Abstract: A method of and system for collecting, storing, and retrieving data in a data base management system. The database management system includes a master database server (4), at least one workgroup server (315), and a plurality of workgroup user clients (310). The workgroup server (315) is interposed between the master database server (4) and said workgroup user clients (310). The method creating a transaction in a local database resident on one of the workgroup user clients (310), entering the transaction into a transaction log resident on the workgroup user client (310), and creating a transaction file corresponding to the transaction in an outbox of said workgroup user client (310). Next, the transaction file is copied to an inbox identified to the workgroup user client (310) and updating the transaction file into a workgroup database (305) resident on the workgroup server (315). The workgroup database (305) includes a transaction log.

Abstract: A method of and system for collecting, storing, and retrieving data in a data base management system. The database management system includes a master database server (4), at least one workgroup server (315), and a plurality of workgroup user clients (310). The workgroup server (315) is interposed between the master database server (4) and said workgroup user clients (310). The method creating a transaction in a local database resident on one of the workgroup user clients (310), entering the transaction into a transaction log resident on the workgroup user client (310), and creating a transaction file corresponding to the transaction in an outbox of said workgroup user client (310). Next, the transaction file is copied to an inbox identified to the workgroup user client (310) and updating the transaction file into a workgroup database (305) resident on the workgroup server (315). The workgroup database (305) includes a transaction log.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a database. The database is a partially replicated database having a central database and a plurality of individual partially replicated databases. Updates made to the central database or to one of the individual, partially replicated databases are selectively propagated to one or more recipient partially replicated databases if the owner of the recipient partially replicated database has visibility to the data being selectively transmitted. This is accomplished by first replicating a group or records as a single logical docking object. A single set of visibility rules is applied to the data content of the entire logical docking unit. The docking object is then applied to the recipient individual partially replicated database if the owner thereof has visibility to the data being transmitted in the single logical docking object. Also disclosed are methods of controlling and logging the propagation of docking objects.

Abstract: Upgrading a software application from one or more upgrade package files in a server (1) to a client (21a, 21b, 21c). According to this method a copy of the upgrade package files and an upgrade database table are created on the server (1). A pointer is created in the client's (21a, 21b, 21c) file on the server (1). This pointer points to the upgrade package files on the server (1); In invoking the upgrade the, the upgrade files are made active, and the upgrade database table is scanned when a client (21a, 21b, 21c) docks. This is to determine the status of an upgrade with respect to the particular client (21a, 21b, 21c). The upgrade is copied to the client (21a, 21b, 21c) if the client (21a, 21b, 21c) has not received the upgrade. At this point the upgrade may be invoked at the client (21a, 21b, 21c). Also disclosed is a program product carrying code for the upgrade method.

Abstract: A method of and system for collecting, storing, and retrieving data in a data base management system. The database management system includes a master database server (4), at least one workgroup server (315), and a plurality of workgroup user clients (310). The workgroup server (315) is interposed between the master database server (4) and said workgroup user clients (310). The method creating a transaction in a local database resident on one of the workgroup user clients (310), entering the transaction into a transaction log resident on the workgroup user client (310), and creating a transaction file corresponding to the transaction in an outbox of said workgroup user client (310). Next, the transaction file is copied to an inbox identified to the workgroup user client (310) and updating the transaction file into a workgroup database (305) resident on the workgroup server (315). The workgroup database (305) includes a transaction log.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of managing a database. The database includes a central database (3) and separate partially replicated databases (23-a, 23-b, 23-c). Each partially replicated database resides on a separate node (21-a, 21-b, 21-c). Each replicated database has an associated visibility strength. The method of managing a database determines the visibility strength of a partially replicated database to data being propagated, determines therefrom the visibility of the partially replicated database to the data being propagated, and propagates the data to a partially replicated database only if the node of the partially replicated database has visibility to the data.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a database. The database is a partially replicated database having a central database and a plurality of individual partially replicated databases. Updates made to the central database or to one of the individual, partially replicated databases are selectively propagated to one or more recipient partially replicated databases if the owner of the recipient partially replicated database has visibility to the data being selectively transmitted. This is accomplished by first replicating a group or records as a single logical docking object. A single set of visibility rules is applied to the data content of the entire logical docking unit. The docking object is then applied to the recipient individual partially replicated database if the owner thereof has visibility to the data being transmitted in the single logical docking object. Also disclosed are methods of controlling and logging the propagation of docking objects.

Abstract: Database management method and system, for a database having a central database and a plurality of partially replicated databases. The database management method and system determine the visibility of a user of a separate replicated database to the central database from a set of visibility rules stored at a central location.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for collecting, storing, and retrieving data in a database management system. The database management system has an enterprise server and at least one workgroup user client. The method includes creating a transaction in a local database resident on said workgroup user client, entering the transaction into a transaction log resident on the workgroup user client, and creating a transaction file corresponding to the transaction log in an outbox of the workgroup user client. The workgroup user client transaction log is read, skipping those transactions which originate at the enterprise server, data files are created corresponding to the entries. The data files corresponding to transactions originating at the workgroup user client are read to an inbox on the enterprise server, thus updating the transactions into an enterprise database on the enterprise server.

Abstract: A partially replicated database is maintained so that updates made to a central database, or to another partially replicated database, are selectively propagated to the partially replicated database. Updates are propagated to a partially replicated database if the owner of the partially replicated database has "visibility" to the data being updated. Visibility is determined by using predetermined rules stored in a rules database. Typically, the stored rules are assessed against data content of a plurality of tables making up a single logical entity, known as a docking object, that is being updated.