Abstract: An integrated process management system particularly suited for an environment in which multiple vendors must interact to cooperatively deliver products. The invention uses a preferably centralized process controller running on a computer. Discrete items or steps in the product manufacturing and delivery processes are given unique identifiers. The unique identifiers may assume many forms. For physical components, such as containers of raw materials, the identifier can be a tamper-resistant label containing a unique alphanumeric sequence. The identifiers are used to track the performance of each defined step in the process.

Abstract: A method and system of authenticating and validating, registering and verifying the authenticity and ownership of items or articles such as memorabilia, collectables and original works of art transferred or exchanged between members of a distribution network including an accrediting authority of the method and system, authorized distributor(s) or supplier(s) of the authenticated items and articles and purchaser(s) or third party transferee(s) of the authentic items and articles comprising the steps of accrediting authorized distributors or suppliers by the accredited authority to sell authentic items or articles, authenticating and validating each item or article with a unique identifier by an authorized distributor or supplier, transferring such items or articles bearing the unique identifier from the authorized distributor or supplier to a third party transferee or purchaser, pre-registering each such item or article with the accrediting authority by the respective authorized distributor, registering each s

Abstract: A system and method are described for establishing a secure virtual trading zone for customers of a service provider, in which bandwidth and applications are provided dynamically and in which the communication path is controlled. The service provider performs the following steps: receiving a request from a customer to establish communication with another customer; confirming the identity of each customer; transmitting to each customer executable code enabling encrypted communication therewith; obtaining from each customer information regarding the customer's computing environment; preparing a set of applications for use by each customer, in accordance with the customer information and the customer's request; transmitting the set of applications as executable code to each customer; establishing a communication path to each customer; and specifying the communication path to the customers, thereby permitting the customers to communicate over the path using those applications.