System and method for using external references to validate a data object's classification / consolidation

• US 8,180,779 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2005
• Issued: 05/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Horowitz, Yoram, Malamud, Avi
• Primary Examiner(s): CHEMPAKASERIL, ANN J
• Application Number:
  US11/322,381
• Publication Number:
  US 20070162414A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,328 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 707/740
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/355 Class or cluster creation or modification
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/948 Product or catalog

Abstract

A computer system and method for validating data object classification and consolidation using external references. The external references may be web pages, product catalogs, external databases, URLs, search results provided by a search engine or subsets or combinations of any of these to validate a classification or consolidation of records. Embodiments validate a data object classification or consolidation decision by searching external data sources, such as databases, the Internet etc. for references to the transactional data object and determining a confidence level based on the original data object and the unstructured information reference, URL, or search result for example. Decisions may be verified or denied based on the comparison of the external references related to each data object. Embodiments of the invention save substantial labor in validating business data objects and make data more reliable across enterprise systems.

Claims

1. A method for using external references to validate at least one data object consolidation comprising:

obtaining a first data object associated with a first product in a computer system of an organization;

searching external objects for said first data object using an Internet search engine to return a first external reference list comprising external data objects external to said organization, wherein said first external reference list comprises a first hyperlink to a first webpage;

obtaining a second data object associated with a second product in said computer system;

searching external data objects for said second data object using said Internet search engine to return a second external reference list comprising external data objects external to said organization, wherein said second external reference list comprises a second hyperlink to a second webpage;

obtaining the first hyperlink said first external reference list associated with said data object from said searching for said first data object;

obtaining the second hyperlink in said second external reference list associated with said second data object from said searching for said second data object;

comparing a first item from said first webpage to a second item from said second webpage to determine a match between said first product and said second product based on said external data objects based on similarity;

generating a validation confidence level of said match;

accepting an input consolidation confidence level;

affirming a consolidation decision of said first data object and said second data object if said validation confidence level compared to said input consolidation confidence level is within a threshold, wherein said match comprises a determination that said first product is identical to said second product; and

consolidating said first data object and said second data object in accordance with said consolidation decision.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

accepting an input classification confidence level; and

,

affirming a classification decision to classify said second data object as a first classification associated with said first data object if said validation confidence level compared to said input classification confidence level is within an acceptable threshold,

wherein said match comprises determining a same classification for said first data object and said second data object.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

accepting an input classification confidence level; and

,

repudiating a classification decision to classify said second data object as a first classification associated with said first data object if said validation confidence level compared to said input classification confidence level is beyond a threshold,

wherein said match comprises determining a same classification for said first data object and said second data object.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

accepting an input consolidation confidence level; and

,

repudiating a consolidation decision of said first data object and said second data object if said validation confidence level compared to said input consolidation confidence level is beyond an acceptable threshold,

wherein said match comprises a determination that said first product is identical to said second product.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said comparing comprises correlating elements between said first external reference list and said second external reference list.

6. The method of claim 1 further wherein said comparing comprising a calculating a number of elements in common between said first external reference list and said second external reference list.

7. The method of claim 1 further wherein a first Uniform Resource Locator and a first unstructured text from said first external reference list and a second Uniform Resource Locator and a second unstructured text from said second external reference list comprise text from a search result provided by said Internet search engine.

8. A computer program product for validating data object classification and consolidation using external reference lists comprising:

a computer readable program code embodied in a computer system, having a processor and a memory, of an organization wherein said computer readable program code comprises a validation module that is configured to;

obtain a first data object associated with a first product;

search external data objects for said first data object using an Internet search engine to find a first external reference list, wherein said first external reference list comprises a first hyperlink to a first webpage, and wherein said external data objects are external to said organization;

obtain a second data object associated with a second product;

search external data objects for said second data object using said Internet search engine to find a second external reference list, wherein said second external reference list comprises a second hyperlink to a second webpage, and wherein said external data objects are external to said organization;

obtain the first hyperlink in said first external reference list associated with said first data object from said search for said first data object;

obtain the second hyperlink in said second external reference list associated with said second data object from said search for said second data object;

traverse said first hyperlink to retrieve said first webpage;

traverse said second hyperlink to retrieve said second webpage;

compare a first item of said first webpage and a second item from said second webpage to determine a match between said first product and said second product based on said external data objects;

generate a validation confidence level of said match based on said similarity;

accept an input consolidation confidence level;

affirm a consolidation decision of said first data object and said second data object if said validation confidence level compared to said input consolidation confidence level is within a threshold, wherein said match comprises a determination that said first product is identical to said second product; and

consolidate said first data object and said second data object in accordance with said consolidation decision.

9. The computer program product of claim 8 wherein said computer readable program code is further configured to:

accept an input classification confidence level; and

,

affirm a classification decision to classify said second data object as a first classification associated with said first data object if said validation confidence level compared to said input classification confidence level is within a threshold,

wherein said match comprises determining a same classification for said first data object and said second data object.

10. The computer program product of claim 8 wherein said computer readable program code is further configured to:

accept an input classification confidence level; and

,

repudiate a classification decision to classify said second data object as a first classification associated with said first data object if said validation confidence level compared to said input classification confidence level is beyond a threshold,

wherein said match comprises determining a same classification for said first data object and said second data object.

11. The computer program product of claim 8 wherein said computer readable program code is further configured to:

accept an input consolidation confidence level; and

,

repudiate a consolidation decision of said first data object and said second data object if said validation confidence level compared to said input consolidation confidence level is beyond a threshold,

wherein said match comprises a determination that said first product is identical to said second product.

12. The computer program product of claim 8 wherein said compare is configured to correlate elements between said first external reference list and said second external reference list.

13. The computer program product of claim 8 wherein said compare is configured to calculate a number of elements in common between said first external reference list and said second external reference list.

14. The computer program product of claim 8 wherein a first Uniform Resource Locator and a first unstructured text and a second Uniform Resource Locator and second unstructured text comprise text from a search result provided by said Internet search engine.