Abstract: The invention is directed to an integrated computerized product lifecycle manager and requirements manager system for associating high-level requirements data with everyday product lifecycle management activities. The system includes a networked database comprised of one or more central computerized data servers, and a plurality of user computers (terminals, workstations) connected to the central server or servers by a computer data network. The server or servers will usually run multiple software modules such as database modules, various product lifecycle management modules, data viewer and decoder modules, and requirements management modules all operating in an integrated manner so that selected portions of the requirements tree, from the top high-level requirements to more detailed low level requirements, can be presented to users in a context relevant manner.

Abstract: Techniques for managing and estimating supply costs, by drilling down through detailed component lists of tree structured component specifications and rolling up pricing estimates based on predetermined, projected and available criteria and automatically accounting for costs in an organized manner. The costs may be analyzed from a historical perspective, accounting for future costs based on historical cost data within a given past or future date range. The costs may also be analyzed based on average costs of available costed items. Quotes can be received from suppliers for use in estimating supply costs. In addition, scenarios such as partnership splits, where multiple suppliers manufacture and supply common components to buyers at same or different prices, can be taken into account.

Abstract: Techniques for propagating product information from a central database to one or more remote systems using disparate formats and protocols. In an embodiment, the central database is polled at predetermined intervals to determine whether a change has been made to information pertaining to a product. If a change is identified, a data management server extracts, formats, and transmits the changed data from the central database to an appropriate remote system. An application adapter communicatively coupled with the remote system receives the changed data from the data management server and formats the changed data according to the remote system platform.

Abstract: A method for assisting a user with procurement decisions, sourcing decisions and strategic sourcing decisions in an enterprise is disclosed. The method implements a plurality of software modules in a logical workflow process based on the results of integrating and analyzing data. The workflow process provides a plurality of steps for discovering data, analyzing data, alerting the user about the data, recommending actions to the user based on the data, and executing those actions. The workflow process is based on a Value Chain Intelligence (VCI) system, which integrates and analyzes internal data from enterprises and external data from suppliers, catalogs, and marketplaces in real time for their impact on supply chains processes. Components for such a system may consist of internal data collection components, external data collection components, data integration components, and data application components.

Abstract: A criteria-based system and method is provided for performing workload management. Unlike conventional systems, the invention provides a system and method that includes a core workload management entity for performing workload management for multiple process lines. Each process line is defined based on the criteria for a workload, such as a product line or service based task. The method may include providing initial information related to components supply, then developing workflow processes and workflow exit criteria algorithms for individual workflow steps. The exit criteria may produce a common thread among multiple product lines, allowing the process to extend to create a diverse master workflow system to manage and monitor the workflow of an organization. The system and method are adaptable to product supply chain workflow management, project management, service provision management, and any other scenario where some level of concurrent management of multiple workflows is desired.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for automatically managing item record interchange in a business enterprise, where an item may be a product, component part, partially assembled or manufactured part, a process, or other item that requires indicia used to identify it within a business enterprise, whether it is a single company enterprise, or a widespread business that receives items from other sources such as manufacturers, suppliers, purchasers, shippers, or other entities. The system provides a universal solution that allows the intake of item records, such as records for manufacturer component parts shipped to a product manufacturer, and integrating the part records from disparate sources into a standard and useable format.

Abstract: A method and device such as a database for storing and providing controlled access to objects and associated documents by multiple users according to predetermined privileges set by the owner, or host, of the stored information. Individual users, or guests, can be given access to the objects, its attributes and associated documents as determined by the host of the information. The host of the information can set up access privileges based on any type of relationship. This is particularly useful in complex business relationships between a host and a plurality of users, both of which may be sensitive about their trade secrets and other confidential information.

Abstract: A method and device such as a database for storing and providing controlled access to objects and associated documents by multiple users according to predetermined privileges set by the owner, or host, of the stored information. Individual users, or guests, can be given access to the objects, its attributes and associated documents as determined by the host of the information. The host of the information can set up access privileges based on any type of relationship. This is particularly useful in complex business relationships between a host and a plurality of users, both of which may be sensitive about their trade secrets and other confidential information.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a computerized system and method to allow manufacturers to ensure that their products are free of environmentally undesirable substances, such as toxic elements and chemicals, and thus comply with government substance regulations. The computerized system allows manufacturers to integrate substance information that is relevant to government substance regulations into an overall product lifecycle management system that makes this information immediately available to product design, manufacturing, purchasing, quality assurance, sales and regulatory personnel, thus facilitating production of environmentally compliant products.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for creating a supplier-rating matrix for rating services of a supplier. The method includes defining a plurality of job attributes each including a plurality of sub-attributes, each sub-attribute representing a range of job attribute values and defining a job attribute vector associated with the supplier, the job attribute vector including a plurality of dimensions each corresponding to a sub-attribute. The method further includes defining a plurality of performance metrics and defining a performance vector associated with the supplier, the performance vector including a plurality of dimensions each corresponding to a performance metric. The method further includes defining a initial values for the job attribute vector and the performance vector and generating a supplier rating matrix for the supplier by mathematically combining the job attribute vector and the performance vector.

Abstract: A data management system is provided that is designed to automatically propagate changes in information related to a product being designed or manufactured. The product information may be stored in a central location such as a central data base. According to the invention, product information may be transferred to remote locations to systems having disparate formats and protocols. The product information may be configured into a standard format within the central data base and transferred to remote and disparate user locations for use in user's engineering and manufacturing information systems. The invention may further include an administration module communicating with the central database and configured to validate product data stored in the data base. This would ensure that the centrally stored data is accessible by the system.

Abstract: A system for and method of searching for data in a multi-level hierarchical database coupled with a search engine is disclosed. The invention allows not only direct where-used searches in a multi-level hierarchical database for modified objects in a hierarchical database, but also indirect where-used searches for a target object or objects that are modified directly by a user or that are modified indirectly due to modifications of an object and objects with a higher hierarchy than the target object or objects.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for automatically managing item record interchange in a business enterprise, where an item may be a product, component part, partially assembled or manufactured part, a process, or other item that requires indicia used to identify it within a business enterprise, whether it is a single company enterprise, or a widespread business that receives items from other sources such as manufacturers, suppliers, purchasers, shippers, or other entities. The system provides a universal solution that allows the intake of item records, such as records for manufacturer component parts shipped to a product manufacturer, and integrating the part records from disparate sources into a standard and useable format.

Abstract: A data management system propagates changes in product information. The product information is stored in a central data base for transfer to remote systems having disparate formats and protocols. The system includes an administration module to validate product data stored in the data base. This ensures that the data is accessible by the system. The system also includes a product change module configured to determine whether a change has been made to data related to a product. When changes are discovered, a data management server is alerted to the change. In response to the alert, the data server extracts, formats and transmits the changes in product data from the central data base to an appropriate user system. An application adapter communicating with the user system then receives the changed data from the data server and formats the data according to the user system platform.

Abstract: A data management system is provided that is designed to automatically propagate changes in information related to a product being designed or manufactured. The product information may be stored in a central location such as a central data base. According to the invention, product information may be transferred to remote locations to systems having disparate formats and protocols. The product information may be configured into a standard format within the central data base and transferred to remote and disparate user locations for use in user's engineering and manufacturing information systems. The invention may further include an administration module communicating with the central database and configured to validate product data stored in the data base. This would ensure that the centrally stored data is accessible by the system.

Abstract: A data management system for automatically propagating changes in information related to a product being designed or manufactured from a central location to remote and disparate user information systems includes a central data base for storing and maintaining data, an administration module communicating with the central database and having software code that can configure the administration module to validate data related to a product; a product change module communicating with the central data base and having software code that can configure the product change module to poll the central data base to determine whether a change has been made to data related to a product; and a data server having code that extracts, formats and transmits changes in data stored in the central data base to a user system, the data being transferred according to predetermined data requirements of the disparate information system.

Abstract: A method and device such as a database for storing and providing controlled access to objects and associated documents by multiple users according to predetermined privileges set by the owner, or host, of the stored information. Individual users, or guests, can be given access to the objects, its attributes and associated documents as determined by the host of the information. The host of the information can set up access privileges based on any type of relationship. This is particularly useful in complex business relationships between a host and a plurality of users, both of which may be sensitive about their trade secrets and other confidential information.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for facilitating improved communication between a browser and a cluster of multi threaded process instances to perform services, such as accessing a database. The process instances are configured to communicate with other process instances in the cluster, and to communicate with and retrieve state information of particular instances from a central location. A cluster monitoring instance is also provided to separately monitor the operating states of a process instance and to enable operations that pertain to the state of these instances. A process monitoring instance may be configured to determine whether a process instance has terminated a session detected by the session monitoring instance. A rerouting instance may also be provided that is configured to recover browser session information in the event of a premature end of a session.

Abstract: A criteria-based system and method is provided for performing workload management. Unlike conventional systems, the invention provides a system and method that includes a core workload management entity for performing workload management for multiple process lines. Each process line is defined based on the criteria for a workload, such as a product line or service based task. The method may include providing initial information related to components supply, then developing workflow processes and workflow exit criteria algorithms for individual workflow steps. The exit criteria may produce a common thread among multiple product lines, allowing the process to extend to create a diverse master workflow system to manage and monitor the workflow of an organization. The system and method are adaptable to product supply chain workflow management, project management, service provision management, and any other scenario where some level of concurrent management of multiple workflows is desired.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and a method for where-used searches in a hierarchical database. Unlike database systems in prior art, the invention allows fast, efficient and convenient where-used search for data with multiple revisions in a multi-level hierarchical database.