System and method for creating an enhanced enterprise directory

Abstract

A knowledge management system and method is described. The knowledge management system and method comprises the steps of receiving a user search term from a user, searching an index for at least one identifier of an expert based upon the user search term, ranking the at least one identifier by an activity factor and a reputation factor, compiling a search result based on the ranking and transmitting the search result to the user.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a knowledge management system embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a method utilized by the knowledge management system embodying the principles of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a general purpose computer embodying the principles of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for determining an identifier for an expert, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a user search term from a user;searching an index for at least one identifier of an expert based upon the user search term;ranking the at least one identifier by an activity factor and a reputation factor;compiling a search result based on the ranking; andtransmitting the search result to the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the activity factor is a frequency in which the user search term was found within the index.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the index comprises email subject line information.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the index comprises email body information.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the index comprises meeting subject information.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the index comprises meeting duration information.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the index comprises information contained within one or more files contained within a storage device of the at least one client's personal computer.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the index comprises instant messaging information.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the reputation factor is a frequency in which the client has been contacted regarding a subject matter similar to the search term.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the index is stored within a centralized storage device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the centralized storage device is an email server storage device.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the index is stored within a remote storage device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the remote storage device is a personal computer storage device used by the at least one client.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of updating the reputation factor based on the user contacting the at least one client.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of limiting the search results based on the user's status.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier of the expert comprises contact information for the expert.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the contact information further comprises one of telephone contact information, facsimile contact information, email address information and location information.

18. A searchable index, the searchable index comprising: email information;calendaring information; anddesktop information.

19. The index of claim 18, wherein the email information comprises email subject line information.

20. The index of claim 18, wherein the email information comprises email body information.

21. The index of claim 18, wherein the calendaring information comprises meeting subject information.

22. The index of claim 18, wherein the calendaring information comprises meeting duration information

23. The index of claim 18, wherein the desktop information comprises information within one or more files contained within a storage device of the at least one client's personal computer.

24. The index of claim 18, wherein the email information comprises instant messaging information.

25. The index of claim 18, wherein the at least one of the email information, calendaring information and desktop information is stored within a centralized storage device.

26. The index of claim 25, wherein the centralized storage device is an email server storage device.

27. The index of claim 18, wherein the at least one of the email information, calendaring information and desktop information is stored within a remote storage device.

28. The index of claim 27, wherein the remote storage device is a personal computer storage device used by the at least one client.

29. The index of claim 18, wherein at least one of the email information, the calendaring information and the desktop information is associated with contact information of an expert with respect to a searchable subject matter.

30. A system for determining an identifier for an expert, the system comprising: a processor;a storage device in communication with the processor, the storage device containing an index; anda memory unit in communication with the processor, the memory unit containing instructions executable by the processor, the instructions configuring the processor to receive a user search term from a user, search the index for at least identifier of an expert based upon the user search term, rank the at least one identifier by an activity factor and a reputation factor, compile a search result based on the ranking, and transmit the search result to the user.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the activity factor is a frequency in which the user search term was found within the index.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein the index comprises email subject line information.

33. The system of claim 30, wherein the index comprises email body information.

34. The system of claim 30, wherein the index comprises meeting subject information.

35. The system of claim 30, wherein the index comprises meeting duration information

36. The system of claim 30, wherein the index comprises information contained within one or more files contained within a storage device of the at least one client's personal computer.

37. The system of claim 30, wherein the index comprises instant messaging information.

38. The system of claim 30, wherein the reputation factor is a frequency in which the client has been contacted regarding a subject matter similar to the search term.

39. The system of claim 30, wherein the instructions configure the processor to update the reputation factor based on the user contacting the at least one client.

40. The system of claim 30, wherein the memory unit is a solid state storage device.

41. The system of claim 30, wherein the memory unit is integrated within the processor.

42. The system of claim 30, wherein the storage device is at least one of a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, and a solid state storage device.

43. The system of claim 30, wherein the identifier of the expert comprises contact information for the expert.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the contact information comprises one of telephone contact information, facsimile contact information, email address information and location information.