Abstract: Under the present invention queues are associated with each of a set (e.g., one or more) of work lists of work items to be monitored. Work items that are desired to be monitored are designated by selecting the users assigned thereto. In so selecting, the present invention allows all users to be selected in which case all work items will be monitored, or individual users to be selected in which case only the work items assigned thereto will be monitored. In any event, the designated work items are then monitored according to a predefined schedule for any changes in state (e.g., change in status, change in priority, change in assignment, etc.). The monitored states are then stored in the associated queues, and electronic messages are sent to the assigned users based on those stored states.

Abstract: Under the present invention, parameters and configuration information (e.g., a file) for the monitoring process are read. Among other things, the configuration information specifies names of message queues for applications to be monitored. Thereafter, heartbeat messages are published to the message queues specified in the configuration information. If the heartbeat messages are not read within an expiration time period (as also specified in the configuration information), they are placed in an error queue for handling by an error handler.

Abstract: The present invention provides a connection manager, method, system and program product for centrally managing computer applications. Specifically, under the present invention, a connection manager is provided that centrally manages the applications through a queue broker, and communicates with components of a heartbeat manager and cleanup manager. The connection manager of the present invention provides, among other things, a centralized point for: (1) applications to directly connect to one another; (2) heartbeats of the applications to be monitored; and (3) any necessary cleanup actions to be implemented.

Abstract: The bill of material assist tool overcomes or alleviates the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a method and system for managing parts requirements processes, including generating detailed bills of material with key information necessary for component selection and generation and which indicates multiple sources for those components. The system includes a host system including a workstation; a server; a network connection for allowing the workstation and server to communicate; and a storage device coupled to the workstation. The system also includes a data storage device housing databases of parts information, procurement information, computer-aided drafting information, approved vendors lists, and bill of material files. One or more of these databases may be supplemented with or substituted by commercially provided databases and/or applications.