DERIVED SIMULATIONS FOR PLANNING SYSTEMS

• US 20120166164A1
• Filed: 12/28/2010
• Published: 06/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Reusch, Hans-Georg, Soehner, Volkmar, Wiethoff, Andreas
• Granted Patent: US 8,612,190 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 703/6
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/04 Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem" market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities G06Q30/0202

Abstract

Baseline data may be generated, including copying selected data from a planning database. Modifying requests associated with changes to a derived simulation may be received, and affected entries within the baseline data that are affected by the modifying requests may be determined. Simulation entries may be stored within a derived simulation dataset, the simulation entries corresponding to the affected entries within the baseline data. A mapping may be provided between the simulation entries within the derived simulation dataset and the affected entries within the baseline data. The derived simulation may be provided in response to the modifying requests and based on the mapping.

Claims

1. A system including instructions recorded on a computer-readable medium and executable by at least one processor of one or more computing devices, the system comprising:

a baseline generator configured to cause the processor to generate baseline data including copying selected data from a planning database;

an interface mapper configured to cause the at least one processor to

receive modifying requests associated with changes to a derived simulation,

determine affected entries within the baseline data that are affected by the modifying requests,

store simulation entries within a derived simulation dataset, the simulation entries corresponding to the affected entries within the baseline data, and

provide a mapping between the simulation entries within the derived simulation dataset and the affected entries within the baseline data; and

a simulator configured to cause the at least one processor to provide the derived simulation in response to the modifying requests and based on the mapping.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the simulator is further configured to cause the at least one processor to provide the derived simulation in response to a viewing request specifying non-affected entries within the baseline data.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the baseline data is maintained in read-only form.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the simulator is further configured to cause the at least one processor to provide the derived simulation including receiving a viewing request for viewing a selected affected entry, and providing the corresponding simulation entry based on the mapping.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the simulator is further configured to cause the at least one processor to provide the derived simulation including receiving a viewing request for viewing a selected affected entry which is logically deleted within the derived simulation, and providing the corresponding simulation entry based on the mapping and indicating non-existence of the requested entry.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the simulator is further configured to cause the at least one processor to provide the derived simulation including creating a new entry for inclusion within the derived simulation based on the modifying request.

7. The system of claim 1, comprising a locking module configured to cause the at least one processor to implement a shared memory for locking entries of the derived simulation during concurrent usages of the derived simulation.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the interface mapper includes a baseline selector configured to cause the at least one processor to define the baseline data within the planning database for the baseline generator, based on user input.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the simulator is further configured to cause the at least one processor to provide a second derived simulation based on the baseline data and on second requests, the second derived simulation including second affected entries mapped to second affected entries of the baseline data according to a second mapping.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a comparator configured to cause the at least one processor to provide a comparison between the derived simulation and the second derived simulation.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the interface mapper is configured to cause the at least one processor to create, in response to a creation request for the derived simulation, at least one empty container and associated identifier for the derived simulation, for storage therein of the simulation entries and mapping data.

12. A computer-implemented method comprising:

generating baseline data including copying selected data from a planning database;

receiving modifying requests associated with changes to a derived simulation;

determining affected entries within the baseline data that are affected by the modifying requests;

storing simulation entries within a derived simulation dataset, the simulation entries corresponding to the affected entries within the baseline data;

providing a mapping between the simulation entries within the derived simulation dataset and the affected entries within the baseline data; and

providing the derived simulation in response to the modifying requests and based on the mapping.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing the derived simulation including receiving a viewing request for viewing a selected affected entry, and providing the corresponding simulation entry based on the mapping.

14. A computer program product, the computer program product being tangibly embodied on a computer-readable medium and comprising instructions that, when executed, are configured to:

generate baseline data including copying selected data from a planning database;

receive modifying requests associated with changes to a derived simulation;

determine affected entries within the baseline data that are affected by the modifying requests;

store simulation entries within a derived simulation dataset, the simulation entries corresponding to the affected entries within the baseline data;

provide a mapping between the simulation entries within the derived simulation dataset and the affected entries within the baseline data; and

provide the derived simulation in response to the modifying requests and based on the mapping.

15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the baseline data is maintained in read-only form.

16. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the derived simulation is provided including receiving a viewing request for viewing a selected affected entry, and providing the corresponding simulation entry based on the mapping.

17. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the derived simulation is provided including receiving a viewing request for viewing a selected affected entry which is logically deleted within the derived simulation, and providing the corresponding simulation entry based on the mapping and indicating non-existence of the requested entry.

18. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the derived simulation is provided including creating a new entry for inclusion within the derived simulation based on the modifying request.

19. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the derived simulation is provided including a shared memory for locking entries of the derived simulation during concurrent usages of the derived simulation.

20. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein a comparison is provided between the derived simulation and a second derived simulation that is based on a second mapping between second affected entries of the baseline data and second corresponding simulation entries within the second derived simulation.