Abstract: A system prevents the creation of duplicate records and identifies, groups, and consolidates duplicate records and manages the associated workload. A method consolidates multiple records that are associated with a single entity and are stored in at least one record repository. The method involves identifying first and second records and applying record matching criteria to compare data element content of the first and second identified records to determine commonality data. The commonality data is indicative of a likelihood the first and second records are associated with a common entity. The first and second record content is merged into a composite record in response to the determined commonality data. One of the first and second records are selected as a surviving record based on earliest date of record creation or relative content of the first and second records.

Abstract: This invention is directed at a hem retainer comprising a strip of flexible material which has a series of first and second engagement portions. At least one of the first engagement portions is engageable with at least one of the second engagement portions to hold the strip of flexible material in a circular configuration.This invention is also directed at a method of forming a cuff on a pant leg or the like, the pant leg having an inside surface, an outside surface and an opening. The operator first measures the desired length of the pant leg, turns the pant leg inside out and then turns the excess length of the leg back on the inside surface of the pant leg. The hem retainer of the instant invention is formed into a circular configuration which is then inserted within the pant leg, adjacent the opening stretching the pant leg around the hem retainer by adjusting the circumference of the hem retainer. The operator can then sew the excess pant length to the inside surface of the pants leg forming a cuff.