Portal for implementation of multiple software components

• US 7,921,023 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2002
• Issued: 04/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Theiss, Guenther, Erhardt, Michael, Hack, Stefan, Wolf, Werner, Blattner, Guenter
• Primary Examiner(s): Jeanty; Romain
• Assistant Examiner(s): Singh; Gurkanwaljit
• Application Number:
  US10/233,321
• Publication Number:
  US 20030126050A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,140 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 714/38.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/20 Software design
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0203 Market surveys; Market polls
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes

Abstract

In certain embodiments, a system and method of receiving data indicates one or more software components included in a user'"'"'s system landscape, receives a user'"'"'s selection of a software component to be managed or customized, accesses the software component in response to the user'"'"'s selection, receives a user'"'"'s input relating to an alteration to be made to a feature or setting of the software component, and modifies one or more files associated with the software component to reflect the alteration.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method, performed by a processor executing instructions, for providing a portal for implementation of multiple software components, the method comprising:

installing a portal on a server device in a computer system, the portal accessible from each of multiple client devices in the computer system for customizing multiple software components and implementing the software components on any of the multiple client devices;

performing a project preparation phase on the server device in which the portal interacts with at least one of the client devices to receive first user-provided information for an implementation project;

determining and storing on the server device, based on the first user-provided information, a definition of the implementation project, system landscape information identifying the multiple software components for the implementation project, and multiple pre-configured practice processes for the implementation project;

performing a business blueprint creation phase on the server device in which the portal interacts with the client device to receive second user-provided information;

generating and storing on the server device, based on the second user-provided information, a business blueprint that documents;

requirements for the defined implementation project, a selection of at least one of the multiple pre-configured practice processes, and a development system landscape definition that includes the identified software component;

performing a realization phase on the server device that includes configuring the identified software components according to the selected pre-configured practice process, and evaluating consistency of the identified software components according to the requirements;

performing a preparation phase on the server device that includes setting up the system landscape including the identified software components according to the development system landscape definition, and transferring data to at least one of the multiple client devices;

performing a release and support phase on the server device that includes releasing the identified software component and providing support;

wherein the configuration performed in the realization phase involves receiving user-entered information defining or modifying one or more transactions of the software components for the project, receiving user-entered information defining a baseline customization of one or more software components using predefined content, and fine tuning the baseline customization using software with other predefined content; and

wherein defining the baseline customization includes displaying the predefined content, executing the software components using the predefined content and comparing to an existing customization, and receiving user-entered information documenting current configuration settings.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the project definition involves receiving user-entered general project data, resource assignment information and project standard information.

3. The method of claim 1, where definition of the system landscape involves receiving user-entered information about the software components, and receiving user-entered information about a system for use in the testing of the implemented solution.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the creation of the business blueprint involves receiving user-entered information selecting a business scenario of preconfigured best practices, receiving user-entered information for the requirements, and receiving user-entered information modifying at least one process step or software component.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein setting up the development system landscape involves activating software on the development system landscape, providing user access to documentation for setting up the development system landscape, and receiving user-entered parameters setting up the development system landscape.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein fine tuning the baseline customization includes receiving user-entered information that completes customization of at least one process step of the multiple software components, and wherein documenting the current configuration settings includes the user assigning one or more activities to the process step.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein setting up the system landscape for production includes activating software on the production system landscape, providing user access to documentation on setting up the system landscape for production, and receiving user-entered parameters for setting up the system landscape for production.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the data transfer includes activating software for data transfer and data migration, and receiving user-entered information for a cutover checklist.

9. A computer program product tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage medium and comprising instructions that when executed by a processor perform a method for providing a portal for implementation of multiple software components, the method comprising:

providing, on a server device in a computer system, a tool for customizing one or more of multiple software components and implementing the software component on any of multiple client devices in the computer system;

providing, on the server device, a portal for the tool that is accessible from each of the multiple client devices, the portal allowing access to content, software tools and implementation methodologies of the tool;

performing a project preparation phase using the tool, the project preparation phase being initiated for a project using at least one of the client devices and involving project definition, definition of a system landscape and installation of the content;

performing a business blueprint creation phase using the tool, the business blueprint creation phase being initiated using the client device and involving creation of a business blueprint that documents requirements for the project and setting up a development system landscape for the project;

performing a realization phase using the tool, the realization phase involving configuration of at least one of the software components using the content, consistency checking and testing of an implemented solution;

performing a preparation phase using the tool, the preparation phase involving setting up the system landscape for production, performing data transfer and conducting end user training;

performing a release and support phase using the tool, the release and support phase involving release of the multiple software components and providing support;

wherein the configuration performed in the realization phase involves receiving user-entered information defining or modifying one or more transactions of the software components for the project, receiving user-entered information defining a baseline customization of one or more software components using predefined content, and fine tuning the baseline customization using software with other predefined content; and

wherein defining the baseline customization includes displaying the predefined content, executing the software components using the predefined content and comparing to an existing customization, and receiving user-entered information documenting current configuration settings.

10. A computer system comprising:

a server device including at least one computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that when executed by one or more processors perform operations for providing a tool for customizing one or more of multiple software components and implementing the software component on any of multiple client devices, and a portal for the tool that is accessible from each of the multiple client devices, the portal allowing access to content, software tools and implementation methodologies of the tool;

wherein the tool is configured to perform a project preparation phase, the project preparation phase being initiated for a project using at least one of the client devices and involving project definition, definition of a system landscape and installation of the content;

wherein the tool is configured to perform a business blueprint creation phase, the business blueprint creation phase being initiated using the client device and involving creation of a business blueprint that documents requirements for the project and setting up a development system landscape for the project;

wherein the tool is configured to perform a realization phase, the realization phase involving configuration of at least one of the software components using the content, consistency checking and testing of an implemented solution;

wherein the tool is configured to perform a preparation phase, the preparation phase involving setting up the system landscape for production, performing data transfer and conducting end user training;

wherein the tool is configured to perform a release and support phase, the release and support phase involving release of the multiple software components and providing support;

wherein the configuration performed in the realization phase involves receiving user-entered information defining or modifying one or more transactions of the software components for the project, receiving user-entered information defining a baseline customization of one or more software components using predefined content, and fine tuning the baseline customization using software with other predefined content; and

wherein defining the baseline customization includes displaying the predefined content, executing the software components using the predefined content and comparing to an existing customization, and receiving user-entered information documenting current configuration settings.