Various types of computer applications allow users to share images, documents, and other types of files with other users. For example, users can share files within collaboration applications such as TEAMS and SLACK, within social applications such as TWITTER and FACEBOOK, using dedicated file sharing applications such as SHAREFILE, DROPBOX, ONEDRIVE, etc. Within a given company or other type of organization, different users or groups of users may prefer to use different applications that provide similar functionality. For example, a development team a company may prefer to collaborate using SLACK whereas a management team at the company may prefer to use email (e.g., OUTLOOK).
It is appreciated herein that it can be difficult and/or time consuming to share files across different applications. For example, some applications require both the person sending a file and the person receiving that file to be registered users of the application and/or to have the application installed on their client devices. Even if all users within an organization use at least one application in common (e.g., email), it may be time consuming for a user to download/access a file within one application (e.g., SLACK) and then send the file using another application (e.g., compose an email that includes the file as an attachment). This may also result in increased computer storage and processing usage on client devices and/or application servers. Moreover, many organizations place limits on the size of email attachments, making difficult or impossible to share large files via email.
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for automatically collecting application files across multiple different computer applications and providing a unified interface for accessing such collected files. Embodiments can collect images, documents, and other types of files from a variety of applications including but not limited to software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications. The techniques described herein can be used to improve the efficiency and utility of existing computer systems and applications. For example, disclosed embodiments can significantly reduce the amount of time required for a user to collect application files from one or more other users, as well as reducing the amount of storage and/or processing resources consumed in the process.
According to one aspect of the disclosure, a method can include receiving, by a first computing device, a request to collect a file from a plurality of users, the request sent by a second computing device; determining, by the first computing device, a plurality of applications from which the requested file can be accessed, each of the plurality of applications used by at least one of the plurality of users; collecting, by the first computing device, files from the plurality of applications; and sending, by the first computing device to the second computing device, a link to enable a user of the second computing device to access the files collected from the plurality of applications.
In some embodiments, the request to collect the file may include a description of the file and information identifying the plurality of users from whom to collect the file. In some embodiments, the request to collect the file further can include a sample file. In some embodiments, the determining of the plurality of applications from which the requested file can be accessed may include, for at least one user of the plurality of users: sending a notification to a computing device associated with the at least one user, the notification including a description of the file; and receiving, from the computing device associated with the at least one user, information identifying at least one application from the plurality of applications.
In some embodiments, the plurality of applications may include one or more software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications. In some embodiments, the method can include: sending, by the first computing device, the collected files to be stored within a file sharing service, wherein the link to enable the user of the second computing device to access the files includes a link to the file sharing service. In some embodiments, the sending of the collected files to be stored within the file sharing service can include sending the collected files to be stored as an archive within the file sharing service.
In some embodiments, the collecting of files from the plurality of applications may include, for at least one application of the plurality of applications, retrieving information about files uploaded to the at least one application using an application programming interface (API) of the at least application. In some embodiments, the method can include authenticating with the API of the at least application using credentials associated with a user of the second computing device.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, a system can include a processor and a non-volatile memory storing computer program code that when executed on the processor causes the processor to execute one or more described embodiments of the method. According to another aspect of the disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program instructions that are executable for performing one or more described embodiments of the method.
The manner of making and using the disclosed subject matter may be appreciated by reference to the detailed description in connection with the drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements.
The drawings are not necessarily to scale, or inclusive of all elements of a system, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the concepts, structures, and techniques sought to be protected herein.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, client machines 102A-102N communicate with remote machines 106A-106N via an intermediary appliance 108. The illustrated appliance 108 is positioned between networks 104, 104′ and may also be referred to as a network interface or gateway. In some embodiments, appliance 108 may operate as an application delivery controller (ADC) to provide clients with access to business applications and other data deployed in a datacenter, a cloud computing environment, or delivered as Software as a Service (SaaS) across a range of client devices, and/or provide other functionality such as load balancing, etc. In some embodiments, multiple appliances 108 may be used, and appliance(s) 108 may be deployed as part of network 104 and/or 104′.
Client machines 102A-102N may be generally referred to as client machines 102, local machines 102, clients 102, client nodes 102, client computers 102, client devices 102, computing devices 102, endpoints 102, or endpoint nodes 102. Remote machines 106A-106N may be generally referred to as servers 106 or a server farm 106. In some embodiments, a client device 102 may have the capacity to function as both a client node seeking access to resources provided by server 106 and as a server 106 providing access to hosted resources for other client devices 102A-102N. Networks 104, 104′ may be generally referred to as a network 104. Networks 104 may be configured in any combination of wired and wireless networks.
Server 106 may be any server type such as, for example: a file server; an application server; a web server; a proxy server; an appliance; a network appliance; a gateway; an application gateway; a gateway server; a virtualization server; a deployment server; a Secure Sockets Layer Virtual Private Network (SSL VPN) server; a firewall; a web server; a server executing an active directory; a cloud server; or a server executing an application acceleration program that provides firewall functionality, application functionality, or load balancing functionality.
Server 106 may execute, operate or otherwise provide an application that may be any one of the following: software; a program; executable instructions; a virtual machine; a hypervisor; a web browser; a web-based client; a client-server application; a thin-client computing client; an ActiveX control; a Java applet; software related to voice over internet protocol (VoIP) communications like a soft IP telephone; an application for streaming video and/or audio; an application for facilitating real-time-data communications; a HTTP client; a FTP client; an Oscar client; a Telnet client; or any other set of executable instructions.
In some embodiments, server 106 may execute a remote presentation services program or other program that uses a thin-client or a remote-display protocol to capture display output generated by an application executing on server 106 and transmit the application display output to client device 102.
In yet other embodiments, server 106 may execute a virtual machine providing, to a user of client device 102, access to a computing environment. Client device 102 may be a virtual machine. The virtual machine may be managed by, for example, a hypervisor, a virtual machine manager (VMM), or any other hardware virtualization technique within server 106.
In some embodiments, network 104 may be: a local-area network (LAN); a metropolitan area network (MAN); a wide area network (WAN); a primary public network; and a primary private network. Additional embodiments may include a network 104 of mobile telephone networks that use various protocols to communicate among mobile devices. For short range communications within a wireless local-area network (WLAN), the protocols may include 802.11, Bluetooth, and Near Field Communication (NFC).
Non-volatile memory 128 may include: one or more hard disk drives (HDDs) or other magnetic or optical storage media; one or more solid state drives (SSDs), such as a flash drive or other solid-state storage media; one or more hybrid magnetic and solid-state drives; and/or one or more virtual storage volumes, such as a cloud storage, or a combination of such physical storage volumes and virtual storage volumes or arrays thereof.
User interface 123 may include a graphical user interface (GUI) 124 (e.g., a touchscreen, a display, etc.) and one or more input/output (I/O) devices 126 (e.g., a mouse, a keyboard, a microphone, one or more speakers, one or more cameras, one or more biometric scanners, one or more environmental sensors, and one or more accelerometers, etc.).
Non-volatile memory 128 stores an operating system 115, one or more applications 116, and data 117 such that, for example, computer instructions of operating system 115 and/or applications 116 are executed by processor(s) 103 out of volatile memory 122. In some embodiments, volatile memory 122 may include one or more types of RAM and/or a cache memory that may offer a faster response time than a main memory. Data may be entered using an input device of GUI 124 or received from I/O device(s) 126. Various elements of computing device 100 may communicate via communications bus 150.
The illustrated computing device 100 is shown merely as an example client device or server and may be implemented by any computing or processing environment with any type of machine or set of machines that may have suitable hardware and/or software capable of operating as described herein.
Processor(s) 103 may be implemented by one or more programmable processors to execute one or more executable instructions, such as a computer program, to perform the functions of the system. As used herein, the term “processor” describes circuitry that performs a function, an operation, or a sequence of operations. The function, operation, or sequence of operations may be hard coded into the circuitry or soft coded by way of instructions held in a memory device and executed by the circuitry. A processor may perform the function, operation, or sequence of operations using digital values and/or using analog signals.
In some embodiments, the processor can be embodied in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), graphics processing units (GPUs), microcontrollers, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), multi-core processors, or general-purpose computers with associated memory.
Processor 103 may be analog, digital or mixed-signal. In some embodiments, processor 103 may be one or more physical processors, or one or more virtual (e.g., remotely located or cloud computing environment) processors. A processor including multiple processor cores and/or multiple processors may provide functionality for parallel, simultaneous execution of instructions or for parallel, simultaneous execution of one instruction on more than one piece of data.
Communications interfaces 118 may include one or more interfaces to enable computing device 100 to access a computer network such as a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Personal Area Network (PAN), or the Internet through a variety of wired and/or wireless connections, including cellular connections.
In described embodiments, computing device 100 may execute an application on behalf of a user of a client device. For example, computing device 100 may execute one or more virtual machines managed by a hypervisor. Each virtual machine may provide an execution session within which applications execute on behalf of a user or a client device, such as a hosted desktop session. Computing device 100 may also execute a terminal services session to provide a hosted desktop environment. Computing device 100 may provide access to a remote computing environment including one or more applications, one or more desktop applications, and one or more desktop sessions in which one or more applications may execute.
Referring to
In the cloud computing environment 300, one or more clients 102a-102n (such as those described above) are in communication with a cloud network 304. The cloud network 304 may include back-end platforms, e.g., servers, storage, server farms or data centers. The users or clients 102a-102n can correspond to a single organization/tenant or multiple organizations/tenants. More particularly, in one example implementation the cloud computing environment 300 may provide a private cloud serving a single organization (e.g., enterprise cloud). In another example, the cloud computing environment 300 may provide a community or public cloud serving multiple organizations/tenants.
In some embodiments, a gateway appliance(s) or service may be utilized to provide access to cloud computing resources and virtual sessions. By way of example, Citrix Gateway, provided by Citrix Systems, Inc., may be deployed on-premises or on public clouds to provide users with secure access and single sign-on to virtual, SaaS and web applications. Furthermore, to protect users from web threats, a gateway such as Citrix Secure Web Gateway may be used. Citrix Secure Web Gateway uses a cloud-based service and a local cache to check for URL reputation and category.
In still further embodiments, the cloud computing environment 300 may provide a hybrid cloud that is a combination of a public cloud and a private cloud. Public clouds may include public servers that are maintained by third parties to the clients 102a-102n or the enterprise/tenant. The servers may be located off-site in remote geographical locations or otherwise.
The cloud computing environment 300 can provide resource pooling to serve multiple users via clients 102a-102n through a multi-tenant environment or multi-tenant model with different physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned responsive to different demands within the respective environment. The multi-tenant environment can include a system or architecture that can provide a single instance of software, an application or a software application to serve multiple users. In some embodiments, the cloud computing environment 300 can provide on-demand self-service to unilaterally provision computing capabilities (e.g., server time, network storage) across a network for multiple clients 102a-102n. By way of example, provisioning services may be provided through a system such as Citrix Provisioning Services (Citrix PVS). Citrix PVS is a software-streaming technology that delivers patches, updates, and other configuration information to multiple virtual desktop endpoints through a shared desktop image. The cloud computing environment 300 can provide an elasticity to dynamically scale out or scale in response to different demands from one or more clients 102. In some embodiments, the cloud computing environment 300 can include or provide monitoring services to monitor, control and/or generate reports corresponding to the provided shared services and resources.
In some embodiments, the cloud computing environment 300 may provide cloud-based delivery of different types of cloud computing services, such as Software as a service (SaaS) 308, Platform as a Service (PaaS) 312, Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) 316, and Desktop as a Service (DaaS) 320, for example IaaS may refer to a user renting the use of infrastructure resources that are needed during a specified time period. IaaS providers may offer storage, networking, servers or virtualization resources from large pools, allowing the users to quickly scale up by accessing more resources as needed. Examples of IaaS include AMAZON WEB SERVICES provided by Amazon.com, Inc., of Seattle, Wash., RACKSPACE CLOUD provided by Rackspace US, Inc., of San Antonio, Tex., Google Compute Engine provided by Google Inc. of Mountain View, Calif., or RIGHTSCALE provided by RightScale, Inc., of Santa Barbara, Calif.
PaaS providers may offer functionality provided by IaaS, including, e.g., storage, networking, servers or virtualization, as well as additional resources such as, e.g., the operating system, middleware, or runtime resources. Examples of PaaS include WINDOWS AZURE provided by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., Google App Engine provided by Google Inc., and HEROKU provided by Heroku, Inc. of San Francisco, Calif.
SaaS providers may offer the resources that PaaS provides, including storage, networking, servers, virtualization, operating system, middleware, or runtime resources. In some embodiments, SaaS providers may offer additional resources including, e.g., data and application resources. Examples of SaaS include GOOGLE APPS provided by Google Inc., SALESFORCE provided by Salesforce.com Inc. of San Francisco, Calif., or OFFICE 365 provided by Microsoft Corporation. Examples of SaaS may also include data storage providers, e.g. Citrix ShareFile from Citrix Systems, DROPBOX provided by Dropbox, Inc. of San Francisco, Calif., Microsoft SKYDRIVE provided by Microsoft Corporation, Google Drive provided by Google Inc., or Apple ICLOUD provided by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.
Similar to SaaS, DaaS (which is also known as hosted desktop services) is a form of virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) in which virtual desktop sessions are typically delivered as a cloud service along with the apps used on the virtual desktop. Citrix Cloud from Citrix Systems is one example of a DaaS delivery platform. DaaS delivery platforms may be hosted on a public cloud computing infrastructure such as AZURE CLOUD from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. (herein “Azure”), or AMAZON WEB SERVICES provided by Amazon.com, Inc., of Seattle, Wash. (herein “AWS”), for example. In the case of Citrix Cloud, Citrix Workspace app may be used as a single-entry point for bringing apps, files and desktops together (whether on-premises or in the cloud) to deliver a unified experience.
The client(s) 202 may be any type of computing devices capable of accessing the resource feed(s) 406 and/or the SaaS application(s) 410, and may, for example, include a variety of desktop or laptop computers, smartphones, tablets, etc. The resource feed(s) 406 may include any of numerous resource types and may be provided from any of numerous locations. In some embodiments, for example, the resource feed(s) 406 may include one or more systems or services for providing virtual applications and/or desktops to the client(s) 202, one or more file repositories and/or file sharing systems, one or more secure browser services, one or more access control services for the SaaS applications 410, one or more management services for local applications on the client(s) 202, one or more internet enabled devices or sensors, etc. Each of the resource management service(s) 402, the resource feed(s) 406, the gateway service(s) 408, the SaaS application(s) 410, and the identity provider 412 may be located within an on-premises data center of an organization for which the system 400 is deployed, within one or more cloud computing environments, or elsewhere.
For any of illustrated components (other than the client 202) that are not based within the cloud computing environment 414, cloud connectors (not shown in
As explained in more detail below, in some embodiments, the resource access application 424 and associated components may provide the user 426 with a personalized, all-in-one interface enabling instant and seamless access to all the user's SaaS and web applications, files, virtual Windows applications, virtual Linux applications, desktops, mobile applications, Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops™, local applications, and other data.
When the resource access application 424 is launched or otherwise accessed by the user 426, the client interface service 416 may send a sign-on request to the identity service 418. In some embodiments, the identity provider 412 may be located on the premises of the organization for which the system 400 is deployed. The identity provider 412 may, for example, correspond to an on-premises Windows Active Directory. In such embodiments, the identity provider 412 may be connected to the cloud-based identity service 418 using a cloud connector (not shown in
In other embodiments (not illustrated in
For each configured resource feed, the resource feed service 420 may request an identity token from the single sign-on service 422. The resource feed service 420 may then pass the feed-specific identity tokens it receives to the points of authentication for the respective resource feeds 406. Each resource feed 406 may then respond with a list of resources configured for the respective identity. The resource feed service 420 may then aggregate all items from the different feeds and forward them to the client interface service 416, which may cause the resource access application 424 to present a list of available resources on a user interface of the client 202. The list of available resources may, for example, be presented on the user interface of the client 202 as a set of selectable icons or other elements corresponding to accessible resources. The resources so identified may, for example, include one or more virtual applications and/or desktops (e.g., Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops™, VMware Horizon, Microsoft RDS, etc.), one or more file repositories and/or file sharing systems (e.g., Sharefile®, one or more secure browsers, one or more internet enabled devices or sensors, one or more local applications installed on the client 202, and/or one or more SaaS applications 410 to which the user 426 has subscribed. The lists of local applications and the SaaS applications 410 may, for example, be supplied by resource feeds 406 for respective services that manage which such applications are to be made available to the user 426 via the resource access application 424. Examples of SaaS applications 410 that may be managed and accessed as described herein include Microsoft Office 365 applications, SAP SaaS applications, Workday applications, etc.
For resources other than local applications and the SaaS application(s) 410, upon the user 426 selecting one of the listed available resources, the resource access application 424 may cause the client interface service 416 to forward a request for the specified resource to the resource feed service 420. In response to receiving such a request, the resource feed service 420 may request an identity token for the corresponding feed from the single sign-on service 422. The resource feed service 420 may then pass the identity token received from the single sign-on service 422 to the client interface service 416 where a launch ticket for the resource may be generated and sent to the resource access application 424. Upon receiving the launch ticket, the resource access application 424 may initiate a secure session to the gateway service 408 and present the launch ticket. When the gateway service 408 is presented with the launch ticket, it may initiate a secure session to the appropriate resource feed and present the identity token to that feed to seamlessly authenticate the user 426. Once the session initializes, the client 202 may proceed to access the selected resource.
When the user 426 selects a local application, the resource access application 424 may cause the selected local application to launch on the client 202. When the user 426 selects a SaaS application 410, the resource access application 424 may cause the client interface service 416 request a one-time uniform resource locator (URL) from the gateway service 408 as well a preferred browser for use in accessing the SaaS application 410. After the gateway service 408 returns the one-time URL and identifies the preferred browser, the client interface service 416 may pass that information along to the resource access application 424. The client 202 may then launch the identified browser and initiate a connection to the gateway service 408. The gateway service 408 may then request an assertion from the single sign-on service 422. Upon receiving the assertion, the gateway service 408 may cause the identified browser on the client 202 to be redirected to the logon page for identified SaaS application 410 and present the assertion. The SaaS may then contact the gateway service 408 to validate the assertion and authenticate the user 426. Once the user has been authenticated, communication may occur directly between the identified browser and the selected SaaS application 410, thus allowing the user 426 to use the client 202 to access the selected SaaS application 410.
In some embodiments, the preferred browser identified by the gateway service 408 may be a specialized browser embedded in the resource access application 424 (when the resource application is installed on the client 202) or provided by one of the resource feeds 406 (when the resource application 424 is located remotely), e.g., via a secure browser service. In such embodiments, the SaaS applications 410 may incorporate enhanced security policies to enforce one or more restrictions on the embedded browser. Examples of such policies include (1) requiring use of the specialized browser and disabling use of other local browsers, (2) restricting clipboard access, e.g., by disabling cut/copy/paste operations between the application and the clipboard, (3) restricting printing, e.g., by disabling the ability to print from within the browser, (3) restricting navigation, e.g., by disabling the next and/or back browser buttons, (4) restricting downloads, e.g., by disabling the ability to download from within the SaaS application, and (5) displaying watermarks, e.g., by overlaying a screen-based watermark showing the username and IP address associated with the client 202 such that the watermark will appear as displayed on the screen if the user tries to print or take a screenshot. Further, in some embodiments, when a user selects a hyperlink within a SaaS application, the specialized browser may send the URL for the link to an access control service (e.g., implemented as one of the resource feed(s) 406) for assessment of its security risk by a web filtering service. For approved URLs, the specialized browser may be permitted to access the link. For suspicious links, however, the web filtering service may have the client interface service 416 send the link to a secure browser service, which may start a new virtual browser session with the client 202, and thus allow the user to access the potentially harmful linked content in a safe environment.
In some embodiments, in addition to or in lieu of providing the user 426 with a list of resources that are available to be accessed individually, as described above, the user 426 may instead be permitted to choose to access a streamlined feed of event notifications and/or available actions that may be taken with respect to events that are automatically detected with respect to one or more of the resources. This streamlined resource activity feed, which may be customized for each user 426, may allow users to monitor important activity involving all of their resources—SaaS applications, web applications, Windows applications, Linux applications, desktops, file repositories and/or file sharing systems, and other data through a single interface, without needing to switch context from one resource to another. Further, event notifications in a resource activity feed may be accompanied by a discrete set of user-interface elements, e.g., “approve,” “deny,” and “see more detail” buttons, allowing a user to take one or more simple actions with respect to each event right within the user's feed. In some embodiments, such a streamlined, intelligent resource activity feed may be enabled by one or more micro-applications, or “microapps,” that can interface with underlying associated resources using APIs or the like. The responsive actions may be user-initiated activities that are taken within the microapps and that provide inputs to the underlying applications through the API or other interface. The actions a user performs within the microapp may, for example, be designed to address specific common problems and use cases quickly and easily, adding to increased user productivity (e.g., request personal time off, submit a help desk ticket, etc.). In some embodiments, notifications from such event-driven microapps may additionally or alternatively be pushed to clients 202 to notify a user 426 of something that requires the user's attention (e.g., approval of an expense report, new course available for registration, etc.).
In some embodiments, a microapp may be a single use case made available to users to streamline functionality from complex enterprise applications. Microapps may, for example, utilize APIs available within SaaS, web, or home-grown applications allowing users to see content without needing a full launch of the application or the need to switch context. Absent such microapps, users would need to launch an application, navigate to the action they need to perform, and then perform the action. Microapps may streamline routine tasks for frequently performed actions and provide users the ability to perform actions within the resource access application 424 without having to launch the native application. The system shown in
Referring to
In some embodiments, the microapp service 430 may be a single-tenant service responsible for creating the microapps. The microapp service 430 may send raw events, pulled from the systems of record 428, to the analytics service 438 for processing. The microapp service may, for example, periodically pull active data from the systems of record 428.
In some embodiments, the active data cache service 436 may be single-tenant and may store all configuration information and microapp data. It may, for example, utilize a per-tenant database encryption key and per-tenant database credentials.
In some embodiments, the credential wallet service 434 may store encrypted service credentials for the systems of record 428 and user OAuth2 tokens.
In some embodiments, the data integration provider service 432 may interact with the systems of record 428 to decrypt end-user credentials and write back actions to the systems of record 428 under the identity of the end-user. The write-back actions may, for example, utilize a user's actual account to ensure all actions performed are compliant with data policies of the application or other resource being interacted with.
In some embodiments, the analytics service 438 may process the raw events received from the microapps service 430 to create targeted scored notifications and send such notifications to the notification service 440.
Finally, in some embodiments, the notification service 440 may process any notifications it receives from the analytics service 438. In some implementations, the notification service 440 may store the notifications in a database to be later served in a notification feed. In other embodiments, the notification service 440 may additionally or alternatively send the notifications out immediately to the client 202 as a push notification to the user 426.
In some embodiments, a process for synchronizing with the systems of record 428 and generating notifications may operate as follows. The microapp service 430 may retrieve encrypted service account credentials for the systems of record 428 from the credential wallet service 434 and request a sync with the data integration provider service 432. The data integration provider service 432 may then decrypt the service account credentials and use those credentials to retrieve data from the systems of record 428. The data integration provider service 432 may then stream the retrieved data to the microapp service 430. The microapp service 430 may store the received systems of record data in the active data cache service 436 and also send raw events to the analytics service 438. The analytics service 438 may create targeted scored notifications and send such notifications to the notification service 440. The notification service 440 may store the notifications in a database to be later served in a notification feed and/or may send the notifications out immediately to the client 202 as a push notification to the user 426.
In some embodiments, a process for processing a user-initiated action via a microapp may operate as follows. The client 202 may receive data from the microapp service 430 (via the client interface service 416) to render information corresponding to the microapp. The microapp service 430 may receive data from the active data cache service 436 to support that rendering. The user 426 may invoke an action from the microapp, causing the resource access application 424 to send that action to the microapp service 430 (via the client interface service 416). The microapp service 430 may then retrieve from the credential wallet service 434 an encrypted Oauth2 token for the system of record for which the action is to be invoked, and may send the action to the data integration provider service 432 together with the encrypted Oath2 token. The data integration provider service 432 may then decrypt the Oath2 token and write the action to the appropriate system of record under the identity of the user 426. The data integration provider service 432 may then read back changed data from the written-to system of record and send that changed data to the microapp service 430. The microapp service 432 may then update the active data cache service 436 with the updated data and cause a message to be sent to the resource access application 424 (via the client interface service 416) notifying the user 426 that the action was successfully completed.
In some embodiments, in addition to or in lieu of the functionality described above, the resource management services 402 may provide users the ability to search for relevant information across all files and applications. A simple keyword search may, for example, be used to find application resources, SaaS applications, desktops, files, etc. This functionality may enhance user productivity and efficiency as application and data sprawl is prevalent across all organizations.
In other embodiments, in addition to or in lieu of the functionality described above, the resource management services 402 may enable virtual assistance functionality that allows users to remain productive and take quick actions. Users may, for example, interact with the “Virtual Assistant” and ask questions such as “What is Bob Smith's phone number?” or “What absences are pending my approval?” The resource management services 402 may, for example, parse these requests and respond because they are integrated with multiple systems on the back-end. In some embodiments, users may be able to interact with the virtual assistance through either the resource access application 424 or directly from another resource, such as Microsoft Teams. This feature may allow employees to work efficiently, stay organized, and deliver only the specific information being sought.
A file collection agent 506 can be provided as a sub-module or other component of resource access application 502. A file collection service 508 can be provided as a service (e.g., a microservice) within the cloud clouding environment 504. File collection agent 506 and file collection service 508 can interoperate to provide a user of client 501 to (a) request files from several other users and to collect the files from across multiple different applications in a centralized manner and/or (b) respond to such file collection requests generated by other users. To promote clarity in the drawings,
The client-side file collection agent 506 and server-side file collection service 508 can communicate using an API. For example, file collection agent 506 can utilize FCS client 512 to send API requests (or “messages”) to file collection service 508 wherein the API requests and received and processed by API module 513. Likewise, file collection service 508 can utilize API module 513 to send API responses/messages to file collection agent 506 wherein the API responses are received and processed by FCS client 512. In some embodiments, file collection service 508 can push data to one or more clients 501. For example, file collection service 508 may send a push notification to client 501 to notify the user that a file they requested has been collected and/or to notify the user that another user is requesting a file.
In addition to resource access application 502, various other applications can be installed on client 501, such as browser 530 and email application 532. Client 501 can also provide access to one or more remote applications 520a . . . 520n (520 generally), which can include SaaS applications, for example. In some embodiments, browser 530 can be configured to access SaaS applications 520. In some embodiments, remote access application 502 can include a browser for accessing SaaS applications 520. In some embodiments, a remote application 520 can include an email server (e.g., EXCHANGE) that email application 532 (e.g., OUTLOOK) can interface with.
Referring to file collection service 508, file collection controller 516 is operable to receive file collection requests from one or more clients (e.g., via API module 514) and to process the requests using various file collection techniques disclosed herein. Briefly, file collection service 508 can receive a file collect request from a user (“requester”) of a first client 501. The file collection request can specify a list of one or more other users from whom the file is to be collected (“requestees”). File collection service 508 can determine, for each requestee, which application 520 the requestee will use (e.g., prefers to use) for sharing a version/copy of the requested file. File collection service 508 can then automatically retrieve (or “collect”) the requested file from the corresponding applications 520, send the collected files to a file sharing service 518, and provide the requester with a link (e.g., a URL) to the collected files within the file sharing service 518. In some embodiments, file sharing service 518 can correspond to SHAREFILE, DROPBOX, ONEDRIVE, or ICLOUD. In some embodiments, file collection service 408 may store files collected for multiple different requestees within file sharing service 518 as an archive (e.g., within a ZIP file).
As used herein, the term “requested file” refers to a general type/class of file specified by the parameters of a file collection request. For a given file collection request, two different requestees may provide two different files (e.g., files have different content, versions, formatting etc.) in response to the request. However, for the purpose of this disclosure, these two different files are both considered to be the same “requested file.”
Applications 520 can include various types of applications such as SaaS applications, web applications, and desktop applications. Non-limiting examples of applications 520 that can serve as data sources according the present disclosure include collaboration applications such as SLACK and TEAMS; product/project management applications such as JIRA, BASECAMP, and TRELLO; social applications such as TWITTER and FACEBOOK; and email applications such as GMAIL and OUTLOOK/EXCHANGE. In some embodiments, applications 520 can include one or more file sharing applications/services such as SHAREFILE, DROPBOX, ONEDRIVE, etc. In some embodiments, file sharing service 518 can be used to both collect requested files from requestees and to provide collected files to requesters.
Controller 516 may communicate with applications 520 and/or file sharing service 518 using SaaS API modules 517. In more detail, SaaS API modules 517 can include client-side implementations of APIs provided by applications 520 to query/retrieve files therefrom and/or can include a client-side implementation of an API provided by file sharing service 518 to send collected files thereto. For example, SaaS API modules 517 may include client-side implementations of MICROSOFT GRAPH APIs to retrieve files from EXCHANGE and/or TEAMS. As another example, SaaS API modules 517 may include client-side implementations of a SLACK API for to retrieving files from SLACK. In some embodiments, SaaS API modules 517 may include client-side implementations of one or more RESTful APIs and/or Remote Procedure Call (RPC)-based APIs.
The particular applications 520 from which controller 516 can collect information can vary between different organizations and/or between different users of the same organization. In some embodiments, controller 516 can obtain a list of services used by a particular organization and/or user. In some embodiments, controller 516 may obtain a list of subscribed resources (e.g., applications and services) for a particular user/organization via resource feed service 420 of
Controller 516 can utilize a database 524 to store information about pending and completed file collection requests. Database 524 may correspond, for example, to a relational database having one or more tables for storing the details of file collection requests. Database 524 may be provided as part of cloud computing environment 504, as shown in
In some embodiments, controller 516 can store collected files within a cache (e.g., file cache 526) prior to sending the collected files to file sharing service 518. In other embodiments, file cache 526 may be omitted.
Turning to client 510, file collection agent 506 can enable a user to generate file collection requests that are sent to other users via file collection service 508 and/or enable the user to respond to file collection requests generated by other users. File collection agent 506 can also interface with file collection service 508 to enable the user to view the status of existing file collection requests and to access collected files via file sharing service 518. Examples of a UI that can be implemented within UI controls 510 to provide such functionality are described below in the context of
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In some embodiments, when the user selects an application, resource access application 502 can automatically launch the application and/or redirect the user to a feature of the application for uploading/sharing the requested file. For example, in the case of a SaaS application, resource access application 502 may launch a web browser and load an upload/share URL associated with the application. In some cases the resource access application 502 may automatically log the user into the application (e.g., using SSO) to further facilitate uploading/sharing of the file. In response to the user uploading/sharing the requested file, UI 800 may cause a message to be sent to the file sharing service, as previously mentioned. Various techniques can be used to detect that the user has uploaded/shared the requested file. For example, in some embodiments, UI 800 may heuristically determine that the user has uploaded/shared the file in response to the user closing the selected application (e.g., UI 800 can listen for an event associated with the closing of the application). As another example, UI 800 may include a button (e.g., a button labeled “Done”) for the user to click/tap after the requested file has been uploaded/shared within the selected application. As another example, UI 800 may receive a confirmation from the application that the upload/sharing was successful.
At line 806, the requestee can upload the requested file from requestee device 824 to the chosen application 826 and, at line 808, the application 826 can provide a confirmation that the upload was successful. In some cases, the requestee may share the requested file with the requestor via the chosen application 826. At line 810, requestee device 824 can return a corresponding confirmation message to file collection service 822.
At line 812, file collection service 822 can collect the file from application 826 using an API provided thereby. In some embodiments, file collection service 822 can authenticate with application 826 using the requestee's credentials and can then use an API provided by application 826 to retrieve information about files uploaded by the requestee within the application 826. In some embodiments, file collection service 822 can authenticate with application 826 using the requestor's credentials and can then use an API provided by application 826 to retrieve information about files shared with the requestor via the application 826. In some embodiments, file collection service 822 can use the API to request files that have been recently uploaded by the requestee and/or shared with the requestor, for example files uploaded/shared within the past N hours or days. File collection service 822 can compare the file information returned by the API to determine which of those files, if any, corresponds to the requested file. For example, file collection service 822 may compare the name, description, or other metadata returned by the API for a file to the description of the requested file provided by the requestor. As another example, file collection service 822 may compare the contents of a file returned by the API to a sample file uploaded by the requestor.
At line 814, application 826 can return the contents of the file to file collection service 822 and, at line 816, file collection service 822 can transmit the contents of the file for storage within a file sharing service 828. More generally, file collection service 822 can collect one or more versions/copies of the requested file from one or more applications 826 and send the collected files to file collection service 822.
At line 818, the file sharing service 828 can return a URL or other type of link that can be used to access the file within file sharing service 828 which in turn can provide the URL/link to the requestor 820 at line 820.
The following examples pertain to further embodiments, from which numerous permutations and configurations will be apparent.
Example 1 includes a method including: receiving, by a first computing device, a request to collect a file from a plurality of users, the request sent by a second computing device; determining, by the first computing device, a plurality of applications from which the requested file can be accessed, each of the plurality of applications used by at least one of the plurality of users; collecting, by the first computing device, files from the plurality of applications; and sending, by the first computing device to the second computing device, a link to enable a user of the second computing device to access the files collected from the plurality of applications.
Example 2 includes the subject matter of Example 1, wherein the request to collect the file includes a description of the file and information identifying the plurality of users from whom to collect the file.
Example 3 includes the subject matter of Example 2, wherein the request to collect the file further includes a sample file.
Example 4 includes the subject matter of Example 1, wherein the determining of the plurality of applications from which the requested file can be accessed includes, for at least one user of the plurality of users: sending a notification to a computing device associated with the at least one user, the notification including a description of the file; and receiving, from the computing device associated with the at least one user, information identifying at least one application from the plurality of applications.
Example 5 includes the subject matter of Example 1, wherein the plurality of applications includes one or more software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications.
Example 6 includes the subject matter of Example 1 and further includes: sending, by the first computing device, the collected files to be stored within a file sharing service, wherein the link to enable the user of the second computing device to access the files includes a link to the file sharing service.
Example 7 includes the subject matter of Example 6, wherein the sending of the collected files to be stored within the file sharing service includes sending the collected files to be stored as an archive within the file sharing service.
Example 8 includes the subject matter of Example 1, wherein the collecting of files from the plurality of applications includes, for at least one application of the plurality of applications, retrieving information about files uploaded to the at least one application using an application programming interface (API) of the at least application.
Example 9 includes the subject matter of Example 8 and further includes authenticating with the API of the at least application using credentials associated with a user of the second computing device.
Example 10 includes a system including a processor and a non-volatile memory storing computer program code that when executed on the processor causes the processor to execute a process operable for: receiving, by a first computing device, a request to collect a file from a plurality of users, the request sent by a second computing device; determining, by the first computing device, a plurality of applications from which the requested file can be accessed, each of the plurality of applications used by at least one of the plurality of users; collecting, by the first computing device, files from the plurality of applications; and sending, by the first computing device to the second computing device, a link to enable a user of the second computing device to access the files collected from the plurality of applications.
Example 11 includes the subject matter of Example 10, wherein the request to collect the file includes a description of the file and information identifying the plurality of users from whom to collect the file.
Example 12 includes the subject matter of Example 11, wherein the request to collect the file further includes a sample file.
Example 13 includes the subject matter of Example 10, wherein the determining of the plurality of applications from which the requested file can be accessed includes, for at least one user of the plurality of users: sending a notification to a computing device associated with the at least one user, the notification including a description of the file; and receiving, from the computing device associated with the at least one user, information identifying at least one application from the plurality of applications.
Example 14 includes the subject matter of Example 10, wherein the plurality of applications includes one or more software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications.
Example 15 includes the subject matter of Example 10, the process further operable for: send, by the first computing device, the collected files to be stored within a file sharing service, wherein the link to enable the user of the second computing device to access the files includes a link to the file sharing service.
Example 16 includes the subject matter of Example 15, wherein the sending of the collected files to be stored within the file sharing service includes sending the collected files to be stored as an archive within the file sharing service.
Example 17 includes the subject matter of Example 10, wherein the collecting of files from the plurality of applications includes, for at least one application of the plurality of applications, retrieving information about files uploaded to the at least one application using an application programming interface (API) of the at least application.
Example 18 includes the subject matter of Example 17, wherein the process is further operable for authenticating with the API of the at least application using credentials associated with a user of the second computing device.
Example 19 includes a non-transitory computer readable medium storing program instructions that are executable for: receiving, by a first computing device, a request to collect a file from a plurality of users, the request sent by a second computing device; determining, by the first computing device, a plurality of applications from which the requested file can be accessed, each of the plurality of applications used by at least one of the plurality of users; collecting, by the first computing device, files from the plurality of applications; and sending, by the first computing device to the second computing device, a link to enable a user of the second computing device to access the files collected from the plurality of applications.
The subject matter described herein can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structural means disclosed in this specification and structural equivalents thereof, or in combinations of them. The subject matter described herein can be implemented as one or more computer program products, such as one or more computer programs tangibly embodied in an information carrier (e.g., in a machine-readable storage device), or embodied in a propagated signal, for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus (e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers). A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or another unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data, in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.
The processes and logic flows described in this specification, including the method steps of the subject matter described herein, can be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform functions of the subject matter described herein by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatus of the subject matter described herein can be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit).
Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processor of any kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks. Information carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of nonvolatile memory, including by ways of example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory device, or magnetic disks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.
In the foregoing detailed description, various features are grouped together in one or more individual embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that each claim requires more features than are expressly recited therein. Rather, inventive aspects may lie in less than all features of each disclosed embodiment.
References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or variants of such phrases indicate that the embodiment(s) described can include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment can include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment(s). Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
The disclosed subject matter is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosed subject matter is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the disclosed subject matter. Therefore, the claims should be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosed subject matter.
Although the disclosed subject matter has been described and illustrated in the foregoing exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example, and that numerous changes in the details of implementation of the disclosed subject matter may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed subject matter.
All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of and priority to Patent Application No. PCT/CN2021/118119 filed on Sep. 14, 2021, the contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/CN2021/118119 | Sep 2021 | US |
Child | 17514294 | US |