Patent ID: 7596514
Filing Date: 2009-09-29
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A component management method comprising the steps of: determining, using an admission apparatus, recommendation data based on characteristics of components, the recommendation data setting forth status information for the components in each of at least two different component groups, the status information indicating at least which components are preferred for use and which components are not preferred but have been admitted because they meet minimum admittance criteria; forming, using a database storing apparatus, a component database including the at least two different component groups, each group of component data further including component identification data identifying components in that group based on a common component characteristic, component source identification data identifying a source from which each identified component can be obtained and the recommendation data determined using the admission apparatus; inputting, using an input/output device, information specifying a need for a desired component sharing the common component characteristic of the components in at least one of the at least two different component groups; searching, using the database storing apparatus, for desired data from the component database based on the input information and the component data that includes the component identification data, component source identification data and recommendation data, the desired data identifying at least one component.