Method of and apparatus for remotely preparing a targeted procedures model for transforming a data stream

A method of and apparatus for remotely preparing a targeted procedures model for transforming a data stream. The invention employs a telemodeler site communicatively connected to a prospect site and an Internet host. A telemodeler remotely prepares the targeted procedures model by executing steps including collecting prospect information, reviewing existing data streams, determining input and output parameters, designing transformed data streams, documenting the business process flow in the targeted procedures model, reviewing the model with the prospect, deciding whether the prospect approves the model, obtaining the prospect's approval, and providing a firm price and schedule.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The teachings of the applicant's U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,627,977 and 5,889,516, directed to a “trainable user interface translator” are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. In one aspect, the invention is a system, a preferred embodiment of which is depicted in FIG. 1 , for preparing a TPM for a data stream transformation, which includes a telemodeler site 105 , a prospect site 110 , and an Internet host 180 . A “telemodeler” is a person who acquires the necessary information for and prepares a TPM 185 , which is stored at Internet host 180 . Telemodeler site 105 includes a telemodeler computer 115 , a phone 120 , and a fax machine 125 . Telemodeler computer 115 further includes a modem 117 , an e-mail client 130 and a Web browser 135 . Telemodeler computer 115 connects to prospect site 110 either using e-mail client 130 or Web browser 135 via the Internet 140 , or using modem 117 to dial directly into prospect site 110 . Again referring to FIG. 1 , prospect site 110 includes host computer 145 , a prospect phone 150 , and a prospect fax machine 155 . Prospect computer 145 further includes a prospect modem 147 , data storage device 160 , host applications 165 , prospect e-mail client 170 , and a prospect Web browser 175 . In operation, the telemodeler can communicate with a prospect in several ways. The telemodeler can use e-mail client 130 to send messages to prospect e-mail client 170 via Internet 140 . The telemodeler also has the option of communicating or sending messages using phone 120 or fax machine 125 . The prospect receives messages via prospect phone 150 or prospect fax machine 155 , respectively. The telemodeler may also use modem 117 to connect directly to host computer 145 via prospect modem 147 , which enables the telemodeler to access components of host computer 145 , including data storage device 160 and host applications 165 . Other forms of communicating with the prospect, such as via a T1 line, are also within the scope of the invention. The telemodeler completes the information acquisition and drafts a TPM 185 , which is posted on a Web site hosted by an Internet host 180 . A prospect can view TPM 185 using the prospect Web browser 175 in order to review and approve the proposed data stream transformation. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a method 200 for preparing TPM 185 for a data stream transformation, which includes the steps below. Step 210 : Collecting Prospect Information In this step, the telemodeler collects information needed to initiate development of TPM 185 . The telemodeler may call the prospect company on phone 120 , or can communicate via e-mail client 130 or fax machine 125 . The prospect identifies the business purpose of the data stream transformation and the goals to be achieved by the process. Examples of business purposes include application integration, Web enablement, wireless data migration, public interface transformation, voice interaction, and machine control. The prospect may have additional business goals including removal of non-value added steps, reduction in errors, enhancement of functionality, or enhancement of security. The devices being used, current file formats, and applications used are all specified by the prospect. The prospect provides contact information for all the key personnel related to the data stream transformation within the organization. Examples include the project manager, IS contacts, and financial department contacts. Host ID addresses and logon details are also provided to the telemodeler for use in subsequent steps. Step 220 : Reviewing Existing Data Streams In this step, the telemodeler reviews hard or soft copies of each data stream to be transformed for the prospect. The prospect can provide the data stream information by faxing or e-mailing screen shots of host applications 165 in operation, or the telemodeler can access host computer 145 directly via modem 117 to view host applications 165 and review the data streams “live.” The telemodeler reviews the existing data streams to help ascertain the status of the prospect's host applications 165 and to determine what actions will meet the prospect's goals as defined in step 210 . Step 230 : Determining Input and Output Variables In this step, the telemodeler works with the key contacts at the prospect company via phone, fax, or e-mail to identify the input and output variables needed to satisfy and update the existing data streams. The size, type, and number of each variable needs to be defined. For example, an input variable could be a user identification number that is six characters in length, and is an alphanumeric data type. After defining the nature of each input and output variable, the telemodeler may “exercise” the existing host application by using input variables to determine the system response. This process may take days to complete, but is critical to the success of the following design step. Step 240 : Designing Transformed Data Stream In this step, the telemodeler works with the prospect to define the specific characteristics of the transformed data stream. The two parties discuss how each transformed data stream will satisfy the business purposes as defined in step 210 . The telemodeler takes the profile of the existing data streams as defined in step 220 and, recognizing the required input and output variable data from step 230 , creates a design that satisfies the business purposes from step 210 as efficiently as possible. Using his/her own judgment and experience, the telemodeler assimilates the information from all preceding steps, and designs the transformed data stream with iterative feedback from the prospect via phone, fax, and e-mail. The iterative process allows more creative development between the telemodeler and the prospect. Step 250 : Documenting the Business Process Flow in the TPM In this step, the telemodeler formally documents the design created in step 240 after receiving a tentative verbal approval from the prospect. The telemodeler describes the existing data streams, the input and output variable data, the proposed transformed data stream, and the business processes (as discussed above in steps 220 through 240 ) in one document that details the relationship between all the elements. This document is the TPM 185 , defined as a documented description of the parameters for the data stream transformation with version control. TPM 185 is composed in HTML and posted at Internet host 180 , but may also be written using a word processor and transmitted by email, for example. Step 260 : Reviewing TPM with Prospect In this step, the prospect reviews TPM 185 and interacts with the telemodeler to discuss comments on the proposed data stream transformation. The telemodeler and the prospect may review the TPM via e-mailed copies of the document, or may simultaneously view the TPM via the Internet. This step may include both technical and/or sales force personnel from the telemodeler company to respond to a prospect's questions. Step 270 : Does Prospect Approve TPM&quest; In this step, the prospect approves the TPM, or requests changes in the TPM prior to approval. If the prospect approves the TPM, the method continues to step 280 . If the prospect does not approve the TPM, the method returns to step 250 for the telemodeler to rewrite the TPM in accordance with the prospect's comments. Step 280 : Obtaining Signoff/Approval In this step, a physical quote, an end user license agreement, and a schedule are provided to the prospect via e-mail, fax, or regular mail for the prospect to approve and sign and transmit back to the telemodeler. Step 290 : Providing Firm Price and Schedule In this step, the telemodeler provides a contract to the prospect to complete the work as described in the quote, end user license agreement, and schedule. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the specification or practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. What is claimed is: