Derived simulations for planning systems

• US 8,612,190 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2010
• Issued: 12/17/2013
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Shah, Kamini S
• Assistant Examiner(s): GUILL, RUSSELL L
• Application Number:
  US12/979,921
• Publication Number:
  US 20120166164A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 703/6
• 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 comprising:

at least one processor;

a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, when executed, are configured to implement,

a baseline generator configured to cause the at least one processor to generate baseline data including copying selected planning data from a planning database to produce the baseline data, the baseline data being a common data set used in generating two or more derived simulations including a first derived simulation and a second derived simulation, the first and second derived simulations occurring at different points in time with one or more changes to the planning data in the planning database in between the first derived simulation and the second derived simulation;

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

receive modifying requests associated with changes to the first derived simulation,

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

store simulation entries within a first 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 first derived simulation dataset and the affected entries within the baseline data;

a simulator configured to cause the at least one processor to provide the first derived simulation in response to the modifying requests and based on the mapping without affecting the baseline data,

wherein the simulator is further configured to cause the at least one processor to provide the second derived simulation based on the baseline data used to generate the first derived simulation and on secondary requests without affecting the baseline data, the second derived simulation including secondary affected entries mapped to secondary affected entries of the baseline data according to a secondary mapping;

a comparator configured to cause the at least one processor to provide a comparison between the first derived simulation and the second derived simulation; and

a locking module configured to cause the at least one processor to implement a shared memory for locking entries of the first derived simulation during concurrent usages of the first derived simulation including determining that an entry for an object to be locked is included within the simulation entries of the first derived simulation dataset without a reference to a corresponding original object in the baseline data, and applying the lock to the object found in the first derived simulation dataset.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the simulator is further configured to cause the at least one processor to provide the first 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 first 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 first derived simulation including receiving a viewing request for viewing a selected affected entry which is logically deleted within the first 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 first derived simulation including creating a new entry for inclusion within the first derived simulation based on the modifying request.

7. 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.

8. 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 first derived simulation, at least one empty container and associated identifier for the first derived simulation, for storage therein of the simulation entries and mapping data.

9. A computer-implemented method comprising:

generating baseline data including copying selected planning data from a planning database to produce the baseline data, the baseline data being a common data set used in generating two or more derived simulations including a first derived simulation and a second derived simulation, the first and second derived simulations occurring at different points in time with one or more changes to the planning data in the planning database in between the first derived simulation and the second derived simulation;

receiving modifying requests associated with changes to the first derived simulation;

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

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

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

providing the first derived simulation in response to the modifying requests and based on the mapping without affecting the baseline data;

providing the second derived simulation based on the baseline data used to generate the first derived simulation and on secondary requests without affecting the baseline data, the second derived simulation including secondary affected entries mapped to secondary affected entries of the baseline data according to a secondary mapping;

providing a comparison between the first derived simulation and the second derived simulation; and

implementing a shared memory for locking entries of the first derived simulation during concurrent usages of the first derived simulation including determining that an entry for an object to be locked is included within the simulation entries of the first derived simulation dataset without a reference to a corresponding original object in the baseline data, and applying the lock to the object found in the first derived simulation dataset.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing the first derived simulation including receiving a viewing request for viewing a selected affected entry, and providing the corresponding simulation entry based on the mapping.

11. A computer program product, the computer program product being tangibly embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium and comprising instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, are configured to perform operations including:

generate baseline data including copying selected planning data from a planning database to produce the baseline data, the baseline data being a common data set used in generating two or more derived simulations including a first derived simulation and a second derived simulation, the first and second derived simulations occurring at different points in time with one or more changes to the planning data in the planning database in between the first derived simulation and the second derived simulation;

receive modifying requests associated with changes to the first derived simulation;

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

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

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

provide the first derived simulation in response to the modifying requests and based on the mapping without affecting the baseline data,

provide the second derived simulation based on the baseline data used to generate the first derived simulation and on secondary requests without affecting the baseline data, the second derived simulation including secondary affected entries mapped to secondary affected entries of the baseline data according to a secondary mapping;

provide a comparison between the first derived simulation and the second derived simulation; and

implement a shared memory for locking entries of the first derived simulation during concurrent usages of the first derived simulation including determining that an entry for an object to be locked is included within the simulation entries of the first derived simulation dataset without a reference to a corresponding original object in the baseline data, and applying the lock to the object found in the first derived simulation dataset.

12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the baseline data is maintained in read-only form.

13. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the first 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.

14. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the first derived simulation is provided including receiving a viewing request for viewing a selected affected entry which is logically deleted within the first derived simulation, and providing the corresponding simulation entry based on the mapping and indicating non-existence of the requested entry.

15. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the first derived simulation is provided including creating a new entry for inclusion within the first derived simulation based on the modifying request.