Abstract:
Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to methods, systems, and storage mediums for facilitating information storage and retrieval of addressing data. The method includes parsing addressing data imported from a legacy file, generating searchable records of parsed addressing data, and presenting at least one of the records to a first analyst via a graphical user interface for analysis. The method further includes generating a referral for the record as a result of the analysis via the graphical user interface, assigning a pending status to the referral indicating the referral requires further analysis, and saving the referral in a database. The referral includes the parsed addressing data and a correction type code. The correction type code indicates a recommended action to be performed on addressing data contained in the referral.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to database management and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and storage mediums for facilitating information storage and retrieval of address referrals.  
         [0002]     Service industries that utilize business and residential addressing information often find it difficult to maintain up-to-date addressing data. Addressing information is dynamic, elusive, and complex. Businesses close, families move, new housing and business developments are built, real estate properties get re-zoned, and a variety of other factors affect fluctuations in addressing information. Addressing information is captured and housed in large data stores, some of which are proprietary to a business or organization, and others are commercial products that are provided to entities usually for a fee.  
         [0003]     Performing services under these continuously evolving conditions can be challenging. For example, a telephone service provider or cable television service provider need to have current and accurate information about its customers in order to provide and maintain a desirable level of service and remain competitive in the marketplace. Updating and maintaining such large quantities of fluctuating data has been generally a manual task and sometimes addressing information is not updated until a problem occurs at which time a physical change to the database of addressing information is then made.  
         [0004]     What is needed, therefore, is a way to facilitate information storage and retrieval of address referrals.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0005]     The foregoing discussed drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art are overcome or alleviated by the addressing referral system of the invention  
         [0006]     Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to methods, systems, and storage mediums for facilitating information storage and retrieval of address referrals. The method includes parsing addressing data imported from a legacy file, generating searchable records of parsed addressing data, and presenting at least one of the records to a first analyst via a graphical user interface for analysis. The method further includes generating a referral for the record as a result of the analysis via the graphical user interface, assigning a pending status to the referral indicating the referral requires further analysis, and saving the referral in a database. The referral includes the parsed addressing data and a correction type code. The correction type code indicates a recommended action to be performed on addressing data contained in the referral.  
         [0007]     Embodiments of the system include an originating analyst center including a first server. The first server stores at least one legacy file containing addressing data. The system also includes a receiving analyst center that includes a computer client system. The system further includes a host system comprising a second server in communication with the originating analyst center and the receiving analyst center via a communications network. Also included in the system is an addressing referral system and graphical user interface executing on the second server and a data repository in communication with the host system. The data repository stores addressing data imported and parsed from the legacy files by the addressing referral system. The system also includes at least one referral created at the originating analyst center via the graphical user interface. The referral is created in response to analysis performed on parsed addressing data. The referral is stored in the data repository and is accessible to the receiving analyst center. The referral includes addressing data and a correction type code used for recommending an action to be taken for the addressing data by the receiving analyst center.  
         [0008]     Other systems, methods, and/or computer program products according to embodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or computer program products be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     Referring to the exemplary drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several FIGURES:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system upon which the addressing referral system is implemented in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart describing a process of implementing the addressing referral system in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a sample computer screen window provided by the addressing referral system for use in enabling an originating analyst to search records for subsequent analysis in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a sample computer screen window displaying records retrieved by the addressing referral system as a result of a search performed by an originating analyst in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is sample computer screen window provided by the addressing referral system to an originating analyst subsequent to selecting a record to analyze and/or update in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a sample computer screen subwindow presented by the addressing referral system that enables an originating analyst to filter records retrieved during a record search in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a sample computer screen subwindow presented by the addressing referral system that enables an originating analyst to select and/or filter columns of data fields resulting from a record search in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a sample computer screen window presented by the addressing referral system as a result of filtering and selecting columns of data fields relating to records searched by an originating analyst in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a sample computer screen window presented by the addressing referral system that enables an originating analyst to search for records and referrals using a variety of search criteria in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is a sample computer screen window presented by the addressing referral system as a result of performing a search for referrals by an originating analyst in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  is a sample computer screen window provided by the addressing referral system for enabling a performing a search by a receiving analyst in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 12  is a sample computer screen window provided by the addressing referral system including a menu of selectable reporting options in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 13  is a sample history report created by the addressing referral system in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]     Disclosed herein is a method, system, and storage medium for facilitating information storage and retrieval of addressing data. The addressing referral system provides a means for gathering addressing data from a data store (e.g., legacy system), parsing the data, and inputting the data to a GUI for analysis. Depending upon the results of the analysis, referrals may be generated in order to provide further evaluation, pursue corrective action including follow up measures, and updating the results to a database. The addressing referral system tracks the progress of the referrals throughout the process. A variety of reporting options are available through the addressing referral system as well. Reporting options may be used to check statuses of work items, balance workloads, monitor employee productivity, and manage the overall referral process.  
         [0024]     While the addressing referral system is described herein with respect to the telephone service industry, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the addressing referral system may be implemented by any entity that utilizes addressing information such as, but not limited to, the cable television service industry, utility industries, and government entities such as a registry of motor vehicles or police and fire departments, to name a few.  
         [0025]     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a block diagram of a network system for implementing the addressing referral system in exemplary embodiments of the invention. Network system  100  includes an originating analyst center  102 , a receiving analyst center  104 , and a remote communications device  108 , each of which is in communication with a host system  106  via a communications network. The communications network may include any type of network such as a public switched telephone network (PSTN), wireless, WiFi, LAN, WAN, IP, radio, VoIP, etc., or a combination of the above.  
         [0026]     Originating analyst center  102  includes a computer client system  110  and a server  112 . An analyst on computer client system  110  exports legacy files  113  that comprise addressing data to server  112  in response to queries to the legacy system for legacy reports. Originating analyst center  102  represents an analysis center designed to manage and improve database information. For example, originating analyst center  102  may provide engineering services, dispatch, and similar services for entities that utilize addressing information such as receiving analyst center  104 . Server  112  may comprise a high-powered multiprocessor computer device or may be a server including web and applications server software for receiving requests from computer client system  110  to process addressing information and exchange data between each other via the Internet or other network.  
         [0027]     Receiving analyst center  104  includes a computer client system  114 . An analyst on computer client system  114  accesses referrals via GUI  120  that have been generated by originating analyst center  102  and performs evaluation and possible corrective actions on the referrals. Originating analyst center  102  serves as a ‘watchdog’ for receiving analyst center  104 . Receiving analyst center  104  represents an assignment center.  
         [0028]     Remote communications device  108  represents a communications device used by a field technician associated with the servicing entity that communicates with centers  102 ,  104 , and/or  106  when performing fieldwork such as installations or repairs. Remote communications device  108  may comprise a wireless telephone, a personal digital assistant, a two-way radio, a personal computer installed in a technician&#39;s vehicle or otherwise provided to the remote technician, among other suitable mobile communications tools.  
         [0029]     While network system  100  features only one originating analyst center  102 , one receiving analyst center  104 , and one remote communications device  108 , it will be understood that any number of centers/remote devices may be utilized to realize the advantages of the invention.  
         [0030]     Computer client systems  110  and  114  may be general-purpose desktop computers that subscribe to an Internet service and may each include an email application, a web browser application, and/or any other suitable programs that reside in memory and execute on computer client systems  110  and  114 . It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the addressing referral system of the invention may be executed on systems with variant architectures. Computer client systems  110  and  114  are in communication with other entities of network system  100  via a network connection such as the Internet or other suitable means of networking architecture.  
         [0031]     Host system  106  includes a server  118  and data repository  122  in communication via a network  124 . Data repository  122  stores analysis data database  128 , reports database  130 , and referrals database  132 . Analysis data database  128  refers to records of addressing data that have been parsed by the addressing referral system, assigned an initial status of “open”, and are selectable by an originating analyst center for analysis. A record may include such information as house number/unit number, street name, city, district, etc. for a specific location. Reports database  130  stores a variety of addressing reports created via the addressing referral system. Reporting options are described further in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . Referrals database  132  stores referrals that have been created by an originating analyst for purposes of identifying possible corrective actions to be taken for the address cited in the referral or for further evaluation by a receiving analyst. Referrals include address data, correction codes, and other information used by analysts and the addressing referral system. Three separate databases  128 - 132  are shown in  FIG. 1  for illustrative purposes. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that any number of databases may be utilized to house the data described with respect to databases  128 - 132 , including a single database of tables, in order to realize the advantages of the invention. Thus, the recitation of three separate databases is not meant to be construed as limiting in scope.  
         [0032]     Network  124  may comprise a wireline cable directly linking server  118  to data repository  122  or may comprise a network system such as an Intranet. In one embodiment, server  118  executes the addressing referral system and allows analyst centers  102  and  104  to access its features and functions as described further herein.  
         [0033]     The addressing referral system includes a graphical user interface  120 . A main menu  302  of addressing referral system graphical user interface  120  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) includes four options: open worksheet  304 , data inquiry  306 , reports  308 , and change password  310 . These four options  304 - 310 , as described herein, are functionally similar to options  1102  shown in  FIG. 11 . Options  304 - 310  are distinguishable from options  1102  in that the type of information accessible via these functions are dependent upon whether an originating analyst is requesting information or a receiving analyst is requesting information. For example, the computer screen of  FIG. 3  corresponds to what an originating analyst sees upon accessing worksheet option  304 , while  FIG. 11  illustrates a computer screen viewed by a receiving analyst upon selecting the open worksheet option  1102 . The open worksheet option  304  allows an analyst to access referrals entered by originating analyst center  102  in order to perform investigation and update activities. Data inquiry option  306  allows an analyst to view (but not edit) referrals entered by originating analyst center  102 . Reports option  308  allows an analyst to request reports generated by the addressing referral system. Change password option  310  enables an analyst to change individual passwords for accessing the system. The sample computer screens of  FIGS. 3-13  illustrate some of the features of the addressing referral system graphical user interface  120  and are described further herein. GUI  120  also provides navigational tools including a filter tool  121  and a ‘hide’ tool  123 , both of which are described further herein.  
         [0034]     In alternative embodiments, analyst centers  102  and  104  execute the addressing referral system. In yet a further embodiment, analyst centers  102  and  104  share execution of the addressing referral system with host system  106  and may store the addressing referral system software internally. Further, in alternative embodiments, data manipulated by the addressing referral system may be stored at one or both of analyst centers  102  and  104 , in addition to, or in lieu of data repository  122 . Host system  106  may be a corporate entity of analyst centers  102  and  104  that provides a centralized repository of addressing referral information, or host system  106  may be an applications service provider that provides web services such as the addressing referral system, and/or content management services on behalf of analyst centers  102  and  104 . It will be understood that other embodiments, in addition to those specified above, are contemplated by the addressing referral system and that the above representations are made for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope.  
         [0035]     As indicated above, the addressing referral system may be executed as a standalone application that is installed or downloaded on a computer client system or may be incorporated into an existing application or similar commercially available product as an enhancement feature. Further, as indicated above, the features of the addressing referral system may be provided via a third party application service provider (ASP) or e-utilities broker where service is provided for a per-use fee in alternative embodiments.  
         [0036]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart describing the process of implementing the addressing referral system. A user at originating analyst center  102  runs a report from a legacy system at step  202  and saves the report to a file  113  on server  112  at step  204 . Server  118  periodically accesses server  112 , imports files  113 , parses data from files  113 , and stores the records of parsed data in analysis data database  128  in data repository  122  at step  206 . The addressing referral system assigns an initial status of “open” to each record indicating that the record is awaiting analysis by an originating analyst.  
         [0037]     An analyst at originating analyst center  102  accesses GUI  120 , searches for records to analyze at step  208 , and performs an initial analysis at step  210 . This may be accomplished via computer screens  300  and  400  of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , respectively. Specifically, an originating analyst selects open worksheet option  302  from the computer screen window  300  of  FIG. 3  and enters information in one of data fields  312  or  314  which specifies the location of the addressing information desired. The originating analyst may also sort the search results using data field  316  according to sort criteria as shown in  FIG. 3 . Once completed, the originating analyst clicks on the submit option  318  whereby the addressing referral system searches for records that meet the criteria selected by the originating analyst.  FIG. 4  illustrates a sample computer screen window  400  depicting the results of the search conducted via computer screen window  300 . The addressing referral system initially assigns a status of ‘open’ to each record of information indicating that the record is ready for evaluation by an originating analyst.  
         [0038]     Once a record has been evaluated, the analyst at center  102  determines what records, if any, need to be referred to receiving analyst center  104  for further analysis or corrective action at step  212 . The evaluation process may involve a number of sources of information relating to addressing data such as government or census data, town directories/maps, etc. Any data that does not require referral may be deleted via GUI  120  at step  214 . For records that require referral, the analyst generates a referral by selecting a record via computer screen  400  and selecting the Edit option at the top of the screen, resulting in a subwindow  500  that allows the analyst to provide relevant information about the nature of the referral. This is accomplished utilizing the updates requested option fields  502  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The analyst selects one or more of correction codes  504 - 524  in accordance with the type of action the analyst has determined may be required for the record and may include comments if desired at step  216 . Correction codes  504 - 522  allow an analyst to differentiate the various reasons for referral, actions to be taken, or other specific criteria. Correction type codes may include: change address  504 , remove unit number  506 , remove building number  508 , remove facility address (FA)  510 , change location standard  512  (LOC std; e.g., apartment numbers identified for a complex will be changed from a lettering system to a numbering system), add descriptive  514  (e.g., how an address may be identified in a database), change status of a cable pair from connect through to connected facility  516  (CT to CF), change location data (LOC data)  518 , change local level (LOC level), Other  520  (for providing a customized request), and priority field  524  which allows an analyst to assign a priority to the referral. Priority levels may include dispatch save (DS) that is used when a service order has been recently corrected for this address which, if addressed immediately by the instant dispatch (e.g., by a field technician at an address location using communications device  108 ), may save the field technician from making a second trip to the location. Priority levels may further include a multi-dwelling unit (MDU) indicator that suggests to the analysis center that an issue in need of addressing for a particular referral may apply to other units at the same location. The newly generated referrals are saved in referral database  132  at step  218 .  
         [0039]     An originating analyst may search for open records and/or referrals to analyze using a variety of navigational aids provided by the addressing referral system GUI  120  as shown generally in  FIGS. 6-10 . Searching records by using targeted criteria enables the originating analyst to quickly screen for records/referrals that meet specific or general criteria, resulting in greater efficiency. Addressing data for most geographic regions tends to be quite voluminous. The navigational aids of the addressing referral system provide the ability to target very specific information from analysis data database  128  as well as view high level addressing information as needed. One such tool is the filtering tool  121  of the addressing referral system. Filtering tool  121  is selected by clicking on filter icon  410  on the navigational toolbar  402  of one of  FIGS. 4, 8 , and  10 . The filter screen  600  of  FIG. 6  is presented to the analyst. The originating analyst selects a criteria preference via a drop down box associated with one or more data fields  602 - 630 . For example, by selecting the drop down box for ‘hno’  602 , the analyst is presented with pre-defined options including ‘equals’, ‘less than’, and ‘greater than’. If the analyst is searching for house number 70 for a particular street, the analyst would select ‘equals’ and enter the number 70 in the corresponding box adjacent to the field. The analyst would further select the criteria drop down box for ‘st’  604 , select ‘equals’ and then enter the street name in the adjacent box. Likewise, the analyst may search for all houses on a given street, all streets in a given community, etc. Other fields of search/filter include unit (e.g., apartment number)  606 , floor (fir)  608 , building (bldg)  610 , community (com)  612 , phone number (loop)  614 , additional line (adl)  616 , class of service such as business or residential (al usoc)  618 , pe  620 , service order due date (so ddate)  622 , disconnect date (disc date)  626 , facility cable (co ca)  628 , and other cable (fin ca)  630 . Once completed, the originating analyst selects ‘done’  632  and the addressing referral system searches for only those records/referrals that meet the criteria selected, presenting the records/referrals to the analyst for action.  
         [0040]     Another navigational aid provided by the addressing referral system is a ‘hide’ feature  123  whereby an analyst selects rows and columns of records/referrals to display. This may be useful where the analyst desires limited information about an address or group of addresses and does not require all of the available information that is associated with the address(es). This feature  123  is initiated by selecting the hide columns icon  404  and/or hide rows icon  406  as shown in  FIGS. 4, 8 , and  10 .  FIG. 7  depicts a sample computer screen window  700  that is presented when the analyst selects hide columns icon  404 . In the computer screen  700  of  FIG. 7  the analyst has selected hno  702 , st  704 , unit  706 , updates requested  708 , status  710 , and priority  712 . The analyst selects ‘done’  714 . The addressing referral system presents the records/referrals selected by the analyst with only those selected columns of information displayed. The computer screen window  800  of  FIG. 8  displays the results of these selections.  
         [0041]     The addressing referral system further enables an originating analyst to track the status of their referrals, perform follow up investigations if necessary, and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the analyses and work performed. This may be accomplished via the sample search screen  900  of  FIG. 9 . An originating analyst may search records/referrals by location (e.g., fields  902 - 906 ), by analyst ID  908 , by status  910 , by correction code type  912 , and by date range  914 . The search feature also enables an originating analyst to sort the search results via sort order field  916 . Screen  900  illustrates sample entries provided by an originating analyst. Once completed, the originating analyst selects ‘submit’  918 . A partial summary of this search is provided in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0042]     Once the referral has been entered and submitted, it is ready for access and evaluation by a receiving analyst center  104 . A receiving analyst accesses a referral via GUI  120  at step  220  and evaluates the data and the associated codes. This step is accomplished by selecting the ‘open worksheet’ option on menu  1102  via computer screen window  1100  of  FIG. 11 . The open worksheet option allows receiving analyst center  104  to perform editing of referrals provided by originating analyst center  102 . The receiving analyst enters data in one or more of fields  1104 - 1110  as desired and selects ‘submit’  1112 . The addressing referral system searches for referrals that meet the criteria selected in  FIG. 11  and presents the referrals to the receiving analyst. The receiving analyst reviews each referral on an individual basis sometimes working on groups of referrals with common data, such as same street name and house number. As the receiving analyst works through each referral, if no further action is required at step  222 , the referral is closed by the receiving analyst using a status code (i.e., status field  1104   g ) provided for that purpose at step  224 . If work is needed, the receiving analyst takes the appropriate action and updates the status of each referral as it is handled at step  226 , and the referral is closed at  224 .  
         [0043]     As described above, various searching and reporting options are provided by the addressing referral system. As shown in  FIG. 11 , when a user selects either the open worksheet or data inquiry option, data fields  1104 - 1110  are presented to the user for performing various tasks. Analysts may pull up referrals for edit purposes or to view referrals. Data fields  1104   a - g  provide criteria by which searches may be performed. Termination point  1104   a  refers to equipment serviced at an addressing location. Priority  1104   b  allows an analyst to specify a priority level for a referral (e.g., how quickly the action needs to be performed). State  1104   c , District  1104   d , Community  1104   e , and Street  1104   f  enable an analyst to search for referrals by location criteria. Status  1104   g  specifies the current status of a referral. Status codes include ‘OPEN’ for records created but not yet evaluated by the originating analyst; ‘PND’ for those referrals that are pending investigation and resolution by analyst center  104 ; ‘PND REF’ (pending/referred) for identifying those referrals that have been investigated by receiving analyst center  104  and which are waiting on information from another source before the action specified in the referral may be addressed or resolved; ‘CLSD NC’ (closed/no change) for identifying those referrals that have been investigated by receiving analyst center  104  and are determined not to require the execution of the action that was recommended in the referral; and ‘CLSD’ (closed) for specifying referrals for which investigations were made and for which corrective actions were successfully taken.  
         [0044]     Referrals may also be searched by date range using fields  1106  and  1108  of  FIG. 11 . Date range field  1106  enables an analyst to search for referrals that fall within a user-defined date range for originating analyst center  102 . Date range field  1108  enables an analyst to search for referrals that fall within a user-defined date range for receiving analyst center  104 . For example, an analyst wishes to view/edit referrals from the state of Georgia that have been investigated by a receiving analyst center but remain pending between Mar. 1, 2002 and Apr. 30, 2002. The analyst selects ‘Georgia’ from the drop down option of field  1104   c , followed by selecting ‘PND REF’ from the drop down box of field  1104   g . The analyst then enters the desired dates in one of date range fields  1108 .  
         [0045]     When a receiving analyst selects a search option and does not want to use a default sort provided by the addressing referral system, he/she may select a first, second, and third sort  1110 . For example, a first sort may be by community option  1104  whereby referrals are sorted by community in alphabetical order. The receiving analyst may specify the sort order as ascending or descending and may select sort options and sort order even when he/she does not define the search criteria  1104  but is using the default display.  
         [0046]     The resulting display may contain referrals associated with the login analyst center, or may include referrals for any location serviced by the addressing referral system with proper permissions. If the analyst at receiving analyst center  104  does not want to specify sort or search options, he/she may click on the “submit” button  1112  and the referrals are presented to the analyst as described earlier.  
         [0047]      FIG. 12  illustrates a sample screen display  1200  that provides various reporting options that are available to an analyst. When a user selects ‘reports’ from the menu options  1202 , a second menu  1200  is displayed as shown in  FIG. 12 . The user may select from one of five report types  1204 - 1212 . Report by Status  1204  allows an analyst to view the number of referrals that are currently open, pending, pending/referred, closed, and closed/no change as indicated above with respect to status field  1204   g.    
         [0048]     Report by History  1206  provides information on the efficiency level of a particular analyst. For example, a history report for an individual analyst for a month&#39;s period would indicate the number of referrals open, open but deleted (e.g., the number of referrals the employee loaded into the addressing referral system), pending (e.g., the number of referrals the employee decided that an addressing change should be evaluated), pending/referred, closed, closed/no change, percentage of referrals closed, number of correction types (e.g., what problem was addressed), and percentage of referrals still pending. A sample history report menu screen  1300  is shown in  FIG. 13 . An analyst may search by criteria including region  1302 ; report options  1304  that comprise employee ID (e.g., CUID)  1308 , by group  1310 , and by status  1312 ; as well as by date options  1306 .  
         [0049]     Report by Age by Record  1208  allows a user to search for specific information. This report can be searched by state and report option criteria. Report by Age by Record  1208  allows a user to view the age of referrals by status category (e.g., open, pending, pending/referred), providing insight into the amount of time a referral has been subject to a particular status.  
         [0050]     Report by Duration  1210  allows a user to view referrals and their duration of time between statuses, such as from open to closed, pending to closed, closed to closed/no change. The duration periods range from ‘less than 11 days’, ‘11-20 days’, ‘21-30 days’, and ‘over 30 days.’ 
         [0051]     Report by Correction Type  1212  allows a user to view referrals according to correction type codes. These referrals can be sorted by state. They may also be sorted by date range.  
         [0052]     As will be appreciated from the above description, the restrictions and limitations that exist with traditional manual methods of managing addressing information are efficiently overcome. The addressing referral system includes a graphical user interface for presenting addressing referral information to system users for analysis and updating. The addressing referral system tracks the progress of the referrals throughout the process provides a variety of reporting options as well.  
         [0053]     As described above, embodiments may be in the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those processes. In exemplary embodiments, the invention is embodied in computer program code executed by one or more network elements. Embodiments include computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. Embodiments include computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.  
         [0054]     While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.