Abstract: A method for facilitating supplier auditing functions in a communications network environment is disclosed. The method includes receiving a request from a user system of an enterprise system to initiate an activity. The activity includes assessing a supplier record for determining a need to schedule a supplier audit, and scheduling the audit for performing an initial or ongoing qualification of an existing or prospective trading partner of the enterprise system. Assessing the supplier record includes reviewing past audit activity, date of last audit, and results of past audits. The enterprise system retrieves data from at least one database, which corresponds to the request. The enterprise system includes a quality information network application for executing activity options that include the activity requested by the user system.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a computer-based method and system for gathering materials and technology information from internal as well as external sources, integrating the information into a format accessible to disparate systems, storing the information in a centralized system, updating the stored information as needed, and providing continuous access to the information for authorized users of the system. The Development Toolkit Network (DTN) of the present invention is a set of applications designed to facilitate the gathering of technical information about supplier product offerings, and to disseminate that information to an organization's development engineers around the globe.

Abstract: A system for facilitating supplier qualification and quality management functions includes an application executing on a host system and a web-based user interface provided by the application, the web-based user interface collaboratively enabling qualification of suppliers, parts, and technologies over a network. The system also includes a shared data repository and a workstation in communication with the host system, and a supplier in communication with the host system via the user interface and network. The collaborative qualification includes acquiring supplier capabilities, part data, and supplier technology data from a collaborative source via the user interface. The collaborative qualification also includes storing acquired data in the shared data repository, and performing quality management functions via the user interface and shared data repository.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to an integrated computer-based method and system for facilitating supplier qualification and quality management. This computer-based method and system includes a host system receiving a request from a user system to execute supplier qualification and quality management software, executing the requested software at the host system, sending results of the software execution to the user system, receiving input at the host system from the user system in response to the software execution, and providing the user system with output generated as a result of executing the software. The supplier qualification and quality management software includes a selection module, a qualification module and a quality module.

Abstract: Method, system, and storage medium for facilitating supplier auditing functions in a communications network environment. The method includes receiving a request from a user system associated with an enterprise system to initiate an activity. The activity includes scheduling an audit for performing an initial or ongoing qualification of a supplier enterprise. The method also includes retrieving data from at least one database by the enterprise system. The data corresponds to the activity selected. The method further includes transmitting the data to the user system. The enterprise system includes a quality information network application for executing activity options.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to an integrated computer-based method and system for facilitating supplier qualification and quality management. This computer-based method and system includes a host system receiving a request from a user system to execute supplier qualification and quality management software, executing the requested software at the host system, sending results of the software execution to the user system, receiving input at the host system from the user system in response to the software execution, and providing the user system with output generated as a result of executing the software. The supplier qualification and quality management software includes a selection module, a qualification module and a quality module.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a computer-based method and system for gathering and disseminating quality performance and audit activity data across an extended enterprise. The system includes a manufacturing enterprise system comprising a host system operating a web server, an applications server, and a database manager; a data storage device in communication with the host system, and at least one terminal for accessing the host system. The manufacturing enterprise system runs on a network that is coupled to the Internet and is accessible to a supplier enterprise system identified with proper permissions. The applications server executes a set of programs for managing the manufacturing enterprise system, including the quality information network of the present invention.

Abstract: A telephony network with a digital central office and a one or more remotely located digital satellite units. Each digital satellite unit connects to a number of remote subscriber lines and monitors these lines to establish communications through interconnecting spans and a digital satellite interface at the digital central office. The digital satellite interface includes a programmed controller that communicates with the remote digital satellite units connected to it, with call processing equipment in the digital central office and with maintenance processing equipment in the digital central office. Communications with the maintenance processor are in the form of messages having a header byte and a byte indicating the length of the message. During network initialization and various recovery operations, the programs and/or the data base can be transferred from the maintenance processor to each digital satellite interface through the use of these messages.