Abstract: A computer-implemented method for the automated structuring of data representing a tangible system. The method includes receiving first item information describing a first tangible item of the system, receiving first item position information describing a position of the first item, receiving second item information describing a second tangible item of the system, receiving second item position information describing a position of the second item, and characterizing a relationship between the first item and the second item based at least in part upon the first item position information and the second item position information.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for monitoring and reporting enterprise data by using a message-based data exchange. In one general aspect, the invention features a computer-implemented method that includes receiving at a message hub one or more messages from one or more sources. A message includes enterprise data. The method includes selecting a message from among the one or more messages, using an extractor implemented at the message hub to extract enterprise data from the selected message, and obtaining information regarding message traffic through the message hub. The method includes selecting a destination and sending to the destination the extracted enterprise data and information regarding message traffic.

Abstract: Embodiments consistent with the invention provide a computer-implemented method for providing a cross-system log in a distributed computer system environment having multiple computer systems. The method comprises electronically receiving data in a first system, the data including cross-system characteristics of a cross-system activity originating from a second computing system, electronically storing the data, electronically receiving a request to access the data, and electronically providing the requested data.

Abstract: A method for structuring a temporary system includes receiving information obtained by interrogating a tag on an article and establishing a relationship between the article and one or more other articles in the temporary system based at least in part upon the information obtained by interrogating the tag. The information obtained by interrogating the tag regards the article.

Abstract: A computer program product includes instructions operable to cause a data processing apparatus to receive a packed data structure, receive a linked data assemblage, identify a discrepancy between the packed data structure and the linked data assemblage, and update one of the packed data structure and the linked data assemblage to remove the discrepancy. In the packed data structure, a description of a relationship to a second element is included with a description of a first element. In the linked data assemblage, a description of the relationship between the first element and the second element is separate from the description of the first element and a description of the second element. The computer program product can be tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A method for structuring a temporary system includes receiving information obtained by interrogating a tag on an article and establishing a relationship between the article and one or more other articles in the temporary system based at least in part upon the information obtained by interrogating the tag. The information obtained by interrogating the tag regards the article.

Abstract: A method for structuring a temporary system includes receiving information obtained by interrogating a tag on an article and establishing a relationship between the article and one or more other articles in the temporary system based at least in part upon the information obtained by interrogating the tag. The information obtained by interrogating the tag regards the article.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for managing data consistency within a network of computer systems. The method includes, in a network, storing tables of level indicators and associated ownership entities in network systems, generating a data item in a first network system, associating the data item with one of the level indicators, and storing the level indicator with the generated data item.

Abstract: A method, a computer program, a computer program product, and a system for checking data consistency of data objects of distributed systems within a computer network are disclosed. System objects may be automatically merged with inbound objects by sending a first data object from a first system to a second system, storing a copy of the first data object within the second system, generating a second data object from the first data object, sending the second data object in the copy to the first system, and comparing at least one data package of the first data object with at least one data package of the received copy using a consistency check operation stored within the first data object, the second data object, or the copy.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a complex article, including retrieving maintenance information relating to maintenance of a component of a complex article from an electronically-accessible tag coupled to the component and applying the retrieved maintenance information to a determination regarding maintenance of the complex article. A device including a complex article including a first component and a second component, the first and second components being one of individually replaceable and maintainable. The first component is tagged with a first tag that stores first computer accessible information including a first identifier identifying the first component and first maintenance information describing maintenance of the first component. The second component is tagged with a second tag that stores second computer accessible information including a second identifier identifying the second component and second maintenance information describing maintenance of the second component.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for mapping data between a data tag and a database application using a generic and extensible mapping interface. A computer-implemented method includes: communicating with the data tag via a wireless interface using a data tag query protocol; communicating with a database application via a database interface using a database query protocol; reading a mapping definition; exchanging data between the wireless interface and the database interface by mapping between the data tag query protocol and the database query protocol within the mapping interface using the mapping definition; and storing the mapping definition separately from the mapping interface, providing separation between mapping interface and mapping definition.

Abstract: A method for structuring a temporary system includes receiving information obtained by interrogating a tag on an article and establishing a relationship between the article and one or more other articles in the temporary system based at least in part upon the information obtained by interrogating the tag. The information obtained by interrogating the tag regards the article.

Abstract: A method for structuring a temporary system includes receiving information obtained by interrogating a tag on an article and establishing a relationship between the article and one or more other articles in the temporary system based at least in part upon the information obtained by interrogating the tag. The information obtained by interrogating the tag regards the article.

Abstract: Embodiments consistent with the invention provide a computer-implemented method for providing a cross-system log in a distributed computer system environment having multiple computer systems. The method comprises electronically receiving data in a first system, the data including cross-system characteristics of a cross-system activity originating from a second computing system, electronically storing the data, electronically receiving a request to access the data, and electronically providing the requested data.

Abstract: Techniques for distributed production control include tagging unfinished products with electronically accessible production information that identifies aspects in which the products are to be produced differently. The production information is used to control an aspect of the production of a given product.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for insuring data consistency within a network of computer systems. The method includes, in a network, sending a first data object from a first system to a second system, storing a copy of the first data object in the second system, generating a second data object from the first data object, sending the second data object and the copy to the first system, and determining a match of the copy with a current state of corresponding data of the copy in the first system.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a complex article, including retrieving maintenance information relating to maintenance of a component of a complex article from an electronically-accessible tag coupled to the component and applying the retrieved maintenance information to a determination regarding maintenance of the complex article. A device including a complex article including a first component and a second component, the first and second components being one of individually replaceable and maintainable. The first component is tagged with a first tag that stores first computer accessible information including a first identifier identifying the first component and first maintenance information describing maintenance of the first component. The second component is tagged with a second tag that stores second computer accessible information including a second identifier identifying the second component and second maintenance information describing maintenance of the second component.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for monitoring and reporting enterprise data by using a message-based data exchange. In one general aspect, the invention features a computer-implemented method that includes receiving at a message hub one or more messages from one or more sources. A message includes enterprise data. The method includes selecting a message from among the one or more messages, using an extractor implemented at the message hub to extract enterprise data from the selected message, and obtaining information regarding message traffic through the message hub. The method includes selecting a destination and sending to the destination the extracted enterprise data and information regarding message traffic.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for mapping data between a data tag and a database application using a generic and extensible mapping interface. A computer-implemented method includes: communicating with the data tag via a wireless interface using a data tag query protocol; communicating with a database application via a database interface using a database query protocol; reading a mapping definition; exchanging data between the wireless interface and the database interface by mapping between the data tag query protocol and the database query protocol within the mapping interface using the mapping definition; and storing the mapping definition separately from the mapping interface, providing separation between mapping interface and mapping definition.

Abstract: A method, a computer program, a computer program product, and a system for checking data consistency of data objects of distributed systems within a computer network are disclosed. System objects may be automatically merged with inbound objects by sending a first data object from a first system to a second system, storing a copy of the first data object within the second system, generating a second data object from the first data object, sending the second data object in the copy to the first system, and comparing at least one data package of the first data object with at least one data package of the received copy using a consistency check operation stored within the first data object, the second data object, or the copy.