Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-23
2001-09-25
Black, Thomas (Department: 2171)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000, C707S793000, C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295536
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a system for collaboration between widely distributed users and, more particularly, for the users to submit and receive data stored in a collection of independent databases of an enterprise using enterprise-standard forms and reports from user-selected data sources.
2. Description of the Related Art
Regardless of the type of work a worker wants to accomplish, obtaining access to data is often a critical task. At this point in time, there is much data available in computer-readable formats. However, typically computer system design has involved relatively small-scale projects designed to meet a specific need or two. In large organizations, even when the software is standardized, often the databases are local, for both communication efficiency and to reflect differences in local conditions.
One reason why variations exist in local databases can be explained with reference to procurement systems. Some products and services required by an organization are best obtained from nearby companies. Therefore, when an organization has personnel based hundreds or thousands of miles apart, it is beneficial for the procurement systems used in different localities to have only the data needed at that locality. For example, there is no need for a purchasing agent to have access to a list of all the coffee services used by a multinational corporation. There are also often differences in the functions performed at different locations and it is usually more efficient to limit data availability to what a user is expected to need.
There are many types of organizations which experience such problems. Any organization with personnel in locations separated by hundreds or thousands of kilometers might experience such situations, including businesses, governments and non-governmental organizations. Different terminology is used to describe the divisions and subdivisions of such organizations. In the description below, the term “enterprise” will be used to refer to the largest organizational level and the term “agency” will be used to refer to a smaller group within the enterprise. However, the problems and concepts are not limited to business enterprises or government agencies, but include any large organization, whether divided into subsidiaries, divisions, departments, or any other term describing an organizational sub-entity.
There are many occasions when changing circumstances require access to more information than what is stored locally. When the required information is available elsewhere in database(s) of an organization, it is desirable for workers to have an easy way to directly access the data via the same computer used to access data stored locally. However, using conventional technology, a large amount of work is required to-design the communication and interface software. Even when the data is stored in compatible formats in two different locations, if the systems used to access the data were not designed to permit remote access, the user at one location will have difficulty accessing the data at another location. In typical multi-agency enterprises, users are limited to a single agency's database or are required to perform complex configuration tasks to connect to other agency databases. Previously, users would fill out enterprise standard forms in applications that were limited to a single agency's reference data. A manual change to application configuration files was required to utilize a separate agency's database.
This problem is exacerbated when more than mere data access is provided by the computer system. Existing systems require users to be connected to the same agency database to route a standard form to other users for collaboration. To receive information in report form from multiple agency sources also requires manual application configuration changes or a paper-based process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide on-line access to data in multiple existing databases regardless of location.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system for routing documents to geographically or organizationally diverse users for collaboration and approval.
It is a further object of the present invention to support existing security requirements for access to data by geographically and organizationally diverse users.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a system permitting a user to route documents containing data obtained from local or remote databases to a database of a selected agency all under the system's control of access to the databases.
It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide a procurement system that permits a user to select from among geographically and organizationally diverse databases and route purchase requests to multiple agencies for approval and requisition.
The above objects can be attained by a computer program having an object framework including a document handling module maintaining records relating to forms and attachments; a document routing module routing forms to users for editing and approval; and an interface module interfacing with the plurality of databases. Preferably, the computer program also includes creating agency profiles stored in enterprise databases; and registering users in response to completion of at least one form by the users by storing a user profile in the enterprise databases. When a user selects an agency from the agency profiles in the enterprise databases, the user can request and receive data from that agency's independent database. Forms can be completed by the user with agency-specific information in that agency's independent database combined with information from the enterprise databases. The principles of the invention may be used in applications such as purchasing or procurement; retrieval of archived or imaged data, such as court documents; and many other applications.
These together with other objects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
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American Management Systems, Inc.
Black Thomas
Rones Charles L.
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