Third-party customization of a configuration file

• US 20070294669A1
• Filed: 06/20/2006
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intuit, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intuit, Inc.
• Inventors: Robalewski, Randy, Rainwater, Michael J., Pfeiffer, Jefrey Owen
• Granted Patent: US 7,904,899 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/120
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files

Abstract

Systems and methods for customizing a configuration file. A system includes a configuror client that generates and exports a configuration file, a configuration sharing server that makes the configuration file assessable, and a configuree client that imports the configuration file. The configuration sharing server provides a community-based collection of configuration files for access by the public or by a specific organization. The configuree client can detect when a new profile is being used (e.g., the first time that the financial management application is executed after installation). In response, the configuration client begins an interview process for customizing the financial management application (e.g., by presenting a series of user interfaces). Part of the interview process allows an end-user to select a particular configuration file stored on the configuration sharing client or on a local memory device.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for customizing a configuration file, the method comprising:

executing a first application;

responsive to the execution being an initial execution of a new profile for the first application, presenting a configuration script that is configured to receive user settings for the new profile;

selecting a configuration file for the new profile, the configuration file being exported from a second application and including data that defines a set of default settings to pre-configure at least a portion of the configuration script; and

storing results of the configuration script as a new configuration file, the new configuration file configured to customize the first application during execution.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the configuration file occurs prior to presenting the configuration script, and wherein the configuration script is pre-configured in accordance with the configuration file.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration file data comprises business rules that affects data processing.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration file comprises a chart of accounts.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration file is associated with an organization, and the user configuration file is associated with a member of the organization.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration file is associated with an accountant, and the user configuration file is associated with a configuror client of the accountant.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration file is generated by a configuror client and uploaded to a configuration sharing server.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration file comprises at least one of a command, a value, and an executable.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

requesting user settings to supplement the default settings of the configuration file,

wherein storing results of the configuration script includes storing results of the user settings and default settings.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration script comprises one or more user interfaces to enter settings for the configuration file.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first application comprises a first financial management application and the second application comprises a second financial management application.

12. A computer-implemented method for customizing a configuration file, the method comprising:

receiving, at a first client, default settings that represent standards for an organization to generate a configuration file, the configuration file including data to pre-configure at least a portion of a configuration script for a profile of an application; and

receiving, at a second client, the configuration file, responsive to executing the configuration script for setting-up a new profile, the new profile associated with a member of the organization.

13. A computer-implemented method for customizing a configuration file, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of configuration files from a plurality of clients that are coupled in communication through a network, each configuration file being set up to customize user settings of a profile of an application during an initial execution;

sharing the plurality of configuration files with one or more of the plurality of clients; and

sending a configuration file responsive to a selection of a configuration file.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the configuration file comprises a chart of accounts.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the configuration file data 2 comprises business rules that affects data processing.

16. A system for customizing a configuration file, comprising:

a configuree client to execute a first application, the configure client comprising;

an interview module to, responsive to the execution being an initial execution of a new profile for the first application, present a configuration script that is configured to receive user settings for the new profile, the interview module receiving a selection of a configuration file for the new profile, the configuration file being exported from a second application and including data that defines a set of default settings to pre-configure at least a portion of the configuration script, the interview module to store results of the configuration script as a new configuration file, the new configuration file configured to customize the first application during execution.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the interview module selects the configuration file prior to presenting the configuration script, and wherein the configuration script is pre-configured in accordance with the configuration file.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the configuration file comprises a chart of accounts.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the configuration file data comprises business rules that affects data processing.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the configuration file is associated with an organization, and the user configuration file is associated with a member of the organization.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein the configuration file is associated with an accountant, and the user configuration file is associated with a configuror client of the accountant.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein the configuration file is generated by a configuror client and uploaded to a configuration sharing server.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein the configuration file comprises at least one of a command, a value, and an executable.

24. The system of claim 16, wherein the interview module requests user settings to supplement the default settings of the configuration file, the interview module storing results of the configuration script includes storing results of the user settings and default settings.

25. The system of claim 16, wherein the interview module presents the configuration script as one or more user interfaces to enter settings for the configuration file.

26. The system of claim 16, wherein the first application comprises a first financial management application and the second application comprises a second financial management application.

27. A server for sharing a plurality of configuration files, the server comprising:

a network module to receive the plurality of configuration files from a plurality of clients that are coupled in communication through a network, each configuration file being set up to customize user settings of a profile of an application during an initial execution, the network module storing the plurality of configuration files in a configuration file repository;

a client interface to share the plurality of configuration files with one or more of the plurality of clients, and send a configuration file responsive to a selection of a configuration file.

28. The server of claim 27, wherein the configuration file comprises a chart of accounts.

29. A computer-readable medium storing a computer program product configured to perform a method for customizing a configuration file, the method comprising:

executing a first application;

responsive to the execution being an initial execution of a new profile for the first application, presenting a configuration script that is configured to receive user settings for the new profile;

selecting a configuration file for the new profile, the configuration file being exported from a second application and including data that defines a set of default settings to pre-configure at least a portion of the configuration script; and

storing results of the configuration script as a new configuration file, the new configuration file configured to customize the first application during execution.

30. The computer program product of claim 29, wherein selecting the configuration file occurs prior to presenting the configuration script, and wherein the configuration script is pre-configured in accordance with the configuration file.

31. The computer program product of claim 29, wherein the configuration file data comprises business rules that affects data processing.

32. The computer program product of claim 29, wherein the configuration file comprises a chart of accounts.

33. The computer program product of claim 29, wherein the configuration file is associated with an organization, and the user configuration file is associated with a member of the organization.

34. The computer program product of claim 29, wherein the configuration file is associated with an accountant, and the user configuration file is associated with a configuror client of the accountant.

35. The computer program product of claim 29, wherein the configuration file is generated by a configuror client and uploaded to a configuration sharing server.

36. The computer program product of claim 29, wherein the configuration file comprises at least one of a command, a value, and an executable.

37. The computer program product of claim 29, further comprising:

requesting user settings to supplement the default settings of the configuration file,

wherein storing results of the configuration script includes storing results of the user settings and default settings.

38. The computer program product of claim 29, wherein the configuration script comprises one or more user interfaces to enter settings for the configuration file.

39. The computer program product of claim 29, wherein the first application comprises a first financial management application and the second application comprises a second financial management application.