Abstract: Data access is facilitated by employing local caches and an adaptive caching strategy. Specific data is stored in each local cache and consistency is maintained between the caches. To maintain consistency, adaptive caching structures are used. The members of an adaptive caching structure are selected based on a sharing context, such as those members having a chosen association identifier or those members not having the chosen association identifier.

Abstract: A system for analyzing a design of a hardware device includes a database that stores business and technical information related to a plurality of components included in the design and a hardware design assistant coupled to the database and including a processor for automatically creating a bill of materials based on a computer-aided design assembly of the design and on the business and technical information. Another embodiment of a system for analyzing a design of a hardware device includes a processor and a computer readable storage medium that stores instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to perform operations including obtaining a computer-aided design assembly depicting the design and automatically creating a bill of materials based on the computer-aided design assembly, wherein the bill of materials lists in a hierarchical manner a plurality of components making up the design.

Abstract: Analyzing a design of a hardware device includes obtaining a computer-aided design assembly depicting the design and automatically creating a bill of materials based on the computer-aided design assembly, wherein the bill of materials lists in a hierarchical manner a plurality of components making up the design. In another embodiment, analyzing a design of a hardware device includes automatically creating a bill of materials based on a computer-aided design assembly depicting the design and automatically updating the bill of materials to include business and technical information retrieved from a database, wherein the automatically updating results in an updated bill of materials.

Abstract: A total cost estimate is calculated based on a set of printed circuit board (PCB) design parameters. The set of PCB design parameters are received, and PCB attributes are extracted from them. Based on the PCB attributes the PCB is classified and a cost equation is calculated. The cost equation is calculated based on a regression analysis of one or more of the PCB attributes. Once the cost equation is calculated, the total cost is computed based on the cost equation.

Abstract: Data access is facilitated by employing local caches and an adaptive caching strategy. Specific data is stored in each local cache and consistency is maintained between the caches. To maintain consistency, adaptive caching structures are used. The members of an adaptive caching structure are selected based on a sharing context, such as those members having a chosen association identifier or those members not having the chosen association identifier.