Sharing business data across networked applications

• US 8,612,406 B1
• Filed: 05/22/2012
• Issued: 12/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Said, Bare, Eberlein, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHONG H
• Application Number:
  US13/477,956
• Publication Number:
  US 20130318061A1
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 707/704, 707/781, 707/944
• US Class Current: 707/704
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/1774 Locking methods, e.g. locking methods for file systems allowing shared and concurrent access to files
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2343 Locking methods, e.g. distributed locking or locking implementation details
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2365 Ensuring data consistency and integrity
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/252 between a Database Management System and a front-end application
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2147 Locking files
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/944 Business related

Abstract

The present disclosure describes methods, systems, and computer program products for sharing business data across networked applications. The method for sharing business data across networked applications can include receiving a request associated with data object instance via a first business application. The data object instance is of a specific data object type. A second business application is identified as an assigned master business application associated with the requested data object instance. The first business application and the second business application are based on a common application platform. Data associated with the requested data object instance is accessed at the second business application.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

receiving a request with a first business application, the request associated with a data object instance of a specific data object type assigned to a second business application, wherein the second application is a master business application;

identifying, by operation of a computer comprising at least one processor, the second business application as the assigned master business application associated with the requested data object instance, wherein the first business application and the second business application are based on a common application platform, and wherein the second business application locks the requested data object instance from modification by business applications other than the first business application and provides a data connection to the first business application; and

receiving access from the second business application to data associated with the requested data object instance, wherein the second business application;

opens the data connection between the first business application and the second business application;

permits access to the data object instance data; and

unlocks the data object instance upon termination of access by the first business application.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the master business application manages data instances of the type of the requested data object instance.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to providing access to the data, instantiating a new data object instance of the specific data object type at the second business application, wherein the request associated with the data object instance is a request to instantiate the data object instance.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein interacting is at least one of reading, updating, or deleting.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the master business application assignment is defined locally within the first business application.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the master business application assignment is modified from the second business application to a third business application, wherein the third business application is based on a common application platform.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, further comprising:

receiving a second request associated with a second data object instance via the first business application, wherein the second data object instance is of the specific data object type;

identifying the third business application as the assigned master business application associated with the requested second data object instance;

accessing data associated with the requested second data object instance at the third business application.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein further comprising:

locking the data object instances of the type of the requested data object instance at the second business application;

migrating the locked data object instances to the third business application; and

updating metadata at the first business application, the second business application, and the third business application to refer to data object instances at the third business application.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the data object instances comprise business object instances.

10. A computer-accessible, non-transitory, storage medium encoded with computer-readable instructions configured to cause one or more data processing apparatus to perform operations comprising:

receiving a request with a first business application, the request associated with a data object instance of a specific data object type assigned to a second business application, wherein the second application is a master business application;

identifying the second business application as the assigned master business application associated with the requested data object instance, wherein the first business application and the second business application are based on a common application platform, and wherein the second business application locks the requested data object instance from modification by business applications other than the first business application and provides a data connection to the first business application; and

receiving access from the second business application to data associated with the requested data object instance, wherein the second business application;

opens the data connection between the first business application and the second business application;

permits access to the data object instance data; and

unlocks the data object instance upon termination of access by the first business application.

11. The computer storage medium of claim 10, wherein the master business application manages data instances of the type of the requested data object instance.

12. The computer storage medium of claim 10, further comprising instructions that when executed by one or more computers cause the one or more computers to perform operations comprising, prior to accessing the data, instantiating a new data object instance of the specific data object type at the second business application, wherein the request associated with the data object instance is a request to instantiate the data object instance.

13. The computer storage medium of claim 10, wherein the master business application assignment is defined locally within the first business application.

14. The computer storage medium of claim 13, wherein the master business application assignment is modified from the second business application to a third business application, wherein the third business application is based on a common application platform.

15. A system comprising:

memory configured to store a data object; and

at least one hardware processor interoperably coupled to the memory and configured to perform operations comprising;

receiving a request with a first business application, the request associated with a data object instance of a specific data object type assigned to a second business application, wherein the second application is a master business application;

identifying the second business application as the assigned master business application associated with the requested data object instance, wherein the first business application and the second business application are based on a common application platform, and wherein the second business application locks the requested data object instance from modification by business applications other than the first business application and provides a data connection to the first business application; and

providing access to data associated with the requested data object instance at the second business application, wherein prior to providing the access to data, instantiating a new data object instance of the specific data object type at the second business application, wherein the request associated with the data object instance is a request to instantiate the data object instance.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the master business application manages data instances of the type of the requested data object instance.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the second business application:

opens the data connection between the first business application and the second business application;

permits access to the data object instance data; and

unlocks the data object instance upon termination of access by the first business application.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the master business application assignment is defined locally within the first business application.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the master business application assignment is modified from the second business application to a third business application, wherein the third business application is based on a common application platform.