Glenn M Just, 44Charlestown, IN

2003012, Jul 3, 2003

Dec 21, 2001

10/026383

Dennis Kahler - Floyds Knobs IN, US
William Harrity - Louisville KY, US
Richard Rakowski - Prospect KY, US
Glenn Just - Louisville KY, US

G06F007/00

707/001000

Computerized method and system for managing report information usable by a plurality of users are provided. At least some of the users are responsible for advancing through one or more design stages at least one component design for a respective component of a machine. The method allows configuring a user-interface device to request initialization of a component design report for tracking a respective component design. The request includes information indicative of a site coordinator responsible for coordinating the requested component design among a plurality of users responsible for conducting the component design. The request further includes information indicative of component drawings and documentation applicable to the component design. The method further allows transmitting the request to a data center over a communications network, and providing a database configured to store the request transmitted to the data center. The database is further configured to store a plurality of business rules associated with the respective component design. A processing action allows to process the request relative to the business rules in the database to post each component design report to users responsible for performing tasks for advancing the component design through at least one of the design stages. An input/output device is configured to provide access to the database to each user responsible for performing a given task to retrieve at least one design item requiring disposition and approval prior to proceeding to a next design stage. The at least one design item is selected from the group consisting of component drawings and documentation applicable to the component design. The device is further configured to gather data indicative of component measurements and comments regarding disposition of the at least one design item. A code indicative of a level of approval, or lack thereof, is generated for the at least one design item in view of the gathered data so that in the event approval is granted, the component design can be advanced to the next design stage, and, in the event approval is denied, corrective actions are identified to remove any design deviations and obtain any required approval prior to advancing to the next design stage.