The invention relates generally to cloud-based systems to facilitate enterprise analytics. In particular, embodiments may facilitate enterprise analytics by chaining analytic models in a tenant-specific space for a cloud-based architecture.
An enterprise may collect operating data from a set of enterprise system devices. For example, the enterprise may deploy sensors associated with one or more industrial assets (e.g., wind farm devices, turbine engines, etc.) and collect data as those assets operate. Note that the amount of industrial data that can be collected in this way may be significant in terms of volume, velocity, and/or variety. To help extract insight from the data, the enterprise may employ a “cloud-based” industrial internet platform to facilitate creation of applications to turn real-time operational data into insights. As used herein, a “cloud-based” industrial platform may help connect machines to collect key industrial data and stream the information to the cloud and/or leverage services and development tools to help the enterprise focus on solving problems. In this way, the cloud-based industrial platform may help an enterprise deploy scalable services and end-to-end applications in a secure environment.
A cloud-based services architecture may include an orchestration run-time execution engine and tenant-specific spaces. For example, a tenant-specific space for an enterprise might execute a first analytic model application and a second analytic model application. In some cases, it may be desirable to have the output of one model act as the input to another model. For example, the orchestration run-time execution engine may arrange for operating data to be provided as an input to the first analytic model. After performing logical algorithms on the input, the first analytic model may return an output (from the tenant-specific space) to the orchestration run-time execution engine. The orchestration run-time execution engine may then turn that information around and provide it as an input to the second analytic model in the tenant-specific space. That is, the orchestration run-time execution engine can “chain” the output of the first analytic model to the input of the second analytic model. The second analytic model may then perform operations on the information to generate an output that may be provided to one or more remote client platforms.
Note that such an implementation requires that the output of the first analytic model leave the tenant-specific space and then be returned to the second analytics model by the orchestration run-time execution engine. Such an approach may be inefficient and relatively slow, especially when a substantial amount of data is being processed by the cloud-based services architecture. Thus, it may be desirable to provide systems and methods to automatically facilitate analytic model chaining within a tenant-specific space in an efficient and accurate manner.
Some embodiments are associated with a cloud-based services architecture that receives operating data from a set of enterprise system devices. The cloud-based services architecture may include a tenant-specific space and an orchestration run-time execution service to manage creation and execution of a first and a second custom analytic model in the tenant-specific space. Moreover, the first analytic model may be customized to run as a service having: (i) some of the received operational data as an input, and (ii) a result of a first analytics process as an output. The second analytic model may be customized to run as a service having: (i) the output of the first analytic model as an input, and (ii) a result of a second analytics process as an output. According to some embodiments, the input of the second analytic model is received from the first analytic model without leaving the tenant-specific space.
Some embodiments are associated with: means for receiving, at a cloud-based services architecture, operating data from a set of enterprise system devices; means for managing, by an orchestration run-time execution service of the cloud-based services architecture, creation and execution of a first analytic model and a second custom analytic model in a tenant-specific space, including: means for customizing the first analytic model to run as a service having: (i) at least some of the received operational data as an input, and (ii) a result of a first analytics process as an output, and means for customizing the second analytic model to run as a service having: (i) the output of the first analytic model as an input, and (ii) a result of a second analytics process as an output. According to some embodiments, the input of the second analytic model is received from the output of the first analytic model without leaving the tenant-specific space.
A technical feature of some embodiments is a computer system and method that automatically facilitates analytic model chaining within a tenant-specific space in an efficient and accurate manner.
Other embodiments are associated with systems and/or computer-readable medium storing instructions to perform any of the methods described herein.
Some embodiments disclosed herein automatically facilitate analytic model chaining within a tenant-specific space in an efficient and accurate manner. Some embodiments are associated with systems and/or computer-readable medium that may help perform such a method.
Reference will now be made in detail to present embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The detailed description uses numerical and letter designations to refer to features in the drawings. Like or similar designations in the drawings and description have been used to refer to like or similar parts of the invention.
Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
An enterprise may collect operating data from a set of enterprise system devices. For example, the enterprise may deploy sensors associated with one or more industrial assets (e.g., wind farm devices, turbine engines, etc.) and collect data as those assets operate. Moreover, the amount of industrial data that can be collected in this way may be significant in terms of volume, velocity, and/or variety. To help extract insight from the data (and perhaps gain a competitive advantage), the enterprise may employ an industrial internet platform to facilitate creation of applications to turn real-time operational data into insights.
In some cases, it may be desirable to have an output of one model act as an input to another model. In the example of
Note that such an implementation requires that the output 174 of the first analytic model 170 leave the tenant-specific space 130 and then be returned to the second analytics model 180 by the orchestration run-time execution engine 120. Such an approach may be inefficient and relatively slow, especially when a substantial amount of data is being processed by the cloud-based services architecture 150.
Some embodiments described herein may automatically facilitate analytic model chaining within a tenant-specific space in an efficient and accurate manner. For example,
With a multi-tenant architecture, a software application may be designed to provide each tenant-specific space 230 a dedicated share of the instance including its data, configuration, user management, tenant individual functionality and non-functional properties. For example, a tenant-specific space 230 for an enterprise might execute a first analytic model application 270 and a second analytic model application 280. According to some embodiments, an enterprise may “customize” analytic models, such as by defining algorithms, inputs, outputs, etc. to be associated with each model.
Note that in some cases, it may be desirable to have an output of one model act as an input to another model. In the example of
Note that operating data may be associated with a “big data” stream that is received by the cloud-based services architecture 250 on a periodic or asynchronous basis. Moreover, the client platforms 260 may, for example, be used to execute a web browser, smartphone application, etc. to provide results from and/or facilitate understating of the big data. As used herein, the phrase “big data” may refer to data sets so large and/or complex that traditional data processing applications may be inadequate (e.g., to perform appropriate analysis, capture, data curation, search, sharing, storage, transfer, visualization, and/or information privacy for the data). Analysis of big data may lead to new correlations, to spot business trends, prevent diseases, etc. Scientists, business executives, practitioners of media and advertising and governments alike regularly meet difficulties with large data sets in areas including Internet search, finance and business informatics. Scientists encounter limitations in meteorology, genomics, complex physics simulations, biological and environmental research, etc.
Any of the devices described with respect to the system 200 might be, for example, associated with a Personal Computer (“PC”), laptop computer, smartphone, an enterprise server, a server farm, and/or a database or similar storage devices. According to some embodiments, an “automated” cloud-based services architecture 250 may facilitate the collection and analysis of big data. As used herein, the term “automated” may refer to, for example, actions that can be performed with little (or no) intervention by a human.
As used herein, devices, including those associated with the cloud-based services architecture 250 and any other device described herein may exchange information via any communication network which may be one or more of a Local Area Network (LAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a proprietary network, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) network, a Bluetooth network, a wireless LAN network, and/or an Internet Protocol (IP) network such as the Internet, an intranet, or an extranet. Note that any devices described herein may communicate via one or more such communication networks.
Although a single cloud-based services architecture 250 is shown in
Note that the system 200 of
At S310, a cloud-based services architecture may receive operating data from a set of enterprise system devices. The set of enterprise system devices might be, for example, associated with one or more of: sensors, a big data stream, an industrial asset, a power plant, a wind farm, a turbine, power distribution, fuel extraction, healthcare, transportation, aviation, manufacturing, and/or water processing. Moreover, according to some embodiments, the cloud-based services architecture is further associated with edge software to enable secure connectivity and communication between devices of the enterprise. The cloud-based services architecture may also provide data management to coordinate services for efficient data storage and modeling. In some embodiments, the cloud-based services architecture may also provide security to establish clear authorization and/or authentication for application. Still other embodiments may facilitate the building, testing, and/or deployment of applications and services, including those provided via mobile applications.
At S320, an orchestration run-time execution service of the cloud-based services architecture may manage creation and execution of a first “analytic model” and a second custom “analytic model” in a tenant-specific space. As used herein, the phrase “analytic model” may refer to, for example, a model that runs key complex analysis algorithms on significant data sets. According to some embodiments, the tenant-specific space uses a service broker architecture and interface for individual service level tenancy while providing a mechanism to provision tenant-specific service instances and a registry mapping tenant to service instances.
At S330, the service may customize the first analytic model to run as a service having: (i) at least some of the received operational data as an input, and (ii) a result of a first analytics process as an output. At S340, the service may customize the second analytic model to run as a service having: (i) the output of the first analytic model as an input, and (ii) a result of a second analytics process as an output. Note that that the input of the second analytic model may be received from the output of the first analytic model without leaving the tenant-specific space. According to some embodiments, the output of the second analytic model is to be provided to an asset service, a time-series service, and/or a Relational DataBase Management System (“RDBMS”). Moreover, a relationship between the first analytics service and the second analytics service might be associated with a sequence flow, a conditional flow, a custom data connector, a model library, and/or an analytic message queue.
According to some embodiments, a workflow engine of the orchestration run-time execution service arranges for the output from the first analytic model is provided as inputs to a plurality of other analytic models running as services in the tenant-specific space. Similarly, a workflow engine of the orchestration run-time execution service might arrange for outputs from a plurality of other analytic models running as services in the tenant-specific space are provided into the first analytic model as inputs.
According to some embodiments, the output of the first analytic model is stored into a cache within the tenant-specific space before being provided as the input of the second analytic model. The cache might comprise, for example, an in-memory cache of the tenant-specific space. Because this process is performed entirely “in memory” inside the tenant-specific space, execution of the models may be efficient and relatively fast.
The cloud services 450 may, for example, facilitate the presentation of interactive displays 460 (e.g., mobile display) to a user in accordance with any of the embodiments described herein. For example the cloud services 450 may automatically facilitate analytic model chaining within a tenant-specific space in an efficient and accurate manner. In this way, the system may comprise a machine-centric solution that supports heterogeneous data acquisition, storage, management, integration, and access. Moreover, the system may provide advanced predictive analytics and guide users with intuitive interfaces that are delivered securely in the cloud. In this way, users may rapidly build, securely deploy, and effectively operation industrial applications in connection with the industrial Internet of Things (“IoT”).
Note that a cloud services 450 platform may offer a standardized way to enable an enterprise to quickly take advantage of operational and business innovations. By using the platform which is designed around a re-usable building block approach, developers can build applications quickly, leverage customized work, reduce errors, develop and share best practices, lower any risk of cost and/or time overruns, and/or future-proof initial investments. Moreover, independent third parties may build applications and services for the platform, allowing businesses to extend capabilities easily by tapping an industrial ecosystem. In this way, the platform may drive insights that transform and/or improve Asset Performance Management (“APM”), operations, and/or business.
The analytics 630 may interact with analytic message queues 632, an analytic data/model service 660, and/or a cache 640 for data or a model (e.g., via get/put operations). The analytic data/model service 660 may provide results to an asset service 682 and/or a time-series service 684 as well as to an RDBMS 686 via a custom data connector service 662. Note that the cache 640 may store an analytic state 642 and be used to store an output of a first analytic model within the tenant-specific space before being provided as an input of a second analytic model. The cache 640 might comprise, for example, an in-memory cache of the tenant-specific space. Because this process is performed entirely “in memory” inside the tenant-specific space, the cache 640 may help make execution of the models efficient and relatively fast. According to some embodiments, tenant configuration management services 694 may receive information from cloud service brokers 692 and store information into a tenant configuration database 696.
The embodiments described herein may be implemented using any number of different hardware configurations. For example,
The processor 710 also communicates with a storage device 730. The storage device 730 may comprise any appropriate information storage device, including combinations of magnetic storage devices (e.g., a hard disk drive), optical storage devices, mobile telephones, and/or semiconductor memory devices. The storage device 730 stores a program 712 and/or an orchestration engine 714 for controlling the processor 710. The processor 710 performs instructions of the programs 712, 714, and thereby operates in accordance with any of the embodiments described herein. For example, the processor 710 might receive operating data from a set of enterprise system devices. A cloud-based services architecture may include a tenant-specific space and an orchestration run-time execution service to manage creation and execution of a first and a second custom analytic model in the tenant-specific space. Moreover, the first analytic model may be customized via the processor 710 to run as a service having: (i) some of the received operational data as an input, and (ii) a result of a first analytics process as an output. The second analytic model may be customized via the processor 710 to run as a service having: (i) the output of the first analytic model as an input, and (ii) a result of a second analytics process as an output. According to some embodiments, the input of the second analytic model is received from the first analytic model without leaving the tenant-specific space.
The programs 712, 714 may be stored in a compressed, uncompiled and/or encrypted format. The programs 712, 714 may furthermore include other program elements, such as an operating system, a database management system, and/or device drivers used by the processor 710 to interface with peripheral devices.
As used herein, information may be “received” by or “transmitted” to, for example: (i) the apparatus 700 from another device; or (ii) a software application or module within the apparatus 700 from another software application, module, or any other source.
As shown in
The analytic model identifier 1002 might be a unique alphanumeric code identifying 1002 an algorithm, process, etc., that might be performed on data. The analytic model identifier 1002 might also identify one or more tenants associated with the model. For example, analytic models “AM_101” through “AM_104” might all be associated with a single tenant (“T_101”) as illustrated in
Although the examples 902, 904 of
In still other embodiments, a workflow engine of an orchestration run-time execution service might arrange for outputs from a plurality of other analytic models running as services and/or other sources in the tenant-specific space to be provided into an analytic model as inputs. For example,
Thus, some embodiments described herein may automatically facilitate analytic model chaining within a tenant-specific space in an efficient and accurate manner. Moreover, such an approach may increase asset utilization with predictive analytics, improving performance and efficiency that can result in lower repair costs. Moreover, embodiments may achieve new levels of performance, reliability, and availability throughout the life cycle of an industrial asset.
The following illustrates various additional embodiments of the invention. These do not constitute a definition of all possible embodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is applicable to many other embodiments. Further, although the following embodiments are briefly described for clarity, those skilled in the art will understand how to make any changes, if necessary, to the above-described apparatus and methods to accommodate these and other embodiments and applications.
Although specific hardware and data configurations have been described herein, note that any number of other configurations may be provided in accordance with embodiments of the present invention (e.g., some of the information associated with the databases and apparatus described herein may be split, combined, and/or handled by external systems). Applicants have discovered that embodiments described herein may be particularly useful in connection with industrial asset management systems, although embodiments may be used in connection other any other type of asset.
While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.