Abstract: Embodiments for maintaining a company profile of a company associated with a supplier/buyer commerce network are disclosed. One method includes collecting activity information of the company. The collecting includes monitoring a plurality of databases that each maintains activity information associated with the company, assigning a unique identification for the company across the plurality of databases, exporting the activity information associated with the company from each of the plurality of databases, and aggregating the activity information. The method further includes updating the company profile with the aggregated activity information of the company.

Abstract: Embodiments of method, systems and apparatuses for dynamic collaboration of a buyer/supplier network are disclosed. One method includes providing a buyer with a catalog or non-catalog item. A collaboration request is submitted by the buyer, thereby initiating a negotiation with one or more suppliers. The collaboration request is provided to the one or more suppliers. A proposal is received from at least one of the suppliers, and the buyer provides an acceptance or a rejection to each received proposal. An embodiment further specifies that the buyer collaborate with at least N suppliers, wherein N is selected by the buyer.

Abstract: Embodiments for methods, systems and apparatuses of a supplier/buyer commerce network electronically introducing buyer and suppliers are disclosed. One computer-method includes electronically harvesting information related to characteristics of at least one of the buyers and anonymizing the harvested information. The anonymously harvested information is presented to a selected set of the suppliers, and a formation of a business relationship is facilitated between suppliers who express an interest in the at least one buyer.

Abstract: Embodiments for maintaining a company profile of a company associated with a supplier/buyer commerce network are disclosed. One method includes collecting activity information of the company. The collecting includes monitoring a plurality of databases that each maintains activity information associated with the company, assigning a unique identification for the company across the plurality of databases, exporting the activity information associated with the company from each of the plurality of databases, and aggregating the activity information. The method further includes updating the company profile with the aggregated activity information of the company.

Abstract: A method and system for accessing a large object (LOB) that belongs to a cell in a table are provided. An index is built on a column in which the cell resides. The index has a key that includes a LOB identifier. A database server receives from a client a request to access the LOB. The server uses a LOB identifier value for the LOB to traverse the index to locate an index entry for the LOB. The server then follows address information contained in the index entry to a storage containing at least a portion of the LOB and accesses the portion of the LOB as specified in the request. A method and system for tracking storage for data items are also disclosed. Within an index that is built to access the data items are stored both index entries for locating blocks that store current versions of the data items, and index entries for locating blocks that store non-current versions of the data items.

Abstract: A method and system for accessing a large object (LOB) that belongs to a cell in a table are provided. An index is built on a column in which the cell resides. The index has a key that includes a LOB identifier. A database server receives from a client a request to access the LOB. The server uses a LOB identifier value for the LOB to traverse the index to locate an index entry for the LOB. The server then follows address information contained in the index entry to a storage containing at least a portion of the LOB and accesses the portion of the LOB as specified in the request. A method and system for tracking storage for data items are also disclosed. Within an index that is built to access the data items are stored both index entries for locating blocks that store current versions of the data items, and index entries for locating blocks that store non-current versions of the data items.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking storage for data items is provided. First, an index is built to access the data items. Then a first plurality of index entries for locating a first set of blocks are stored in the index, wherein blocks within the first set of blocks are blocks that store current first versions of the data items. Finally, a second plurality of index entries for locating a second set of blocks are stored in the index, wherein blocks within the second set of blocks are blocks that store non-current second versions of the data items.

Abstract: A method and system for accessing a large object (LOB) that belongs to a cell in a table are provided. An index is built on a column in which the cell resides. The index has a key that includes a LOB identifier. A database server receives from a client a request to access the LOB. The server uses a LOB identifier value for the LOB to traverse the index to locate an index entry for the LOB. The server then follows address information contained in the index entry to a storage containing at least a portion of the LOB and accesses the portion of the LOB as specified in the request. A method and system for tracking storage for data items are also disclosed. Within an index that is built to access the data items are stored both index entries for locating blocks that store current versions of the data items, and index entries for locating blocks that store non-current versions of the data items.