainable through a network connection. The network device is integrated into organizational networks by end users via web page interfaces and network capable client-side interfaces that allow system users and administrators to manage the system. Additionally, the network device is accessible via a network for providing updates, upgrades, and integration templates and proactively maintaining the network device. The network device is then utilized to provide a variety of application integration functionality.

Claims

1. A network device for providing a data interchange between two or more software applications connected to the network, the device comprising:

a processor operable to execute computer-readable instructions;

a mass memory including one or more computer-readable components operable to process data from one or more software applications;

a network interface in communication with a communication network interface operable to obtain data from one or more transmitting software applications and transmit processed data to one or more receiving software applications;

wherein the network device does not include any input devices or display devices for control.

2. The network device as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer-readable components include a workflow component operable to schedule and execute workflows between the two or more software applications.

3. The network device as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer-readable components include a message distribution component operable transmit messages between the two or more software applications.

4. The network device as recited in claim 3, wherein the data interchange interface is a graphical user interface.

5. The network device as recited in claim 4, wherein the graphical user interface is a Web-based graphical user interface.

6. The network device as recited in claim 1, wherein the network interface is further operable to generate one or more interfaces for configuring the network device to the communication network.

7. The network device as recited in claim 6, wherein the one or more interfaces include a graphical user interface for configuring the communication settings for the network device.

8. The network device as recited in claim 7, wherein the graphical user interface is operable to designate a network I.P. address.

9. The network device as recited in claim 1 further comprising an LCD display for configuring the acceptance of a memory device, the memory device for loading system initialization information.

10. The network device as recited in claim 1, wherein the network interface is further operable to communicate with an external maintenance service to obtain maintenance information.

11. The network device as recited in claim 10, wherein the maintenance information update, upgrade and integration templates.

13. The data interchange system as recited in claim 12, wherein the data interchange system includes two or more network devices, wherein each networked device is configured to a particular data interchange function.

14. The data interchange system as recited in claim 13, wherein one of the two or more network devices is dedicated to primarily data computation.

15. The data interchange system as recited in claim 12, wherein the data interchange system includes two or more network devices and wherein a first network device and a second network device are connected in parallel.

16. The data interchange system as recited in claim 15, wherein the first and second network devices distribute all processing tasks.

17. The data interchange system as recited in claim 12, wherein the network device is further operable to obtain software updates from a remote third party and implement the updates without providing access to the software to the computing device.

18. The data interchange system as recited in claim 17, wherein the remote third party is further operable to transmit integration templates.

19. The data interchange system as recited in claim 17, wherein the remote third party is further operable to transmit software upgrades.

20. The data interchange system as recited in claim 12, wherein the user interface for configuring the network device is a graphical user interface.

21. The data interchange system as recited in claim 20, wherein the graphical user interface is a Web-based graphical user interface.

12. A data interchange system, the system comprising:

one or more computing devices, each computing device including at least one software application operable to transmit and receive data;

one or more network devices connected to a communication network, wherein the network device is operable to generate a user interface for configuring the network device to the data interchange system and wherein the network device does not include a display device; and

at least one computing device having a browser thereon, the computing device remote from the network device and operable to display the user interface for configuring the network device.

22. A network device for providing a data interchange between two or more software applications connected to the network, the device comprising:

a processor operable to execute computer-readable instructions;

means for providing software integration;

network interface means for obtaining data from one or more software applications and transmitting processed data;

wherein the network device does not include any input devices or display devices for control.

23. The network device as recited in claim 22, wherein the means for providing software integration include a workflow component operable to schedule and execute workflows between the two or more software applications.

24. The network device as recited in claim 22, wherein the means for providing data integration includes a message distribution component operable transmit messages between the two or more software applications.

25. The network device as recited in claim 22, wherein the data interchange interface is a graphical user interface.

26. The network device as recited in claim 25, wherein the graphical user interface is a Web-based graphical user interface.

27. The network device as recited in claim 22, wherein the network interface means is further operable to generate one or more interfaces for configuring the network device to a network.

28. The network device as recited in claim 27, wherein the one or more interfaces include a graphical user interface for configuring the communication settings for the network device.

29. The network device as recited in claim 28, wherein the graphical user interface is operable to designate a network I.P. address.

30. The network device as recited in claim 22 further comprising display means for configuring the acceptance of a memory device, the memory device for loading system initialization information.

31. The network device as recited in claim 22, wherein the network interface is further operable to communicate with an external maintenance service to obtain maintenance information.

32. The network device as recited in claim 31, wherein the maintenance information update, upgrade and integration templates.