Abstract: Methods are known for controlling processes using control software which keeps different control elements ready at the same time. In this respect, the process of suppressing or putting control elements out of service if the control elements are not available is likewise known. The invention is to be improved, however, in that control elements and decisions are given to the user such that an intuitive use is facilitated, and the user is guided through the control of a process. For this purpose, a process control is carried out via a program product, which is represented as a chat. The user and the program product act as communication participants, wherein the planned process is controlled by control commands which are requested in the course of the chat and entered or selected in response thereto.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention relates to a method for navigating within a database containing business objects. The method includes the steps of providing a preconfigured model comprising preconfigured business object types and preconfigured associations of the business object types, identifying a reference to a business object instance within a software object and determining a primary business object type corresponding to the business object instance, providing links to at least one secondary business object type associated with the primary business object type in accordance with the preconfigured business model, and retrieving from the database at least one attribute of at least one business object instance within the secondary business object type associated to the primary business object type in accordance with the preconfigured model. In this manner, a user may more easily navigate the database.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention relates to a method for navigating within a database containing business objects. The method includes the steps of providing a preconfigured model comprising preconfigured business object types and preconfigured associations of the business object types, identifying a reference to a business object instance within a software object and determining a primary business object type corresponding to the business object instance, providing links to at least one secondary business object type associated with the primary business object type in accordance with the preconfigured business model, and retrieving from the database at least one attribute of at least one business object instance within the secondary business object type associated to the primary business object type in accordance with the preconfigured model. In this manner, a user may more easily navigate the database.

Abstract: A connection tool to extract information from an electronic document source, for instance an XML source, such as an electronic marketplace, and convert it to a compatible format before providing it to an analytical application, such as a data warehouse system.