Abstract:
Systems and methods are provided for evaluating financial information, including systems and methods with computational/evaluation capability to process data sets comprising financial data. In one of the implementations, the systems and methods may be utilized for asset accounting. A calculation module may be provided that includes an evaluation engine that operates internally on a flat, generic data structure that is independent of the particular application. The externally-defined data structure of the data set may be mapped onto the internal data structure. Further, rules-based modules may provide information related to the client-defined rules. A user interface may enable a user to receive back the evaluated financial information, for a specified time period, the financial information being responsive to an original user request entered via the user interface. As a result, the evaluation engine can be used for a variety of different applications.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention generally relates to data evaluation systems and methods. More particularly, the invention relates to financial systems and methods that use an encapsulated engine to perform evaluation and calculation of data sets. 
         [0003]    2. Background Information 
         [0004]    Financial environments have become increasingly complex. Developers of computer systems and programs for these environments need to take into consideration an array of different factors and issues. As a result, any newly developed system or program, that aims at effectively dealing with the challenges of the financial sector, is typically developed on a case-by-case basis, and is limited to the specific application for which it was developed. 
         [0005]    In recent years, programmers have devoted considerable effort to developing programs that are somewhat adaptable to different situations, so as to reduce the need to create and reprogram source code. Accordingly, such engines, although perhaps providing significant adaptability, are still application-specific engines and would require substantial code revision to be re-used in other applications. 
         [0006]    The specific business environments for which the financial programs are developed are as varied as the companies and industries in which they exist. The differences include, for example, country-related factors and industry-related factors. 
         [0007]    The country-related factors include various legal environments, for example, different tax laws; or different accounting methods, for example, the “declining balance method” used in Japan and Korea or the depreciation on the group asset level used in the USA. 
         [0008]    Industry-related factors relate to the way assets are accounted for in different industries and the available business records. Often, the usage of accounting information may be provided in an industry standard or proprietary format. Accordingly, accounting, as well as, financial programs are generally designed on a case-by-case basis to handle particular types of data and specific data structures. 
         [0009]    In order to deal with multiple factors, ready-made financial programs are usually inadequate and companies decide to custom-design programs for particular applications so as to support, for example, externally-defined data according to client-defined rules. However, the process of developing custom code on a per application basis is expensive, disruptive to the company&#39;s business, and unreliable. Significant company resources are often devoted to educating the developers, providing test data, analysing the test results and troubleshooting the program. In addition, due to the complexity of developing custom code from basic principles, the resulting programs are prone to errors or inadequate performance and may take significant time to develop into satisfactory products. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Embodiments consistent with the present invention may address one or more of the above-noted problems. For example, systems and methods consistent with the invention may address the need for flexible and reliable financial calculation/evaluation systems. Such systems and methods may support, among other things, externally defined data structures of various business environments and data handling according to client-defined rules. Moreover, systems and methods consistent with the invention may utilize an encapsulated calculation/evaluation engine that works independently of application-specific data structures. Thus, development time frames may be substantially reduced with corresponding cost savings. Further, system reliability may be enhanced, due to the ability to reuse the generalized platform. 
         [0011]    According to one embodiment, a system and method are provided for processing data sets. The data sets may comprise financial data, and each data set may include at least a posting date and be indicative of a financial evaluation rule. As disclosed herein, the data sets may be received from an external application database. Further, the data sets may be sorted by posting date to provide an ordered sequence of data sets. 
         [0012]    In the exemplary system and method, an initial segment covering a time span from the posting date of the initial data set of the sequence to the end date may be created. Thereafter, an ordered sequence of data sets may be processed by the engine, adding a consecutive data set of the sequence to the initial segment if the consecutive data set has the same posting date and financial evaluation rule as the first data set or, otherwise, splitting the initial segment into first and second segments. Loop processing of further consecutive data sets of the ordered sequence may follow, wherein adding occurs when a consecutive data set matches an initial data set. 
         [0013]    In case the posting date of the consecutive data set is not the same as the first data set, splitting of the initial segment into first and second segments may occur. The first segment may cover a time span between an initial posting and a consecutive posting date, and the second segment may cover a time span between the consecutive posting date and an end date. Additionally, or alternatively, splitting may occur in case the posting date of the consecutive data set is the same, but the consecutive data set comprises different a financial evaluation rule. 
         [0014]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and should not be considered restrictive of the scope of the invention, as described and claimed. Further, features and/or variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, embodiments of the invention may be directed to various combinations and sub-combinations of the features described in the detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments and aspects consistent with the present invention. In the drawings: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data evaluation system for processing data sets with financial data, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of an exemplary process for performing financial data evaluation, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of another exemplary process for performing financial data evaluation; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of another exemplary data evaluation system for processing of data sets with financial data, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    The following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Where appropriate, the same reference numbers in different drawings refer to the same or similar elements. 
         [0021]    Embodiments consistent with the present invention are applicable to many different industries. Further, from this disclosure, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the various embodiments and concepts of the invention are applicable to plurality of industries without straying from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary data calculation/evaluation system  100  for processing of data sets  116  comprising financial data, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. Each data set may include a posting date and be indicative of a financial evaluation rule. The data sets may be transferred to data calculation/evaluation system  100  for processing via an interface  110  from an external application database  114  of a data source  112 . 
         [0023]    According to one embodiment of the invention, data sets comprising financial data can originate from an investment database  118 , if future investments need to be evaluated and planned, and/or the data sets may come from an asset accounting module  120 , if the initial request includes calculation of such values as, for example, depreciation, interest or revaluation. When providing the data sets, a user may specify an evaluation period by entering an end date. 
         [0024]    An externally-defined data structure of the data set may be mapped onto the internal data structure and the transformation of application-specific data structure into the flat, generic data structure may take place. Subsequently, evaluation system  100  may determine the start and the end period as requested by the user and accordingly an initial segment covering a time span from the posting date of the initial data set of the sequence to the end date is created. 
         [0025]    Next, data sets  104  may be sorted by posting date to provide an ordered sequence of data sets that is then processed by evaluation engine  108 . At this point, a consecutive data set of the sequence may be added to the initial segment if the consecutive data set has the same posting date and financial evaluation rule as the first data set. Otherwise, the initial segment may be split into first and second segments. Creation of segments, determination of appropriate segment(s), and splitting or updating of segments may take place in segmentation module  106 . Further, calculation of the requested amounts with the use of the implemented algorithm may be performed by calculation module  102 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary process for performing financial data evaluation, consistent with an embodiment of the invention. The exemplary method of  FIG. 2  may be implemented using, for example, the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0027]    In step  200 , data sets comprising financial data, each data set having at least a posting date and each data set being indicative of a financial evaluation rule, are received from an external application database. In step  202 , the user enters an end date to set the evaluation period. Next, in step  204 , an external application-specific data structure of the data set is mapped onto the internal structure and the structure is transformed. 
         [0028]    Subsequently, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the creation and determination of segments follows. Specifically, in step  206 , the posting dates representative of changes are identified and the evaluation engine determines how those changes relate to the initial segment. In step  208 , calculations according to financial evaluation rules are performed. Then, the structure of the data sets is transformed back into the original, application-specific structure (step  210 ) and, finally, the data sets are send back to the application (step  212 ). 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  illustrates a more detailed flowchart of another exemplary process for evaluating financial data, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. Step  300  permits flexible determining of evaluation period by entering of an end date by the user. In step  302 , data sets are ordered by the posting date into the ordered sequence D 1 , D 2 , . . . Di, where i is initially set to one (step  304 ). In step  306 , initialisation takes place. This may include creating an initial segment covering time span from the posting date (D 1 ) to end date with the assigned evaluation rule. In the following step (step  308 ), incrementing or loop processing of the data sets may be performed. 
         [0030]    Each time the evaluation is performed and the decision is made (step  310 ), if data set Di matches an existing segments, then the consecutive data set is added to the existing segment (step  312 ). However, in case the consecutive data set does not match an existing segment, then the existing segments covering the posting date Di are determined (step  314 ) from the perspective of posting date representing the change and from the perspective of matching financial evaluation rules. If the data set Di does not fit the previous segment, then it may be split into the two consecutive segments (step  316 ). Also, if the posting date representing the change does fit the initial segment and the financial evaluation rules are different, then the previous segment may be split into the two new segments as well (step  316 ). Finally, if the change fits the initial segment, the data set is added to newly created segment (step  318 ). 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  illustrates another exemplary data evaluation system, consistent with an embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 4 , data sets  416  are received from an external application database  414  of a data source  412 . The data sets may be received from an investment database  418 , if future investments need to be evaluated and planned, and/or from an asset accounting database  420 , if the initial request includes calculation of such values as, for example, depreciation, interest or revaluation (inflation). As shown in  FIG. 4 , the data sets may be received via an application interface  426 . 
         [0032]    The received data sets may comprise financial data, and each data set may include at least a posting date and be indicative of a financial evaluation rule. Further, the data sets coming from external applications may have an application-specific data structure, since calculation/evaluation system  400  of the shown embodiment works with a generic, flat data structure. The externally-defined data structure of the data set may be mapped onto the internal data structure of a data set  404  and data set  416  may be transformed using an internal interface  410 . In one embodiment, the transformation takes place in the main memory  413 . Further, the data set  404  may have an application-independent data structure, and also have at least a posting date and be indicative of a financial evaluation rule. 
         [0033]    The set of financial rules used by the calculation/evaluation system may comprise validation rules  409 ,  432 , calculation rules  407 ,  430  and/or definitions of periods  411 ,  434 . The set of rules used in the present invention may be partially client-defined, such as external validation rules  432 , calculation rules  430 , and/or specific periods  434 . Also, the set of rules may comprise internal rules, such as validation rules  409 , calculation rules  407  and/or period definitions  411 . 
         [0034]    Validation rules  409  allow for the validating of data against master files or tables. For example, it may first be determined whether the received value(s) should be checked. Then, the received data may be checked using Boolean logic. Examples include: specification of the maximum possible depreciation; use of constrains including the use of the negative values, etc. 
         [0035]    By way of example, calculation rules  407  may include a determination of the base value for the considered period where it is specified if the calculation has to be of the type arithmetic, geometric or similar, as well as a calculation factor where the type of the calculation method is taken into consideration, including for example: linear, stated percentage, declining, country specific, customer specific or other. 
         [0036]    Period determination through the use of the period factor may also be performed by the evaluation engine  408 . It needs to be determined in this case if the user needs the calculation to be done on the basis of days, weeks or months, or if some other standard needs to be used, for example 13 periods for a fiscal year. Also, period weighting can be used, where for example, an additional weight can be added if the multiple-shifts were used in a specific period. 
         [0037]    Subsequently, evaluation system  400  may determine the start and the end period as requested by the user and, accordingly, create an initial segment covering a time span from the posting date of the initial data set of the sequence to the end date. Next, data sets  404  may be sorted by posting date to provide an ordered sequence of data sets. An ordered sequence of data sets may then be processed by the evaluation engine  408 , adding a consecutive data set of the sequence to the initial segment if the consecutive data set has the same posting date and financial evaluation rule as the first data set. Otherwise, a splitting of the initial segment into first and second segments may be performed. The creating of segments, determining of the appropriate segment, and the splitting or updating of segments may take place in segmentation module  406 . 
         [0038]    Before a calculation can be performed, it needs to be determined which master data  422  and which configuration data  428  is required for the calculation. When the evaluation engine has the necessary data and the financial rules, calculation module  402  may perform a computation using the following formula: amount=period factor*base value*calculation factor. The process of computing continues until the ordered sequence is not empty by looping at the determined periods. The results of the calculations are stored in memory  413  as data  415  or in the form of tables  417 . Then, they are returned to the application after transforming back the generic data structure of the data sets back into the application-specific data structure. The results are stored in application memory  424  unless the user specifies that the results should be stored permanently. 
         [0039]    To provide a further understanding of the scope of the invention, the following example is provided for asset accounting: 
         [0040]    According to an implemented algorithm of the calculation/evaluation program, the required amount is not calculated for each change separately. Instead, the amount is calculated by taking into account all changes, which are relevant for the considered time period. 
         [0041]    There may be two changes on a fixed asset: an acquisition of 100,000 on the 1.01.2003, and a transfer of 20,000 on the 01.07.2003. The depreciation amount is calculated as, for example, 10% of the acquisition and production costs per year. Also assume that one period is equal to one calendar month. 
         [0042]    In the first step, the depreciation amount is calculated for the first six months, taking into account the acquisition in the period one (1): 
         [0000]      100,000*10%*6/12=−5,000 
         [0043]    In the next step, the amount will be calculated for the last six months, taking into account both the acquisition and the transfer: 
         [0000]      (100,000+20,000)*10%*6/12=−6,000 
         [0044]    The total depreciation amount is then computed as the sum: 
         [0000]      −5,000+−6,000=−11,000 
         [0045]    In the current program, the depreciation amount on the first acquisition is calculated for the 12 months: 
         [0000]      100,000*10%*12/12=−10,000 
         [0046]    Depreciation amount on the transfer is calculated for the last 6 months: 
         [0000]      20,000*10%*6/12=−1,000 
         [0047]    The total depreciation amount is the sum: 
         [0000]      −10,000+−1,000=−11,000 
         [0048]    Further, the application-independent data structure may be flat to allow the calculations to be performed quickly and very precisely, for example: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Dura- 
                   
                   
                 Depre- 
               
               
                 No. 
                 Start 
                 Value 
                 tion 
                 Percentage 
                 End 
                 ciation 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1 
                 01.01.2003 
                 100,000 
                 10 
                 10% 
                 30.06.2003 
                 −5,000 
               
               
                 2 
                 01.07.2003 
                  20,000 
                 10 
                 10% 
                 31.12.2003 
                 −6,000 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0049]    After the calculations are performed, the structure of the data sets is transformed back into the original, application-specific structure and the results are not stored in the database but they are sent back to the application as an accumulated result. 
         [0050]    The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the invention to the precise forms or embodiments disclosed. Modifications and adaptations of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed embodiments of the invention. For example, the described implementations include software, but systems and methods consistent with the present invention may be implemented as a combination of hardware and software or in hardware alone. Additionally, although aspects of the invention are described for being stored in memory, one skilled in the art will appreciate that these aspects can also be stored on other types of computer-readable media, such as secondary storage devices, for example, hard disks, floppy disks, or CD-ROM, the Internet or other propagation medium, or other forms of RAM or ROM. 
         [0051]    Computer programs based on the written description and flow charts of this invention are within the skill of an experienced developer. The various programs or program modules can be created using any of the techniques known to one skilled in the art or can be designed in connection with existing software. For example, programs or program modules can be designed in or by means of Java, C++, HTML, XML, or HTML with included Java applets or in SAP R/3 or ABAP. One or more of such modules can be integrated in existing e-mail or browser software. 
         [0052]    Moreover, while illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described herein, the scope of the invention includes any and all embodiments having equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those in the art based on the present disclosure. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. 
         [0053]    Accordingly, other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is therefore intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.