Patent Application
20060004688
This invention relates generally to integration systems and processes and more particularly, to systems and methods for integrating various processes.
Many systems such as product data management (PDM), computer aided design (CAD), computer aided manufacturing (CAM) currently exist. The existing systems are used to create drawings, generate documents, and manage the documents and drawings. However, there is lack of co-ordination and interaction between the existing systems.
In one aspect, a method for integrating various processes is described. The method includes managing of data by a first business unit, where managing of data includes at least one of storing the data within a data repository and editing the data. The method also includes automatically sending a notification from the first business unit to a second business unit after the first business unit has completed managing the data.
In another aspect, a method for integrating various processes includes automatically downloading a master list when a user logs into a web-based user interface. The method also includes querying the master list by executing a logic module to connect the user to a first server providing at least one of a consumption of a lower bandwidth and a faster user interface response than that of remaining servers, and redirecting user requests to the first server.
In yet another aspect, a method for integrating various processes includes executing a first change request that passes a first document through a first series of life cycle states. The first change request is executed by a server. The method also includes executing a second change request that passes a second document through a second series of life cycle states, and combining the first and second change requests to generate a third change request that passes a third document through a third series of life cycle states.
In another aspect, a computer is described. The computer is configured to manage data by obtaining inputs from a first business unit within an organization, and automatically send a notification from the first business unit to a second business unit after the first business unit has completed managing the data.
In yet another aspect, a computer configured to automatically download a master list when a user logs into a web-based user interface is described. The computer is also configured to query the master list by executing a logic module to connect the user to a first server providing at least one of a consumption of a lower bandwidth and a faster user interface response than that of remaining servers, and redirect user requests to the first server.
In yet another aspect, a computer configured to execute a first change request that passes a first document through a first series of life cycle states is described. The computer is also configured to execute a second change request that passes a second document through a second series of life cycle states, and combine the first and second change requests to generate a third change request that passes a third document through a third series of life cycle states.
Described below are embodiments of systems and methods for integrating various processes. The systems and methods facilitate an integration of various types of management, such as, engineering or design management, manufacturing management, and marketing management, under a governing control of a change control management system (CMS), described below. As an example, the systems and methods facilitate a notification of and transmission of data corresponding to engineering or design work to a plurality of manufacturing divisions operated and controlled by a manufacturing business unit of an organization. The engineering work is work done by engineering or design divisions to design a part. The engineering divisions are divisions operated and controlled by an engineering business unit of the organization. Manufacturing work that occurs at the manufacturing divisions of the manufacturing business unit is tracked under the control of CMS in a manner that is similar to a manner in which the engineering work occurring at the engineering divisions of the organization is tracked under the control of CMS. The manufacturing work is work done to manufacture the part. CMS monitors and processes data changes for the various types of management. As an example, the systems and methods provide for an automatic update of documents, such as marketing documents, when engineering changes affecting the documents are completed. All documents include parts data, which is data related to a part, such as a screw, a nut, an AND gate, an OR gate, and a transistor.
Furthermore, CMS controls whether a current life cycle state of a document is advanced to a next life cycle current state and eventually to a final life cycle state indicating work completed. CMS provides an automatic notification from a division of a first business unit, such as a division of the engineering unit to a division of another business unit, such as a division of the manufacturing unit, when a life cycle state of a document managed by the division of the first business unit is advanced to the final life cycle state.
Moreover, CMS controls a change notice (CN) function executed within a type of division, such as the manufacturing and marketing divisions. The marketing divisions are operated and controlled by a marketing business unit of the organization. The marketing divisions market a part that is either designed by the engineering divisions or manufactured by the manufacturing divisions. A document is at an initial life cycle state within the CN function when divisions of the first business unit complete a data change. The data change is a change in the parts data. A document is advanced from the initial life cycle state within the CN function towards the final life cycle state within the CN function when divisions of a business unit electronically sign off on work completed at their individual sites. When a last division of a business unit completes its work for a data change, an electronic approval is sent to a division of another business unit, such as the marketing divisions, and a document is moved to the final life cycle state within the CN function. A transfer of a document to the final life cycle state within the CN function indicates that all work to be done by divisions within a business unit, such as the manufacturing divisions, for a data change is complete.
Repository database 28 includes product configuration data such as logic tables, master models, and configurations of a part. Repository database 28 further includes project data such as identification of project teams, schedules, and project documents. Repository database 28 also includes solids models such as CAD models, layouts, engineering drawings, and product structure data. Repository database 28 includes commercial information such as supplier and consumer information for various parts and products. Repository database 28 includes code and code control information such as source code, libraries, specifications, design documents, build documents, and archives.
User interface response time and bandwidth optimization is provided when user interface sites 24 or alternatively user interface site 26 acquire information from one of server sites 12 and 18. For example, when a user at user interface site 26 logs into system 10, user interface site 26 acquires information from one of server sites 12 and 18. The information that is acquired notifies one of the user interface sites 24 and 26 that by accessing data repository 28 through server site 12 instead of server site 18, the user optimizes user interface response or download time and bandwidth.
When the user at user interface site 26 logs into one of server sites 12 and 18, user interface site 26 automatically queries server site 12 or alternatively server site 18. User interface site 26 automatically queries by executing an applet, such as an applet written in Java. The applet is executed to search for a file. The applet is also executed to find the file and automatically download the file from one of server sites 12 and 18 to user interface site 26. The file includes a master list. A location from which the file is downloaded into user interface site 26 is based on the user's login location. For example, if the user at user interface site 26 logs into server site 12, the file is downloaded from server site 12. As another example, if the user at user interface site 26 logs into server site 18, the file is downloaded from server site 18. The applet queries the master list by applying a light weight directory access protocol (LDAP) to determine if there are multiple server sites that the user can access, and selects an optimal server site, such as server site 12. The optimal server site is a server site that provides a quicker user interface response time obtained by comparing user interface response times of server sites 12 and 18. Alternatively, the optimal server site is a server site that consumes less bandwidth obtained by comparing bandwidths consumed by communications between one of server sites 12 and 18 and user interface site 26. For a remaining portion of the user's login session, the applet redirects user requests for retrieval and storage of data to the optimal server site.
Computers 56 are a part of a manufacturing resource planning (MRP) system, such as each of MRP systems 58. As an example, computers 56 of user interface site 26 are located within the manufacturing divisions. In the example, computers 38, 40, 42, 44, and 46 of user interface site 24 are located within the engineering divisions and used by engineers, customers of the engineering divisions, and others with permissions for access to system 30. Server site 12 includes an application server 60, a database server 62, a mail server 64, and a directory server 66. Any of servers 54, 60, 64, and 66 are connected to a data repository 68 via database server 62. The repository data stored within data repository 68 is the same as the repository data stored within repository database 28.
Any of servers 54, 60, 62, 64, and 66 execute the methods for integrating various processes. The methods for integrating various processes include performing document management functions, which include searching for and selecting the repository data from data repository 68, creating the repository data for optional storage into data repository 68, editing the repository data, and retrieving the repository data from data repository 68. Moreover, the document management functions include linking the repository data within data repository 68, promoting the current life cycle state of a document to the next life cycle state when a data change occurs within the document, demoting the current life cycle state of the document to a previous life cycle state when a data change occurs within the document, assigning responsible entities to the document at the previous, current, and next life cycle states when making a data change within the document, notifying appropriate parties electronically when promoting or alternatively demoting a life cycle state of a document, and receiving electronic approval from responsible entities when promoting or alternatively demoting a life cycle state of a document.
The document management functions also include, but are not limited to, a selection, by the user, of a document type of a document to work on, copying out the document, checking out the document, checking in the document, canceling checking out, and viewing content of the document, all of which are described below. The document type is selected by selecting a document button 100 on a search screen 101, shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The user selects a check-in button 130 on a view/modify screen 141, shown in
If the user desires to cancel a check-out that is in progress under CMS control, as shown in
As shown in
It is noted that in one embodiment, any of the above described document management functions are performed on a document under CMS control. When the document management functions are performed on a document under CMS control, the document management functions are performed on the document that passes through a series of life cycle states. In an alternative embodiment, any of the above-described document management functions are performed on a document outside of CMS control. For example, a copy out of a document is performed without CMS control.
CMS includes CR/CN/block request (CR/CN/BR) functions. CMS tracks a data change made by a type of division. The CR/CN/BR functions are accessed when the user selects a CR/CN/BR link 195 on view modify screen 141 shown in
Execution of the CR function creates the parts data within a document, adds the parts data to the document, searches the parts data from the document, deletes the parts data from the document, copies out and facilitates display of documents, assigns responsible entities for electronically approving a promotion of the current life cycle state of a document to the next life cycle state, assigns responsible entities for electronically approving a demotion of the current life cycle state of a document to the previous life cycle state, and notifies appropriate parties electronically when promoting or demoting a life cycle state of a document. Divisions of any one of the types described above execute the CR function.
When the CN function is executed, there is an automatic integration and synchronization of work, such as the engineering work, related to a data change and performed by divisions within the first business unit with work, such as the manufacturing and marketing work, related to a data change and performed by divisions of another type of business unit within the organization. The marketing work is work done by the marketing divisions of the organization. When work, such as the engineering work, done by divisions of the first business unit is completed for a part, a signal is generated to promote a document to the final life cycle state within the CR function, the CN fimction is initiated, a life cycle state of the document is set to the initial life cycle state within the CN function, and a CN request is sent to divisions, such as the manufacturing and marketing divisions, of another business unit that are being impacted by a data change. The CN request is sent electronically via mail server 64. The CN function that is initiated lists documents to be processed by divisions of a business unit in formats customized to be acceptable to the divisions. As an example, the CN function that is initiated lists documents to be processed by the manufacturing divisions in formats customized to be acceptable to MRP system 58 at each manufacturing division receiving the CN request.
When the CN request is received by divisions, such as the manufacturing and the marketing divisions, of a business unit, one of the divisions begins making a data change. As each impacted division completes work required for a data change, the division moves the current life cycle state of a document managed by the CN function to the next current life cycle state within the CN function. When a last division of a business unit completes work incorporating a data change within a document, the last division moves the document to the final life cycle state within the CN function. Promoting a document to the final life cycle state within the CN function indicates that work is completed at all affected divisions of a business unit.
In one embodiment, when the CN request is received by the manufacturing divisions of the manufacturing business unit, one of the manufacturing divisions uses MRP system 58 to begin the manufacturing work incorporating a data change. As each impacted manufacturing division of the manufacturing business unit completes the manufacturing work incorporating a data change, the manufacturing division moves the current life cycle state of a document managed by the CN function to the next current life cycle state within the CN function. When a last manufacturing division of the manufacturing business unit completes the manufacturing work required for a data change, the last manufacturing division moves a document to the final life cycle state within the CN function. Promoting a document to the final life cycle state within the CN function indicates that the manufacturing work is completed at all affected manufacturing divisions of the manufacturing business unit.
The CN function is similar to the CR function except that the CR function relates to a division of a business unit that is different than a business unit to which the CN function relates. As an example, the CN function is similar to the CR function except that the CR function is under the control of the engineering divisions and the CN function is under the control of the manufacturing divisions. User interface screens, such as view/modify screen 141, generated by executing the CR function are reused when executing CN function. The reuse creates life cycle states for monitoring work done by divisions, such as the manufacturing divisions of a business unit. The CR and CN functions are similar. For example, promotion of life cycle states, demotion of life cycle states, electronic approvals when a life cycle state of a document changes, and electronic notification of promotion of life cycle states function similarly within the CR and CN functions.
When the BR function is executed, multiple CR functions are grouped into one CR function. In one embodiment, the multiple CR functions affect the same part and potentially interact with each other. The grouping of the multiple CR functions into one CR function facilitates combined testing and verification of the same part managed by the multiple CR functions. A group of the multiple CR functions initiates a CN function in a similar manner as the CR function initiates the CN function when a document under control of the CR function is promoted to the final life cycle state.
In one embodiment, a first CR function is executed that passes a first document through a first series of life cycle states. The first document includes information regarding a first aspect of a part. A second CR function is also executed that passes a second document through a second series of life cycle states. The second document includes information regarding a second aspect of a part. The first and the second CR functions are combined to generate a third CR function that passes a third document through a third series of life cycle states. The third document includes information regarding both the first and the second aspects and that is generated by modifying information within the first and the second documents.
Engineering management module 505 is a code that is executed by the engineering divisions to design a part, manufacturing management module 510 is a code that is executed by the manufacturing divisions to manufacture a part, and marketing management module 525 is a code that is executed by the marketing divisions to market a part. The CR, CN, and BR functions described above are implemented within CMS module 500. As an example, CMS module 500 includes functions such as sending a notification to appropriate parties when promoting a life cycle state of a document from the current life cycle state to the next current life cycle state or alternatively when demoting the current life cycle state to the previous life cycle state.
Mail server 64 executes functions stored within CMS module 500 to automatically send notifications, such as an e-mail notice, when a life cycle state of a document is changed. CMS module 500 automatically sends notifications to manufacturing management module 510 when the engineering divisions have completed making a data change and automatically sends notification to the marketing divisions within the organization when the manufacturing divisions have completed making a data change. In an alternative embodiment, CMS module 500 automatically sends notifications to the marketing divisions when the engineering divisions have finished making a data change.
Collaboration management module 515 includes functions for collaborating between multiple users via a web-based user interface. The collaboration is between multiple users within divisions of a business unit. For example, users of the engineering divisions collaborate to design a part. As another example, users of the manufacturing divisions collaborate to manufacture a part. DOE modeling module 520 includes functions for an experimental design of the part. The experimental design is obtained for predictive behavior of a part and early issue or problem detection of the part.
Update module 535 includes functions for updating documents, such as marketing, manufacturing, and engineering documents, when divisions, such as the engineering divisions, of a business unit have completed making changes to the parts data. Update module 535 automatically sends a notification, such as e-mail notice, from divisions of the first business unit to divisions of another business unit when changes to the parts data are completed by divisions of the first business unit. As an example, an e-mail notice is sent from the engineering divisions, the manufacturing divisions, or alternatively the marketing divisions within the organization. When a notification is received by the user from update module 535, information regarding changes to the parts data that occurred within divisions of a business unit and a document that is to be updated is provided to the user by update module 535. Changes to the parts data and a document that is to be updated are sent separately from or alternatively as attachments with a notification provided to the user by update module 535. When the user receives a document that is to be updated, the user manually updates the document by making a data change.
Update module 535 includes functions for automatically updating a document received by a division of a business unit when divisions of another business unit has completed making a data change within a document. As an example, update module 535 includes functions for automatically updating a document managed by the manufacturing division when the engineering divisions have completed making a data change to a document managed by the engineering divisions. Update module 535, when notified, for instance, by the e-mail notice, automatically executes to replace text within a document with updated text. As an example, update module 535 automatically replaces the text with the updated text by linking the text within a document generated by divisions of a business unit with the updated text within a document generated by divisions of another business unit. The updated text is manually created. In addition, update module 535 customizes a format of a document to be updated by update module 535 based on formats acceptable to a division of a business unit to which the document is sent. Moreover, update module 535 customizes a format of a notification sent from divisions of the first business unit to divisions of another business unit when changes to the parts data are completed by divisions of the first business unit. A format of a notification is customized based on formats acceptable to a type of division of a business unit to which the notification is sent.
Marketing management module 525 creates various types of document templates used to present marketing documents. Examples of document templates include a field service report template, a presentation template, an article reprint template, a technical guide template, a cross reference template, a specifications template, a guideform specifications template, a high resolution image template, a low resolution image template, a promotional brochure template, a presentation template, a press release template, a published article template, a promotional video template, a question and answer template, a white paper template, a customer application brief template, an electronic document template, a merchandising display template, a service advice template, a catalog template, and a material safety data sheet template.
The user with the aid of marketing management module 525 defines a document template with its associated formatting and style. Once the document template is created, the document template is used to create the document type. When creating the document type, various text areas within a document of the document type is linked by update module 535 with text in documents processed by the engineering or the manufacturing divisions. When various text areas within a document of the document type is linked with text in documents processed by the engineering or the manufacturing divisions, changing documents processed by the engineering or the manufacturing divisions results in an automatic update of text within the document type.
It is noted that the term server or computer broadly refers to processors, microcontrollers, microcomputers, programmable logic controllers, application specific integrated circuits, and other programmable circuits, and these terms are used interchangeably herein. It is also noted that in an alternative embodiment, CMS module 500 manipulates versions of a document instead of the document. For instance, CMS module 500 promotes a particular version of a document through life cycle states.
It is also noted that in an alternative embodiment, the methods for integrating various processes are performed on an assembly of parts instead of a part. For example, when the BR function is executed, a CR function affecting data describing a first part within an assembly and a CR function affecting data describing a second part within the assembly are combined into one CR. The grouping of multiple CR functions into one CR function facilitates combined testing and verification of the assembly managed by the multiple CR functions. As another example, collaboration management module 515 includes functions for collaborating between multiple users on a design of an assembly of parts via a web-based user interface.
In an alternative embodiment, the engineering divisions, marketing divisions, and the manufacturing divisions are located in separate organizations. Moreover, in yet another alternative embodiment, the methods for integrating various processes are applied between divisions of various business units, such as the marketing divisions of the marketing business unit and human resources divisions of a human resources business unit within the organization. Furthermore, in still another alternative embodiment, the document templates are created for documents, such as resumes, within other divisions, such as a human resources division, of the organization.
While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.
