Integrated product for implementing application software and process of developing integrated product for implementing application software

• US 5,321,610 A
• Filed: 09/23/1991
• Issued: 06/14/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Cobre Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: The Cobre Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Breslin, Jud
• Primary Examiner(s): Envall, Jr., Roy N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Khai
• Application Number:
  US07/764,368
• Time in Patent Office: 995 Days
• Field of Search: 364/419, 364/468, 364/401, 364/402
• US Class Current: 705/7.17
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063118 Staff planning in a project environment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A process for developing an integrated implementation product for implementing large packaged application software produces four integrated components. The integrated implementation product includes a plan component, a training component, an user component and a data conversion component. Together, these components speed the implementation of large application software into an user company'"'"'s computer system by reducing confusion, improving resource allocation and maximizing functionality utilization of the application software. In addition, there is a methodology for developing the integrated implementation product utilizing a seven phase design and development process. A process is utilized to implement a package software application onto an user'"'"'s system and into the user'"'"'s procedures through the use of an integrated implementation product which assists in the implementation and training of employees.

Claims

1. An integrated system including a computer for implementing and using a software application system, comprising:

plan means for allocating resources to tasks and scheduling the implementation;

user means for documenting functional elements of the application system;

training means coupled to the user means for training users in the use of the functional elements of the application system;

data means for identifying data needs for the implementation of the application system and comparing an existing data structure with the data needed for implementing the application system; and

coupling means, operatively coupled to the plan means, user means, training means and data means, for enabling movement within the integrated product between and among the plan means, user means, training means and data means;

whereby the integrated product organizes, schedules and controls the implementation of the application system and provides continuing user documentation and user training after the implementation is completed.

2. The integrated product of claim 1 wherein the user means provides access to procedures and processes by a functional access route and by an organizational access route.

3. The integrated product of claim 2 wherein the training means also provides access to the same procedures and processes as the user means.

4. The integrated product of claim 1 wherein the user means includes all features of the application software hierarchically organized into functions, processes, process flows and procedures in accordance with the work flow of users utilizing the application system.

5. The integrated product of claim 4 wherein the user means provides access to the hierarchically organized features of the application software by a functional access route.

6. The integrated product of claim 4 wherein the user means provides access to the hierarchically organized features of the application software by an organizational responsibility access route.

7. The integrated product of claim 4 wherein the training means provides access to the hierarchically organized features of the application software.

8. A method for developing an integrated system including a computer for implementing and using a software application system including a series of functions, each function including a series of processes, each process including a series of procedures, each procedure including a series of steps;

said method comprising;

analyzing the software application system to identify each of the functions, processes, procedures and steps;

organizing the procedures associated with a process in accordance with the work flow of users utilizing the application system;

creating on the integrated system including a computer a series of process flows each graphically illustrating procedures and steps comprising a process;

indexing on the integrated system including a computer the procedures in accordance with the personnel responsible for or involved with performance of the procedure.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising grouping process flows by personnel responsible for or involved with at least some part of the process flow.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising grouping functions and processes by personnel responsible for or involved with at least some part of a function or a process.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising organizing the functions, processes, procedures and steps by job responsibility so that employees may be trained in those functions, processes, procedures and steps which they are required to perform.

12. An integrated system including a computer for implementing and using an application system, comprising:

user means for documenting functional elements of the application system;

training means coupled to the user means for training users in the use of the functional elements of the application system; and

coupling means, operatively coupled to the user means and training means, for enabling movement within the integrated produce between user means and training means;

whereby the integrated product organizes the implementation of the application system and provides continuing user documentation and user training after the implementation is completed.

13. The integrated product of claim 12 wherein the user means provides access to procedures and processes by a functional access route and by an organizational access route.

14. The integrated product of claim 13 wherein the training means also provides access to the same procedures and processes as the user means.

15. The integrated product of claim 12 wherein the user means includes all features of the application software hierarchically organized into functions, processes, process flows and procedures in accordance with the work flow of users utilizing the application system.

16. The integrated product of claim 15 wherein the user means provides access to the hierarchically organized features of the application software by a functional access route.

17. The integrated product of claim 15 wherein the user means provides access to the hierarchically organized features of the application software by an organizational responsibility access route.

18. The integrated product of claim 15 wherein the training means provides access to the hierarchically organized features of the application software.