Abstract: A connector includes a frame having a first end, a second end, and a pass-through opening extending between the first end and the second end along a longitudinal axis of the frame. The connector further has a gate positioned between the first end and the second end of the frame and movable between a closed position to close the pass-through opening and an open position to open the pass-through opening. A locking mechanism selectively locks the gate in the closed position. The locking mechanism has a rotatable knob connected to at least one of the first end and the second end of the frame and rotatable in a direction about the longitudinal axis, and a locking indent on the gate configured for receiving at least a portion of the rotatable knob when the gate is in the closed position. The rotatable knob is rotationally biased by a biasing mechanism.

Abstract: A connector includes a frame having a first end, a second end, and a pass-through opening extending between the first end and the second end along a longitudinal axis of the frame. The connector further has a gate positioned between the first end and the second end of the frame and movable between a closed position to close the pass-through opening and an open position to open the pass-through opening. A locking mechanism selectively locks the gate in the closed position. The locking mechanism has a rotatable knob connected to at least one of the first end and the second end of the frame and rotatable in a direction about the longitudinal axis, and a locking indent on the gate configured for receiving at least a portion of the rotatable knob when the gate is in the closed position. The rotatable knob is rotationally biased by a biasing mechanism.

Abstract: A connector includes a frame having a first end, a second end, and a pass-through opening extending between the first end and the second end along a longitudinal axis of the frame. The connector further has a gate positioned between the first end and the second end of the frame and movable between a closed position to close the pass-through opening and an open position to open the pass-through opening. A locking mechanism selectively locks the gate in the closed position. The locking mechanism has a rotatable knob connected to at least one of the first end and the second end of the frame and rotatable in a direction about the longitudinal axis, and a locking indent on the gate configured for receiving at least a portion of the rotatable knob when the gate is in the closed position. The rotatable knob is rotationally biased by a biasing mechanism.

Abstract: A communication apparatus has a first housing member (100) and a second housing member (200), which are mechanically interconnected so that said first housing member is foldable as well as turnable with respect to said second housing member so as to assume different operating positions. The communication apparatus has a user interface (334) including a display (110) and manual input means (120, 220), and a processing device (300) for providing services (340-346) to a user through said user interface, wherein said display is located in said first housing member. The manual input means comprises a first set of keys (120) comprised in said first housing member (100), and a second set of keys (220) comprised in said second housing member (200), wherein a plurality of said services (340-346) are controllable by said user through said first set of keys.

Abstract: A method and system for vendor communication is provided. The method and system allow management and documentation of the lifecycle of a contract that is outsourced to a vendor by and enterprise. Embodiments include a vendor communication software application (“VC” application) that centralizes documentation of communications between enterprise actors and vendor actors and any actions by any actor during execution of tasks associated with an outsourced package. The VC application provides a single point of input for information related to an outsourced package that can be used by the actors. Interactions with the VC application take place during the execution of the task in order to move the execution of the task forward, effectively forcing compliance with package requirements and the documentation of the same. The VC application is also compatible with legacy systems so that legacy data can be efficiently used. In one embodiment, the VC application is a hosted Internet application.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing supplier activities. In one embodiment, a computer-based system allows a company that contracts with one or more suppliers in a global supplier base to create electronic documents for placing new work packages with those suppliers. These documents can include S.O.W.'s, work schedules, and P.O.'s. In one aspect of this embodiment, the computer-based system allows the company and the respective suppliers to update these documents during performance of the work packages. In one embodiment, the method is initiated on a general-purpose computer by the company who accesses a user interface display page from a server computer to create a new work package document. A supplier can then access the server computer to review the work package document or to update the information contained on the document.