Abstract:
A system and method for distributed database data and file access and retrieval, and managing assets of a company can include the steps of obtaining one or more data elements, storing each of the data elements, determining one or more factors related to a manner in which each of the data elements was obtained, associating a confidence index with each factor, and calculating a confidence index for each of the stored data elements, as well as a composite confidence index for the entire data store, based on the confidence index score for the individual data elements. The system and method can include calculating a confidence index for each of the stored data elements. The factors can include the date that the data elements were obtained. The factors can include from which of one or more sources the data elements were obtained.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to distributed database data and file access and retrieval, and, more particularly, to methods and systems for managing company data and assets. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In today&#39;s business world, large companies must store and keep track of millions of pieces of information and data, using systems for distributed database data and file access and retrieval. The pieces of data, typically stored in databases, include information related to personnel, payroll, taxes, finances, real estate holdings, computer and communications equipment, office equipment, business plans and public documents, as well as other categories of information. 
   A company receives pieces of data at different times. For example, some pieces of data may have been obtained recently, within the last few months, while other pieces of data may have been obtained several years ago. In addition, different pieces of data are received in different manners. For example, one piece of data can be obtained from a human source, while another piece of data can be obtained from an in-house database, while still another piece of data may be obtained from a third-party entity&#39;s database. 
   Because different pieces of data are obtained at different times, and from different sources, some pieces of data are more likely to be accurate than others. For example, in general, pieces of data obtained more recently will tend to have a higher likelihood of being accurate than pieces of data obtained a relatively longer time ago. This is because, in a dynamic environment, circumstances upon which the piece of data is based can change, and are more likely to change as more time elapses. Similarly, pieces of data obtained from one source can have a higher likelihood of being accurate than pieces of data obtained from another source. For example, a piece of data obtained from a local database that is automatically updated may have a higher likelihood of being accurate than a piece of data obtained from a remotely-located human source. 
   A typical large company stores, references, and relies upon millions of pieces of data, each with a different probability or likelihood of being accurate. It is difficult, however, for a company to understand, when relying on data, which pieces of data are more likely to be accurate, and which pieces of data are less likely to be accurate, and by how much. 
   Because many important business decisions rely upon an analysis of many pieces of data, the lack of knowledge regarding the accuracy of different pieces of data can affect the accuracy of strategic and business decisions. 
   For example, if a company is approached, during licensing negotiations, by a software vender that alleges that the company&#39;s employees in several countries have a total of 170,000 copies of a certain desktop software application, and the company believes that the actual number is only 120,000, the company is at a disadvantage if it cannot determine the accuracy of its data related to the number of copies of software. In addition, companies tend to spend large amounts of time and resources validating data which is already accurate. 
   Accordingly, there are certain deficiencies with the manner in which companies store and reference data. Therefore, a need exists for improved systems and methods for managing company assets and data. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Embodiments of the present invention satisfy these and other needs by providing a system and method for distributed database data and file access and retrieval, and for managing company assets and data. 
   A system and method of managing assets of a company can include the steps of obtaining one or more data elements, storing each of the data elements, determining one or more factors related to a manner in which each of the data elements was obtained, associating a confidence index with each factor, and calculating a confidence index for each of the stored data elements. The system and method can include calculating a confidence index for each of the stored data elements. The factors can include the date that the data elements were obtained. The factors can include from which of one or more sources the data elements were obtained. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention can be understood from the detailed description of exemplary embodiments presented below, considered in conjunction with the attached drawings, of which: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic of a system in accordance with embodiments of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating a method in accordance with embodiments of the invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating a method in accordance with embodiments of the invention; and 
       FIG. 4  is a graphical representation of the changing of confidence scores of data elements over time, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
   

   It is to be understood that the attached drawings are for purposes of illustrating the concepts of the invention and may not be to scale. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Embodiments of the invention assign a confidence index value to obtained data elements to provide a company with a clear understanding of which information is more reliable, and which is less reliable. 
   An embodiment of the invention is directed to a system and method for managing information. The embodiment provides for a system and method for providing a confidence score for individual pieces of data. In general, because a company obtains different pieces of data in different ways, certain pieces of data can be more reliable (or have a higher probability of being correct) than other pieces of data. An embodiment of the invention is directed to associating a confidence level with each piece of data, based on how each piece of data (data element) is obtained. Factors that can be considered in determining the confidence level of a piece of data include the date that the piece of data was obtained, and the source of the piece of data. 
   An embodiment of the invention is directed to associating a confidence level with each piece of data, based on how each piece of data is obtained. Factors that can be considered in determining the confidence level of a piece of data include the date that the piece of data was obtained, and the source of the piece of data. 
   With reference to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a system  100  configured in accordance with embodiments of the invention. By way of the system  100 , data elements, such as for example, data related to computer, server, network and information technology systems, can be obtained from various sources  110 ,  111 ,  112 . The sources can include a combination of fully automated data collection sources  110 , automated data collection sources having partial manual input and intervention operations  111  and substantially manual data collection sources  112 . The data elements can be obtained from the various sources and stored at  120 . Next, a confidence index can be determined for each of the data elements, at  130 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a method  200  for managing data elements in accordance with embodiments of the invention. First, the data elements are obtained from various sources. Step  202 . Next, the obtained data elements are stored. Step  204 . Next, in step  206 , a determination is made of factors related to the obtained data elements for use in calculating a confidence index for each data element. Step  206 . The factors employed can include the date (i.e., how recently) the data element was obtained. In general, data elements obtained more recently are typically considered to have a higher level of confidence than data elements obtained longer ago. The factors employed can also include the source from which the data element was obtained. For example, some sources, such as those that are provided via human input, and thus that are subject to human error, can be considered relatively less reliable, and thus have a relatively lower confidence index. In contrast, some sources, such as those supplied by fully automated data gathering systems, can be considered relatively more reliable, and thus have a relatively higher associated confidence index. Accordingly, next, a confidence index is associated with each factor. Step  208 . Finally, based on the confidence index of each of the factors related to each of the data elements, a confidence index is calculated for each data element. Step  210   
   With reference to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a method  300  in accordance with embodiments of the invention. By way of the method, data element values for the same data element can be received from multiple sources. Step  302 . Such a situation is common as business enterprises typically have overlapping pieces of data stored at multiple locations, or sources. As is also typical, the data values from different sources can be different, or conflicting. Next, in step  304 , the source of each of the conflicting data element values is determined. Next, the ranks (confidence levels) of the various data sources are determined, and each of the conflicting data element values is ranked based upon the ranking of each data element value&#39;s associated source ranking. Step  308 . Finally, the data element value with the highest confidence index value is used and assumed to be accurate. Step  310 . 
   As the confidence index of any particular data element will tend to be dynamic over time, with reference to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a graphical representation  400  of the confidence index (score) of a typical data element as the confidence index changes with time. First, a data element value is received with an initial confidence index score, based upon various related factors, such as, for example, the confidence index of the source from which the data element value was received. Next, the confidence index of the data element value increase as an updated value is received, albeit from a source having a relatively low confidence index. Next, as time elapses without a subsequent update of data element value, the confidence index of the data element value gradually decreases. Next, an update of the data element value is received from a source having a relatively high confidence index, thus causing the confidence index of the data element value to increase. Finally, as time elapses without a subsequent data element value update, the confidence index of the data element value again gradually decreases. 
   By way of embodiments of the invention, different sources of information can be ranked from most-trusted to least-trusted. Similarly, a ranking can be associated with a piece of data based on when the piece of data was received. A weighted average formula can then be used to provide an overall confidence rating for each piece of data. 
   Each piece of data (data element) can have several confidence parameters, or index vectors, which are weighted and combined to arrive at an aggregate confidence value. Confidence levels for a piece of data can be calculated and stored periodically. Upon review of a history of stored data and confidence levels, a confidence level can be calculated by looking at a trend of calculated values, or, alternatively, by assigning the highest weight to the most recent value obtained. In addition, sets of data with missing pieces of data may receive a low cumulative confidence level, due to the missing data pieces. 
   As described above with respect to  FIG. 4 , in situations where conflicting data is received from two different sources, embodiments of the invention allow the company to compare the confidence levels of each of the conflicting pieces of data to determine which piece of data to use. Embodiments of the invention also can help a company determine which pieces of data or groups or types of data have relatively low confidence levels, so that the company can target and focus efforts and resources for improving data confidence levels on the low-confidence data types. 
   Embodiments of the invention can provide insight into the basis for a particular confidence index score for a data element. For example, if a certain data element has a relatively low confidence index score, a user can have the ability to drill down and determine why the confidence index score for that element is low. Thus, if for example, the confidence index score for a data element is low because values for the data element have not been updated or refreshed for a relatively long time period, the user can determine that reason. Armed with such knowledge, the user could better determine how to improve the confidence index score for that data element (e.g., by refreshing the read value more frequently) is such an improvement is desired. 
   Embodiments of the invention can also provide insight into the cost of acquiring information related to a particular data element. Thus, it could be determined by a user that the cost of acquiring information related to a particular data element on a yearly basis could have a cost of “x” dollars, and yield a confidence index score of “A.” It could then be determined that raising that, for example, refreshing the information related to the data element on a monthly basis would raise the confidence index to “2×A,” but at an additional cost of “y” dollars. Armed with such knowledge, the user can make an informed choice, based on the relative importance of the data element, of whether incurring the cost of raising the confidence index score of a particular data element to a certain value is worth it to a company or enterprise. 
   An embodiment of the invention is directed to an aggregate document tool that can determine an overall confidence level for a complete set of data on a particular document. Thus, by way of the embodiment, an aggregate or composite confidence level can be determined for an entire data store. Alternatively, an aggregate confidence level for a portion of a data store can be calculated. The aggregate confidence levels can be calculated based on the confidence index levels of individual data elements. All or a portion of the data elements can be used. 
   Embodiments of the invention can be directed to any type of inventory system, such as computer hardware inventory. Other embodiments can be directed to financial data, such as a “10K” form, the data on which comes from a variety of sources within the company. 
   An exemplary embodiment could be used to maintain an inventory related to, for example, 40,000 servers within a company. A company could use the system to monitor information about the location of the servers, as well as how accurate that information is. Information (data elements) that can be monitored and managed can include aggregate data from the 40,000 servers, such as server attributes, includes, where the server is located (what building), the server model, serial number, name of corresponding support team, software applications that run on the servers, and/or financial systems (cost centers) to bill back to. 
   As for the location of the server, such information could be explicitly supplied, or, alternatively, could be partially derived based on certain network characteristics of the server, as complemented with information about the physical location of the network. 
   Information (data elements) can be provided by having a software agent, that resides on a network, scan computers and other hardware coupled to the network. Alternatively, the information (data elements) can be manually entered into a spreadsheet or other similar form by a support team or an application team (i.e., software developers). 
   Other exemplary information (data elements) that can be obtained includes an analysis of network traffic via network port scans, a serials number or bios from a computer, and whom the computer or workstation is assigned to. 
   In alternative embodiments, the invention can be used to provide a confidence index for information related to telecommunications equipment, and/or credit rating information for customers. 
   Thus, embodiments of an invention have been described wherein a system and method of the invention are directed to associating a confidence level with each piece of data, based on how each piece of data is obtained. Factors that can be considered in determining the confidence level of a piece of data include the date that the piece of data was obtained, and the source of the piece of data. By way of embodiments of the invention, a company or other user can beneficially manage information by understanding the degree to which different portions of the information can be relied upon. 
   It is to be understood that the exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention and that many variations of the above-described embodiments can be devised by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore intended that all such variations be included within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.