Hosted data aggregation and content management system

• US 20020184170A1
• Filed: 06/01/2001
• Published: 12/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Digital Motorworks (Automatic Data Processing Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Digital Motorworks (Automatic Data Processing Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gilbert, John, Hawkins, Dave
• Application Number:
  US09/872,393
• Publication Number:
  US 20020184170A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 706/20
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

A system and method for data aggregation and content management are disclosed. In addition, the data aggregation and content management service provided is a hosted or managed service that operates in a location distal from a plurality of client sites. The data aggregation and content management may be provided by a Web-based application. The client sites may be located throughout a geographical region, country, or across the world. The data is pulled or extracted from the client sites and then “standardized” according to predetermined requirements for usage either alone or as a conglomerate of standardized data. The data aggregation and content management may be controlled, to some degree, by the clients via an Internet-based control system. The client or customer can validate and/or monitor the processing of the data as it takes place via the Internet-based control system.

Claims

1. A method of hosting data aggregation and content management, said method comprising the steps of:

extracting data from a plurality of data sources to an off-site location;

parsing said extracted data into at least one data field;

formatting said parsed data into a predetermined format; and

delivering said formatted data from said off-site location to at least one content recipient.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising cleansing said parsed data including correcting any errors in said parsed data.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising normalizing said parsed data including conforming said parsed data to a predetermined standard.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said predetermined standard is stored in a look-up table.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transforming said data including deriving at least one new data field from said parsed data.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising validating said parsed data including confirming said data extraction was completed successfully.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of data sources includes a selected one of disparate systems, remotely located offices, trading partners, and suppliers.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said data is extracted in a format presently used by said plurality of data sources.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said data is extracted using a selected one of a File Transfer Protocol, Telnet, Kermit, modem dial-up, Internet access, Extensible Markup Language message, and Web forms.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined format includes a selected one of an ASCII text, Extensible Markup Language message, database export, and custom file format

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said content recipients includes a selected one of an e-commerce entity, a data mining entity, a trading exchange, and an Internet portal.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein said data is extracted from each one of said plurality of data sources according to a predetermined schedule.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising controlling said predetermined schedule from an online view via the Internet.

14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising applying a predetermined set of rules to said parsed data.

15. The method according to claim 1, further comprising temporarily storing said parsed data in an archive

16. The method according to claim 1, further comprising balancing a processing of said parsed data amongst a plurality of data processing machines.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein said formatted data is delivered to said at least one content recipient according to a predetermined schedule.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising controlling said predetermined schedule from an online view via the Internet.

19. The method according to claim 1, further comprising logging information regarding each step of said method of hosting data aggregation and content management.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising viewing said logged information from an online view via the Internet.

21. A hosted data aggregation and content management system, comprising:

at least one server computer, said server computer located off-site relative to a plurality of data sources and configured to;

extract data from said plurality of data sources;

parse said extracted data into at least one data field;

format said parsed data into a predetermined format; and

deliver said formatted data to at least one content recipient.

22. The system according to claim 21, wherein the server computer is further configured to cleanse said parsed data including correcting any errors in said parsed data.

23. The system according to claim 21, wherein the server computer is further configured to normalize said parsed data including conforming said parsed data to a predetermined standard.

24. The system according to claim 23, wherein said predetermined standard is stored in a look-up table.

25. The system according to claim 21, wherein the server computer is further configured to transform said data including deriving at least one new data field from said parsed data.

26. The system according to claim 21, wherein the server computer is further configured to validate said parsed data including confirming said data extraction was completed successfully.

27. The system according to claim 21, wherein said plurality of data sources includes a selected one of disparate systems, remotely located offices, trading partners, and suppliers.

28. The system according to claim 21, wherein said data is extracted in a format presently used by said plurality of data sources.

29. The system according to claim 21, wherein said data is extracted using a selected one of a File Transfer Protocol, Telnet, Kermit, modem dial-up, Internet access, Extensible Markup Language message, and Web forms.

30. The system according to claim 21, wherein said predetermined format includes a selected one of an ASCII text, Extensible Markup Language message, database export, and custom file format.

31. The system according to claim 21, wherein said content recipients includes a selected one of an e-commerce entity, a data mining entity, a trading exchange, and an Internet portal.

32. The system according to claim 21, wherein said data is extracted from each one of said plurality of data sources according to a predetermined schedule.

33. The system according to claim 32, wherein said predetermined schedule may be controlled by an authorized personnel from an online view via the Internet.

34. The system according to claim 21, wherein the server computer is further configured to apply a predetermined set of rules to said parsed data.

35. The system according to claim 21, wherein the server computer is further configured to temporarily store said parsed data in an archive.

36. The system according to claim 21, wherein the server computer is further configured to share a processing of said parsed data with another server computer.

37. The system according to claim 21, wherein said formatted data is delivered to said at least one content recipient according to a predetermined schedule.

38. The system according to claim 37, wherein said predetermined schedule may be controlled by an authorized personnel from an online view via the Internet.

39. The system according to claim 21, wherein the server computer is further configured to log information regarding each operation of said hosted data aggregation and content management system.

40. The system according to claim 39, wherein said logged information may be viewed online via the Internet.