System and method for performing substitute fulfillment

• US 6,334,133 B1
• Filed: 12/21/1998
• Issued: 12/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Frontline Technologies Group LLC (Roper Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Frontline Data, Inc.
• Inventors: Blackstone, Michael S., Thompson, Roland R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, UYEN T
• Application Number:
  US09/217,116
• Time in Patent Office: 1,100 Days
• Field of Search: 705/7-11, 707/1, 707/10, 707/100, 707/103, 707/104
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063112 Skill-based matching of a person or a group to a task
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

A system and method for automating the performance of substitute fulfillment to assign a replacement worker to substitute for a worker during a temporary absence. Using a database of substitute fulfillment data, the system handles key functions of performing substitute fulfillment. Substitute fulfillment data is stored centrally in a database on a server at a common site for multiple organizations employing the substitute fulfillment system. The database includes worker data records and substitute data records. When an worker absence is indicated, the system searches the database to obtain a list of potential replacements for the absent worker. The system contacts potential replacements until one is found or until the list is exhausted. The system generates suitable reports and notifies organization personnel of any activity. The system relies on multiple communications channels to interact with client organizations, workers, and substitutes. The system may maintain data and perform substitute fulfillment across multiple organizations. The system stores and aggregates historical system operation data, and prepares reports and provides services using the historical data.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented substitute fulfillment system that identifies and secures substitute workers for a plurality of different organizations comprising:

a central server that automatically processes information associated with a plurality of different unaffiliated organizations;

a central database coupled to the central server, the central database including worker records that store substitute fulfillment data associated with each of the plurality of different organizations, wherein for each of the different organizations the fulfillment data includes worker records representing workers that may be absent from the organization and substitute worker records representing substitute workers that may be used to fill the position of absent workers;

a plurality of local processors that are remote from the central server, each of the local processors being associated with one of the different organizations and having a separate local database coupled thereto, wherein each local database is associated with one of the different organizations and includes worker records representing workers that may be absent from the organization and substitute worker records representing substitute workers that may be used to fill a position of an absent worker;

wherein the central database maintains each of the records on each local database in parallel with a corresponding record on the central database by periodically updating the records on the local databases in response to data changes on the central database, and wherein each local database maintains records on the central database, and wherein each local database maintains records on the central database in parallel with corresponding records on the local database by periodically updating the records on the central database in response to data changes on the local database;

at least one communication link coupled to the central server, wherein the communication link provides information representing absent workers to the central server;

wherein the central server automatically generates a list of one or more substitute workers for each absent worker in response to the information representing absent workers, the central server automatically communicates information representing positions to be filled to substitute workers identified by the central server via a telephone communication link or an internet communication link, the central server contacting the identified substitute workers in each list until one of the substitute workers in each list agrees to cover for the absent worker or until each list of substitute workers is exhausted; and

wherein the central server periodically transmits reports that include absentee and substitute information to each of the different organizations via the telephone communication link or the internet communication link.

2. The substitute fulfillment system of claim 1, wherein each worker record includes worker identification, contact, position, qualification, and substitute selection information.

3. The substitute fulfillment system of claim 2, wherein said each worker record further includes entitlement information and historical information of absences and substitute fulfillment events.

4. The substitute fulfillment system of claim 1, wherein each substitute worker record includes substitute worker identification, contact, qualification and availability information.

5. The substitute fulfillment system of claim 1, wherein said communication link includes a plurality of phone lines that may be accessed simultaneously by a plurality of organizations and workers.

6. The substitute fulfillment system of claim 1, wherein the Internet communication link further comprises a web site interface.

7. The substitute fulfillment system of claim 1, wherein said telephone communication link further comprises means for sending facsimile transmissions from the central server to an organization.

8. The substitute fulfillment system of claim 1, further comprising interactive voice response technology, coupled to the communication link.

9. The substitute fulfillment system of claim 1, further comprising an automated telephone attendant accessible through said communication link.

10. The substitute fulfillment system of claim 1, wherein said central database further comprises a plurality of organization master records including identification, billing and contact information.

11. The substitute fulfillment system of claim 7, wherein said web site interface includes a link to a downloadable substitute fulfillment data entry and electronic communications computer application.