JP2006120033A - Information system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance an entire information system in ease of maintenance, durability and robustness by permitting data transfer among databases. <P>SOLUTION: The information system has a backbone system storing data, a DB server for outputting desired information in response to a request from a terminal device, and a DB-to-DB interface which accepts at least part of data from the backbone system, converts the received data by using a character code conversion table for converting into character code processable by the DB server, and passes the converted character code to the DB server. The DB server accumulates data passed from the DB-to-DB interface, and outputs desired information based on the accumulated data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information system, and more particularly to an information system including a plurality of databases incapable of exchanging data with each other and enabling data transfer between these databases.

  With the recent spread of mobile phones and wireless LANs, sales representatives who have been sent to customers connect mobile PCs they bring to their computer systems, download necessary data to mobile PCs, and these data Information systems that promptly and accurately grasp or present delivery times and prices and proceed with business negotiations based on this have been adopted and used by many companies.

  An example of such a conventional information system is shown in FIG. The information system 400 includes a terminal device 402 connected to a communication network 401, a Web server 403 connected to the communication network 401, a database (hereinafter abbreviated as DB) server 404 connected to the Web server 403, a DB An inter-database interface 405 connected to the server 404 and a backbone system 406 connected to the inter-DB interface 405 are configured.

  The terminal device 402 is an information processing device that can be connected to at least the Web server 403 and is, for example, a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a PC) having a network connection function. The Web server 403 transfers a file representing a desired screen to the requesting terminal device 402 in accordance with a request from the terminal device 402 that is a client.

  The mission critical system 406 accumulates various information (management information, personnel information, purchasing information, sales information, etc.) relating to business activities (company, group, organization, company group, etc.) as data and responds to user requests. This is a system for updating, adding, deleting, and reading out these data.

  The DB server 404 receives at least a part of the data stored in the backbone system 406, stores it in a format / data format that can be used by the Web server 403, and stores it in response to a request from the Web server 403. A server that extracts and passes all or part of data, for example, an SQL server.

  The backbone system 406 is constructed with a mainframe such as IBM AS400, for example. On the other hand, the DB server 404 is constructed with a Windows (trademark) based server, so that data transfer between different types can be performed directly. Absent. Therefore, an inter-DB interface 405 is provided that performs data extraction, conversion, and integration from different conversion sources to a single or multiple conversion destinations.

  This inter-DB interface 405 uses a link table of Microsoft's database software “Access” in order to make it possible to refer to data from the terminal device 402, and also in the Microsoft program “Visual Basic” (VB) Processing for processing the data for the DB server 404 is performed, and data is transferred from the backbone system 406 to the DB server 404. This data transfer was performed by batch processing.

  However, in the data transfer using the inter-DB interface 405 as described above, there is a problem that it takes time for maintenance such as rewriting the program of the VB part when a new data conversion needs to be performed. There was a problem that smart transfer of data could not be performed, such as real-time update not being performed.

As means for solving the above problems, the present invention has the following features.
An aspect of the present invention is proposed as an information system. This system is an information system that transmits desired data to a terminal device via a communication network. The system is a first database means (for example, a backbone system) that stores data, and a request from the terminal device. In response, a second database means (for example, a DB server) that outputs desired information and a character that can receive at least a part of the data from the first database means and can process the received data by the second database means An interface means (for example, an inter-database interface) for conversion using a character code conversion table for conversion into a code and passing it to the second database means, and the second database means is passed from the interface means It is characterized in that the stored data is stored and desired information is output based on the stored data.

  According to such an information system, even between DBs using different character data, data transfer is possible while maintaining maintainability, durability, and robustness, and the first database means that cannot be directly viewed from the terminal device. Data can be browsed and used via the second database means.

  In the above information system, the interface means includes conversion table means (for example, a character conversion table) for converting the character data into character data suitable for the second database means, an environment setting value for predetermined data conversion, and It further has a file means (for example, XML file) describing execution processing, and a transfer conversion means (for example, DTS) for performing data transfer and data conversion based on the conversion table and the contents of the file. Also good.

  According to such an information system, it is possible to change / correct / improve the data conversion transfer between DBs quickly and easily by changing / improving the conversion table means and file means as necessary. It can be said that it improves the maintainability, durability, and robustness.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the ease of maintenance, durability, and robustness of the entire information system by enabling data transfer between databases.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[1. Information system configuration example]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the information system according to the present embodiment.

  The information system 100 includes a terminal device 102 connected to a communication network 101, a Web server 103 connected to the communication network 101, a DB server 104 connected to the Web server 103, and a DB connected to the DB server 104. The inter-system interface 105 and a backbone system 106 connected to the inter-DB interface 105 are configured.

[1.1. Communication network]
The communication network 101 can transmit and receive data between devices connected to the target device regardless of whether it is a wired / wireless, a dedicated line, or a switched line. Acts like The communication network 101 may be realized by combining a plurality of communication networks via a gateway, like the Internet. For example, when the terminal device 102 is a mobile phone or a personal computer equipped with a mobile phone adapter card, the communication network 101 is constituted by a mobile phone network and a data communication network connected to the mobile phone network via a gateway. Is done. Even if the connection is not directly connected to the so-called backbone, it is temporarily connected by PPP (Point to Point Protocol) connection or the like, but when a session is established, data is transmitted and received between them. As long as you can do it. Note that the communication network 101 includes a network (communication network) that does not use an exchange such as a dedicated line that is fixed.

[1.2. Terminal device]
The terminal device 102 is an information processing device that can be connected to the Web server 103 via the communication network 101, and can request the Web server 103 to transmit desired data and display the received data. Any device may be used. The terminal device 102 is a mobile communication terminal such as a personal computer (notebook computer), a mobile phone, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).

  The terminal device 102 is equipped with a means for interpreting and displaying the data received from the Web server 103, for example, a Web browser. The Web browser interprets an HTML file acquired from the Web server 103, and displays an image. As shown on the display of the terminal device 102, the user of the terminal device (for example, a sales representative) obtains desired information (hall information, customer information, etc.) from the display content.

[1.3. Core system]
The core system 106, which is the first database means, accumulates various information (hall information, customer information, product information, person in charge information, etc.) related to business activities (company, organization, organization, company group, etc.) as data. The system updates, adds, deletes, and reads these data in response to a user request. The backbone system 106 is configured by, for example, IBM AS / 400, DB2 or the like.

[1.4. DB server]
The DB server 104 as the second database means receives at least a part of the data stored in the backbone system 106 and stores it in a format / data format that can be used by the Web server 103. This is a server that extracts and passes all or part of the accumulated data in response to the request.

[1.5. Web server]
The Web server 103 transmits a file representing the screen to the requesting terminal device 102 in accordance with the request from the terminal device 102. The Web server 103 is equipped with a sales support application. This sales support application obtains data derived from the core system 106 from the DB server 104 as necessary, and this data is directly or processed to generate an HTML file. To the terminal device 102.

[1.6. Inter-database interface]
The inter-DB interface 105 serving as an interface means receives at least a part of so-called master data stored and stored in the backbone system 106 from the backbone system 106, and converts the received data into a character code that can be processed by the DB server 104. Conversion is performed using a character code conversion table for conversion, and the data is transferred to the DB server 104.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of the inter-DB interface 105. In the example shown in the figure, the inter-DB interface 105 includes a character conversion table 201 which is a conversion table means for character data conversion, and an XML file 202 which is a file means describing environment variables and execution processing for data conversion. The DTS (Data Transfer Service) DB 203 for temporarily storing the contents of the character conversion table 201 and the XML file 202, and the contents of the character conversion table 201 and the XML file 202 stored in the DTS DB 203. And DTS 204 which is transfer conversion means for performing data transfer and data conversion.

  The character conversion table 201 is a table describing a correspondence relationship for changing a character code used by the backbone system 106 to a character code used by the DB server 104 and the Web server 103.

  The XML file 202 is a file in which environment setting values and execution processing necessary for the DTS 204 to execute data transfer and data conversion are described. Note that the file means is not necessarily limited to the XML file, and any data can be used as long as the DTS 204 can interpret the contents.

  The DTS DB 203 stores the contents of the character conversion table 201 and the XML file 202 so that they can be referred to when the DTS is executed. As this DTS DB 203, for example, an OLE DB of “Host Integration Server 2000” of Microsoft Corporation can be used.

  The DTS 204 is a set of graphic tools and programmable objects that can be used to extract, convert, and integrate data from disparate sources to single or multiple destinations. The transfer conversion means is not limited to the DTS, and any tool may be used as long as it has a data conversion function and a transfer function.

[1.7. Hardware configuration]
Each of the backbone system 106, the Web server 103, the DB server 104, and the inter-DB interface 105 is an information processing apparatus such as a computer or a workstation, for example, an arithmetic processing unit (CPU), a main memory (RAM), and a reading This is realized by a dedicated memory (ROM), an input / output device (I / O), and a device equipped with an external storage device such as a hard disk device, if necessary, and a program installed therein. A program for causing the information processing device to function as a component of the information system 100 is stored in the ROM or an external storage device, and the program is loaded on the main memory and executed by the CPU. These components of the information system 100 are realized. Further, the program need not necessarily be stored in a storage device in the information processing apparatus, and a computer-readable program recording such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Video Disc), etc. The configuration may be such that it is provided from a medium or an external device (for example, an ASP (Application Service Provider) server) and is loaded on the main memory.

  In the configuration example illustrated in FIG. 1, the core system 106, the Web server 103, the DB server 104, and the inter-database interface 105 that are components of the information system 100 are displayed as being separate information processing apparatuses. However, the constituent elements of the information system 100 do not necessarily have to be realized as individual information processing apparatuses. Even if two or more of these constituent elements are constructed in the same information processing apparatus, the information The system is established.

[2. Information system transfer and conversion operation example]
Next, in the information system 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an operation example when data transfer and conversion from the core system 106 to the DB server 104 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation example when data transfer and conversion from the backbone system 106 to the DB server 104 are performed.

  First, a user (system administrator or the like) of the information system 100 acquires the contents of the XML file 202 from a management terminal device (not shown) of the information system 100 using, for example, a “.NET” program ( S301).

  Next, the user registers the acquired contents in the DTS DB 203 from the management terminal device (S302). The DTS DB 203 stores the contents of the XML file 202 accordingly.

  Next, the user causes the DB server 104 to execute the DTS 204 (S303). The DTS 204 acquires data of the backbone system 106 and performs predetermined conversion processing including conversion of character data on the data of the backbone system 106 while referring to the contents of the DTS DB 203 and the character conversion table 201 (S304). ).

  The DTS 204 processes the data converted by the conversion process, if necessary, transfers it to the DB server 104, and registers it (S305). “Processing” here refers to processing that deletes unnecessary data from the converted data and leaves only necessary data (for example, data in a specified period of customer data).

  Since the processing procedure up to S304 and S305 is described in the XML file 202 in advance, it is not necessary for the user to input a command or the like from the administrator terminal device to the DTS, and a series of processing is automatically performed by the DTS 204. Executed.

  By performing the processing from S301 to S305, the data stored in the backbone system 106 is converted into data usable by the DB server 104 and the Web server 103 and stored in the DB server 104. A sales representative who is a user of the terminal device 102 can refer to the latest data stored in the backbone system 106 at any time via the DB server 104.

[3. Modified example]
The information system 100 has been described as a system that mainly provides information to be used by sales representatives. However, the method of conversion and transfer from the backbone system 106 to the DB server 104 is a business, development, logistics, or other business. Naturally, it is also applicable to relying on information required by all departments of the subject in these departments.

The block diagram which shows the structural example of the information system concerning this invention Functional block diagram showing a configuration example of an inter-DB interface A flowchart showing an operation example in the transfer conversion processing of the information system Block diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional information system

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Information system; 101 ... Communication network; 102 ... Terminal device; 103 ... Web server; 104 ... DB server; 105 ... Inter-DB interface; 106 ... Core system; 201 ... Character conversion table; DB for DTS; 204 ... DTS

Claims (2)

An information system for transmitting desired data to a terminal device via a communication network,
First database means for accumulating data;
A second database unit that outputs desired information in response to a request from the terminal device; and a character that receives at least part of the data from the first database unit and that can process the received data by the second database unit Interface means for converting using a character code conversion table for conversion into a code and passing it to the second database means;
The information system characterized in that the second database means accumulates data delivered from the interface means and outputs desired information based on the accumulated data.   The interface means includes conversion table means for converting character data into character data suitable for the second database means, file means describing environment setting values for predetermined data conversion and execution processing, and the conversion 2. The information system according to claim 1, further comprising transfer conversion means for performing data transfer and data conversion based on the contents of the table and the file.

Images