Method and apparatus for a commercial network system designed to facilitate, manage and support the implementation and integration of technology systems

• US 6,519,606 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2002
• Issued: 02/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Inroads Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Inroads Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Marshall, Scott A., Jeter, Lorin E., Burton, Tom C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shah, Sanjiv
• Application Number:
  US10/061,722
• Publication Number:
  US 20020073107A1
• Time in Patent Office: 375 Days
• Field of Search: 707/103, 707/10, 707/100, 707/101, 707/102, 707/104, 709/1, 709/100, 709/200, 709/310, 700/100, 700/17
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99944 Object-oriented database structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A system in which the implementation and integration of technology systems is facilitated, managed and supported regardless of the type of technology system being implemented. An implementation plan and strategy is developed that will ensure the highest probability of success and will be time and cost effective. The creation of implementation deliverables such as project schedules and plans is streamlined. Users are able to access, communicate with and share implementation and integration strategies with each other. An “implementation template” is created based upon specific implementation requirements. A common framework, marketplace and community is provided where businesses, vendors, consultants and other experts can communicate and share implementation information data in a useful and workable manner. A mechanism is provided for pricing and billing of implementation templates and tools. Expert analysis is provided surrounding a specific technology system implementation using historical “like kind” implementation data and knowledge bases.

Claims

1. A method to enable the automatic setup, configuration and implementation of technology systems comprising the steps of:

a) using a control unit subsystem to

i) search for and analyze information,

ii) create implementation data capsules, and

iii) extract objects from said implementation data capsules;

b) using an implementation management subsystem to

i) collect and manage implementation data,

ii) create an optimal implementation plan;

c) using an implementation management subsystem and an implementation deliverable processor to

i) create an output file that contains setup, configuration and implementation data for a technology system

ii) pass said output file to said technology system with the purpose performing an automatic setup, configuration and implemention of said technology system, and

iii) receive results of said setup, configuration and implementation activities from said implementation management subsystem.

2. The method defined by claim 1 wherein said implementation data capsules are each created as a digital package by the steps of:

a) storing implementation objects in an implementation objects database within said digital package;

b) storing an index of implementations represented in said implementation management subsystem in an implementation database within said digital package;

c) storing index information and an inventory for the implementation objects and data in control files contained in said digital package within said digital package; and

d) storing a subset of implementation objects and implementation data available in said control unit subsystem and said implementation management subsystem in an implementation deliverables storage within said digital package.