Patent Abstract:
A method for performing business control task notification is proposed. The method comprises processing a combination of one or more databases and one or more user profiles to generate a schedule template and receive a request for a schedule. A computer program product compares attributes of the request for the schedule to a user profile and a schedule template to identify one or more events of the schedule template to be accessed from one or more of a plurality of distributed databases and forms a query to be sent to the one or more distributed databases. The query is sent to a particular database among the plurality of distributed databases. The computer program product receives a positive response to the query, indicating that the particular database contains a first event for the schedule, and the event. In response to receiving the event, the schedule is created. The schedule is stored. One or more current events in the schedule requiring a notification are identified, and the notification is sent to a destination.

Full Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM  
       [0001]     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/043,670 (Atty. Docket No. END920040158US1), filed on Jan. 25, 2005, and entitled, “Configurable Business Controls Task Notification,” which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Technical Field  
         [0003]     The present invention relates in general to data processing and in particular to improving efficiency of data access, distribution and modification within distributed databases containing diverse event notifications. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a system, method and computer program product for generating, accessing, distributing and/or modifying events in multiple business control databases that contain event reminders.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     The profusion of business control schedules, representing processes wherein distributed employees and organizations must complete activities that define the operational compliance of a business with defined standards, has created an entangled and incomprehensible web of activities that must be performed by employees and organizations. Application of these processes runs from governmental compliance such as environmental, health, safety, and accounting regulation to business certifications such as ISO9000 and internal procedures such as information technology and security. In many industrial organizations, employees find themselves bombarded with multiple sets of business controls compliance tasks, coming from multiple sources, with no integrated system for delivery or prioritization.  
         [0006]     Conventionally, distributed database systems define and store records, such as user IDs, user groups and other information in a variety of different locations and storage systems related to specific functions. The existing standards-based information storage and retrieval methods (e.g. Distributed Computing Environment (DCE), Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), Network Information System (NIS+) and others) were designed to serve disparate purposes.  
         [0007]     As can be foreseen from the description of each of the task types listed above, the emphasis on compliance with individual processes has encourage conflicting demands on employees. Further, because of the different purposes driving the designs of the business control procedures listed above, each procedure set has tended to reside within its own administrative tools, requiring employees to learn those tools.  
         [0008]     There is presently no adequate mechanism for managing events in multiple business control databases. The increasing need for employees to comply with multiple such business control systems has created an unfulfilled and increasing need for unified management of business control tasks, particularly in large organizations. What is needed is a way to enable integrated interaction with business control schedule events, which are distributed across several storage locations and tied to different tasks, for consolidated management of business control tasks.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     A method for performing business control task notification is proposed. The method comprises processing a combination of one or more databases and one or more user profiles to generate a schedule template and receive a request for a schedule. A computer program product compares attributes of the request for the schedule to a user profile and a schedule template to identify one or more events of the schedule template to be accessed from one or more of a plurality of distributed databases and forms a query to be sent to the one or more distributed databases. The query is sent to a particular database among the plurality of distributed databases. The computer program product receives a positive response to the query, indicating that the particular database contains a first event for the schedule, and the event. In response to receiving the event, the schedule is created. The schedule is stored. One or more current events in the schedule requiring a notification are identified, and the notification is sent to a destination.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a distributed database in a network environment, in which preferred embodiments of the method, system and computer program product for performing business control task notification is implemented;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a high-level logical flowchart of a process for checking a schedule and sending notices in performing business control task notification in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a high-level logical flowchart of a process for preparing a schedule in performing business control task notification in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a high-level logical flowchart of a process for querying schedule databases in performing business control task notification in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a high-level logical flowchart of a process for preparing template data in performing business control task notification in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0016]     With reference now to the figures and in particular with reference to  FIG. 1 , there is depicted an exemplary network environment with which the present invention may be advantageously utilized. The illustrated network environment includes a local or wide area network  100 , such as the Internet or another packetized digital network. An integrated control manager data processing system  102 , an information technology schedule database  104 , an ISO schedule database  106 , a health and environment schedule database  108 , a first client  128  and a second client  130  are attached to network  100 , and communication is enabled through contact and routing information contained in database configuration  110 .  
         [0017]     Each of information technology schedule database  104 , ISO schedule database  106 , and health and environment schedule database  108  contains business control schedule events stored in electronic records, representing processes wherein distributed employees and organizations must complete activities. Any employee or organization may be involved in the completion of activities reflected in business control schedules on one or more of information technology schedule database  104 , ISO schedule database  106 , and health and environment schedule database  108 . Employees interact with the schedules created by integrated control manager data processing system  102  through first client  128  and second client  130 . Integrated control manager data processing system  102  performs functions related to access and distribution and of events stored in electronic records, located on information technology schedule database  104 , ISO schedule database  106 , and health and environment schedule database  108 . Integrated control manager data processing system  102  uses data stored in database configuration  110  to communicate with information technology schedule database  104 , ISO schedule database  106 , and health and environment schedule database  108  over network  100 .  
         [0018]     For the purpose of simplifying discussion of the invention itself, many details of integrated control manager data processing system  102 , which details are well within that which is known to one of skill in the relevant data processing arts, have been omitted from the discussion of the present invention. The operations of integrated control manager data processing system  102  with respect to information technology schedule database  104 , ISO schedule database  106 , and health and environment schedule database  108  may be implemented with conventional or later-developed hardware or software.  
         [0019]     The functions of integrated control manager data processing system  102  include, but are not limited to access to and distribution of electronic records containing schedule events. In the example shown with respect to integrated control manager data processing system  102 , integrated control manager data processing system  102  operates under instructions to assemble, based on the content of a template database  132  a user schedule  152  for a given user profile among user profiles  142  (e.g. first user profile  140 , second user profile  144 , third user profile  146  and fourth user profile  148 ) containing a group of schedule events, such as a first event  112 , a second event  114 , a third event  116 , and a fourth event  118 . For some of first event  112 , second event  114 , third event  116 , and fourth event  118 , integrated control manager data processing system  102  will have access to stored information, hereafter called assignments, sometimes internally stored in template database  132  and sometimes stored on database configuration  110 , relating to the location from which some events can be retrieved, but may have no such assignment information relative to the locations from which other events may be retrieved.  
         [0020]     User schedule  142  is contained in master schedule database  176  along with fulfillment URLs  150 . Fulfillment URLS  150  contains LURLs that can be used to help users perform actions associated with specific events. Many of these events can be performed or confirmed by transmission of messages to one of information technology schedule database  104 , ISO schedule database  106 , and health and environment schedule database  108 , such as client-to-database message  178  to ISO schedule database  106  and database-to-client message  180  from ISO schedule database  106 . Events from user schedule  152  are sent to first client  128  and second client  130  by notification engine  126 . Notification engine  126  is capable of receiving a schedule request  154  from a client, such as first client  128  and sending notification messages, such as notification message  156  to first client  128  and notification message  158  to second client  130 . When notification engine  126  receives a schedule request  154  from first client  128 , notification engine  126  sends a query request  188  to query engine  190 . Query engine  190  sends a template request  192  to template database  132  and receives a template reply  194  in response. Query engine  190  also sends a profile request  196  to user profiles  142  and receives a profile reply  198  in response. Notification engine  126  can also send a notification message  158  in response to receiving a schedule alert  186  from master schedule database  176 .  
         [0021]     Template engine  138  can send a database request, such as database request  172  to health and environment database  108  and receive a database result transmission  174 . Template engine  138  also sends a user profile request  182  to template user profiles  142  and receives a profile result transmission  184 . Template engine  138  delivers current templates  136  as a template report  199 .  
         [0022]     Template database  132  contains data for determining what events to assemble for a user schedule  152  based on the content of a user profile (e.g., first user profile  140 ) and is generated by template engine  138 . Template database  132  contains current templates  136  and past template archive  134 . Past template archive  134  contains a record of past templates and schedules. First event  112 , second event  114 , third event  116 , and fourth event  118  are retrieved into user schedule  152  in master schedule database  176  by integrated control manager data processing system  102  through the sending of queries, which queries are based on current templates  136 , to information technology schedule database  104 , ISO schedule database  106 , and health and environment schedule database  108 . For purposes of explanation, the example illustrated with respect to  FIG. 1  operates on the assumption that integrated control manager data processing system  102  will have access to information, stored in current templates  136  relating to the location among information technology schedule database  104 , ISO schedule database  106 , and health and environment schedule database  108  at which first event  112  and third event  116  can be accessed. With respect to second event  114  and fourth event  118 , the example illustrated with respect to  FIG. 1  assumes that no location data is available to integrated control manager data processing system  102  that would be helpful in ascertaining the location of the events among information technology schedule database  104 , ISO schedule database  106 , and health and environment schedule database  108  of second event  114  and fourth event  118 .  
         [0023]     A client, such as first client  128 , can communicate directly with a database, such as ISO schedule database  106 , through messages, such as client-to-database message  178  and database-to-client message  180 .  
         [0024]     The process for managing database records with events located in multiple registries in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, described in detail below with respect to  FIG. 4 , will result in the sending and receiving of several messages. As examples of these messages, first query message  160  contains first query  120 , directed to information technology schedule database  104 , and includes a request for first event  112 , second event  114  and fourth event  118 . No request for third event  116  is included in first query  120 , because location data is available to integrated control manager data processing system  102  that indicates the presence of third event  116  on health and environment schedule database  108 . The response to first query  120  arrives at integrated control manager data processing system  102  in the form of first event message  162 , which contains first event  112  and data acknowledging the absence from information technology schedule database  104  of second event  114  and fourth event  118 .  
         [0025]     Similarly, second query message  164  contains second query  122 , directed to ISO schedule database  106 , and includes a request for second event  114  and fourth event  118 . No request for third event  116  is included in second query  122 , because location data is available to integrated control manager data processing system  102  that indicates the presence of third event  116  on health and environment schedule database  108 . Likewise, no request for first event  112  is included in second query  122 , because integrated control manager data processing system  102  received first event  112  in first event message  162 . The response to second query  122  arrives at integrated control manager data processing system  102  in the form of second event message  166 , which contains second event  114  and data acknowledging the absence from ISO schedule database  106  of fourth event  118 .  
         [0026]     As a final example, third query message  168  contains third query  124 , directed to health and environment schedule database  108 , and includes a request for third event  116  and fourth event  118 . No request for first event  112  or second event  114  is included in third query  124 , because integrated control manager data processing system  102  received first event  112  in first event message  162  and received second event  114  in second event message  166 . The response to third query  124  arrives at integrated control manager data processing system  102  in the form of third event message  170 , which contains third event  116  and data acknowledging the absence from health and environment schedule database  108  of fourth event  118 .  
         [0027]     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a high-level logical flowchart of a process for checking a schedule and sending notices and performing business control task notification in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The process starts at step  200 , which will typically correspond to activation of master schedule database  176  on integrated business control manager  102 . The process next moves to step  202 . At step  202 , master schedule database  176  verifies whether any schedules exist, which have not been checked recently for near-term event dates. If no such unchecked schedules exist, then the process ends at step  204 . If unchecked schedules exist, then the process next moves to step  206 , which depicts master schedule database  176  loading user schedule  152 . The process then proceeds to step  208 .  
         [0028]     At step  208 , master schedule database  176  on integrated business control manager  102  examines user schedule  152  for events with near-term dates. This examination for near term dates is accomplished by reviewing the required performance dates in first event  112 , second event  114 , third event  116  and fourth event  118 . If events with near term dates do not exist, then the process ends at step  204 . If events with near term dates do exist, then the process next moves to step  210 .  
         [0029]     At step  210 , master schedule database  176  sends a schedule alert  186 , containing any events with near-term required performance dates to notification engine  126 . The process next moves to step  212 , which depicts notification engine  126  processing schedule alert  186  by sending a notification  158  to second client  130 . The process then returns to step  202 , which is described above.  
         [0030]     With reference now to  FIG. 3 , a high-level logical flowchart of a process for preparing a schedule and performing business control task notification in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The process starts at step  300 , which corresponds to activation of notification engine  126 . The process then moves to step  302 . At step  302 , notification engine  126  receives a schedule request  154  from first client  128 . The process then proceeds to step  304 , which depicts integrated business control manager  102  comparing a user profile, such as fourth user profile  148  to data from current templates  136  in compliance with schedule request  154 . This is accomplished as notification engine  126  sends a query request  188  to query engine  190 . Query engine  190  then sends a profile request  196  to user profiles  142  and receives a user profile such as fourth user profile  148  in a profile reply  198 . Query engine  190  then sends a template request  192  to template database  132  and the template database replies by sending an appropriate subset of current templates  136  in a template reply  194  to query engine  190 .  
         [0031]     The process next moves to step  306 . At step  306 , query engine  190  queries databases for attributes called for in the template from among current templates  136  received in template reply  194 , as is detailed below with respect to  FIG. 4 . Upon receipt of responses to database queries as a part of the process of step  306 , the process then moves to step  308 . At step  308 , master schedule database  176  prepares, delivers, and stores a user schedule  152 . Delivery of a schedule can be accomplished by sending a schedule alert  186  to notification engine  156 . The process then ends at step  310 .  
         [0032]     With reference now to  FIG. 4 , there is depicted a high-level logical flowchart of a process for managing database records with events located in multiple registries in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. While the process of  FIG. 4  has been illustrated in a simplified embodiment as a logical flowchart, wherein single operations are explained sequentially for the purpose of explanatory clarity, one skilled in the art will quickly recognize that the process depicted in  FIG. 4  can be separated into a group of interacting processes, operating as modules or program objects in parallel processes and interacting with one another.  
         [0033]     Among these subprocesses, which can be described as modules and whose parts will be explained in greater detail below, assignment module  454  comprises steps  404 - 412 . Assignment module  454  performs steps related to identifying whether, for each requested event, a known schedule database location exists, such as information technology schedule database  104  as a location for first event  112 . As will be detailed below, with respect to the example portrayed in  FIG. 1 , the steps of assignment module  454  include analysis by integrated control manager data processing system  102  of current templates  136  in template database  132  as to which schedule database can appropriately provide a given event, and the assignment of the event to a list, which is then used by integrated control manager data processing system  102  in query preparation module  456 .  
         [0034]     Query preparation module  456  comprises steps  414 - 430  and step  450 . Query preparation module  456  prepares queries for integrated control manager data processing system  102  to send to databases across network  100 . The third module, query communication module  458 , includes steps  432 - 440  and sends queries to databases across network  100 .  
         [0035]     The process of  FIG. 4  begins at step  400 , which depicts integrated control manager data processing system  102  beginning the process of creating a schedule by accessing, distributing and modifying events in databases that are distributed across multiple data processing systems connected to a network. Step  400  typically involves activation of a query process on integrated control manager data processing system  102 , and activation may come from a user or an automated query. The process then proceeds to step  402 , which illustrates integrated control manager data processing system  102  receiving schedule request  154 . Schedule request  154  is received at notification engine  126 . As depicted with respect to the example in  FIG. 1 , integrated control manager data processing system  102  processes a query for four events of one or more records. The requested events are first event  112 , second event  114 , third event  116 , and fourth event  118 .  
         [0036]     The process of  FIG. 4  next moves to step  404 , which is part of an assignment subprocess, previously identified as assignment module  454 . Step  404  depicts integrated control manager data processing system  102  determining whether any requested events (e.g., first event  112 , second event  114 , third event  116 , and fourth event  118 ) remain in an ‘unassigned’ condition. For purposes of the discussion with respect to  FIG. 4  in light of the example described with respect to  FIG. 1 , an unassigned condition exists whenever, with respect to one of first event  112 , second event  114 , third event  116 , and fourth event  118 , integrated control manager data processing system  102  does not possess information as to the location among information technology schedule database  104 , ISO schedule database  106  and health and environment schedule database  108  on which the needed event is stored. If the location of all desired events is known, then the process of  FIG. 4  moves to step  414  in query formation module  456 , which is described in detail below.  
         [0037]     If, however, as in the example portrayed in  FIG. 1 , there exist events in an unassigned condition, for which location data is not available on integrated control manager data processing system  102 , then the process of  FIG. 4  next proceeds to step  406 , which illustrates integrated control manager data processing system  102  queuing a next event for identification of its location. The process then moves to step  408 , which illustrates integrated control manager data processing system  102  determining whether a database from among those to which integrated control manager data processing system  102  can send queries (e.g., information technology schedule database  104 , ISO schedule database  106  and health and environment schedule database  108 ) is assigned to provide the event in question. The determination as to whether a database among those to which integrated control manager data processing system  102  can send queries is assigned to provide the event in question can be made from data received in a request to access events in step  402 , from data stored on integrated control manager data processing system  102  or from data stored by other sources.  
         [0038]     If a database is specified for the event in question, the process then moves to step  410  which depicts integrated control manager data processing system  102  assigning the event in question to a location list for the specified database. With respect to the example portrayed in  FIG. 1 , because the location of first event  112  on information technology schedule database  104  is known, integrated control manager data processing system  102  assigns first event  112  to the list of events to be queried from information technology schedule database  104 . Similarly, because the location of third event  116  on health and environment schedule database  108  is known, integrated control manager data processing system  102  assigns third event  116  to the list of events to be queried from health and environment schedule database  108 .  
         [0039]     In step  408 , if no location data is available for first event  112 , then the process proceeds to step  412 , which depicts integrated control manager data processing system  102  assigning an event to the list of events for which no database is known. In the example depicted in  FIG. 1 , database locations are assigned and known for first event  112  and third event  116 , which would be assigned to query lists for their respective information technology schedule database  104  and health and environment schedule database  108 . However, no location data is available for second event  114  and fourth event  118 . Second event  114  and fourth event  118  would be assigned to the query list for those events for which no database location data is known. After the completion of step  410  or the completion of step  412 , the process returns to step  404 .  
         [0040]     If, in step  404 , no events remain which have not been assigned to the lists for a particular database or to the list for which no database location is known, the process then enters query preparation module  456  as the process moves to step  414 . Step  414  illustrates integrated control manager data processing system  102  adding any known unused database location data to the list of databases which will be queried with respect to events for which no location database is known. This data will typically be available from database configuration  110 .  
         [0041]     The process of  FIG. 4  then proceeds to step  416 , which depicts integrated control manager data processing system  102  determining whether any unreceived events remain. If no unreceived events remain, then the process leaves query preparation module  456  and enters return module  460  as the process moves to step  442 , which will be described in detail below.  
         [0042]     If any unreceived events remain, then the process of  FIG. 4  proceeds to step  418 , which illustrates integrated control manager data processing system  102  determining whether it has exhausted all of the possible databases that are available to receive queries for any unreceived events. The databases, which are available to receive queries for unreceived events, will include those databases referenced in information stored on integrated control manager data processing system  102 , those databases referenced in information received from database configuration  110 , and those databases referenced in any information received in response to queries to previously queried databases. An individual database is exhausted after a query has been sent to it.  
         [0043]     If the available databases have not been exhausted, then the process moves to step  420 , which depicts integrated control manager data processing system  102  queuing the next event for possible addition to the query, which is being prepared for transmission to the current database selected in step  420 . The process then proceeds to step  422 , which depicts integrated control manager data processing system  102  determining whether any of the desired events remain untried for the current database selected in step  420 . This step involves determining whether each of the unreceived events has been tried for the current database selected in step  440 .  
         [0044]     If, in step  422 , untried events remain, then the process of the preferred embodiment will move to step  424 , which illustrates the integrated control manager data processing system  102  designating the next event for possible addition to the query being sent the current database selected in step  420 . The process then proceeds to step  426 , which depicts integrated control manager data processing system  102  determining whether the database specified in step  424  to receive the query currently being formed is the desired database that is assigned as containing the event under consideration. To determine if the database specified in step  424  to receive the query currently being formed in query formation module  456  is the desired database that is assigned as containing the event under consideration, integrated control manager data processing system  102  refers to the list prepared in assignment module  454  for the current database selected in step  420 , and ascertains whether the current event contained is identified on the list generated in assignment module  454 . If the specified database being tried is the desired database, which is known to contain the required event, then the process moves to step  428 , which depicts integrated control manager data processing system adding the current event to the query for the current database.  
         [0045]     If in step  426 , the specified database is not the desired database, the process proceeds to step  430 , which illustrates integrated control manager data processing system determining whether any database is specified with respect to the event under consideration. Integrated control manager data processing system  102  determines that no database is specified for an event by searching for the current event in the list prepared by assignment module  454 , containing those events for which no database was specified. If no database is specified for the event under consideration, the process moves to step  428 , in which integrated control manager data processing system  102  adds the event under consideration, for which no location data is available, to the query being prepared for the current database selected in step  420 .  
         [0046]     If a specified database is available but the current database is not the specified database, then the process returns to step  422 , which is discussed above. Returning to step  422 , if no events remain untried for the current database, then the process moves to step  432 , which depicts sending a query to the current database.  
         [0047]     In the example illustrated with respect to  FIG. 1 , three queries are presented. First query  120  is a query for first event  112 , fourth event  118 , and second event  114 . Second query  122  is a query requesting second event  114  and fourth event  118 . Third query  124  requests third event  116  and fourth event  118 .  
         [0048]     Returning to  FIG. 4 , the process of  FIG. 4  next passes to step  434 , which illustrates client data processing  102  receiving events. As noted above, sending query  120  as a first query message  160  would result in the return of event  112  in first event message  162 . Similarly, sending second query  122  as second query message  164  would result in receipt of second event  114  as second event message  166 , and sending third query  124  as third query message  168  would result in receipt of third event  116  as third event message  170 . The process then proceeds to step  436 , wherein integrated control manager data processing system  102  stores location data for the events that it has received in step  434 . The process next moves to step  438 , which depicts integrated control manager data processing system performing operations on or with the received events. Operations performed on the received events will vary from embodiment to embodiment, and can include any operation that would be performed in the conventional. The process of  FIG. 4  next proceeds to step  440 , which depicts the recording on un-received events, and is then followed by a return to step  416 , which is discussed above.  
         [0049]     Returning to step  416 , if integrated control manager data processing system determines that no un-received events remain, the process next moves to step  442 , which depicts integrated control manager data processing system  102  determining whether a return of any events is required. If the return of events is required, the process of  FIG. 4  then proceeds to step  444 , which depicts modification of events which require modification. The process then moves to step  446 , which depicts replacing the modified events in their original databases by reference to the stored location information. The process then ends at step  448 . If, in step  442 , integrated control manager data processing system  102  determines that no events require modification, then the process of  FIG. 4  next moves to step  448 , where it ends.  
         [0050]     Returning to step  418 , if, in step  418  integrated control manager data processing system  102  determines that all of its available databases have been queried and there are events that have not been found in any database, then the process moves to step  450 , which illustrates integrated control manager data processing system reporting failures and ends at step  448 .  
         [0051]     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , a high-level logical flowchart of a process for preparing template data and performing business control task notification in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention as depicted. The process starts at step  500 , which corresponds to activation of template engine  138 . The process next proceeds to step  502 . Step  502  depicts template engine  138  requesting a database and a user profile. Template engine  138  requests a user profile by sending profile request  182  to user profiles  142 . Template engine  138  requests a database by sending database request  172  to a database such as health and environmental schedule database  108 . The process then moves to step  504  which depicts template engine receiving a database and a user profile. As depicted in the example illustrated in  FIG. 1 , template engine  138  receives a profile result transmission  184  containing first user profile  140 , second user profile  144 , third user profile  146  and fourth user profile  148 . Template engine  138  also receives health and environment schedule database as part of database result transmission  174 . The process then moves to step  506 . Step  506  depicts template engine  138  determining whether it has exhausted available common events from first user profile  140 , second user profile  144 , third user profile  146  and fourth user profile  148 . If common events from first user profile  140 , second user profile  144 , third user profile  146  and fourth user profile  148  have been exhausted, then the process proceeds to step  507 , which depicts template engine generating a report. A template report  199  is sent to template database  132 , and the process then ends at step  508 .  
         [0052]     If at step  506 , common events from first user profile  140 , second user profile  144 , third user profile  146  and fourth user profile  148  have not been exhausted, then the process proceeds to step  510 , which depicts template engine  138  identifying and processing a next common event from among two or more of first user profile  140 , second user profile  144 , third user profile  146  and fourth user profile  148 . The process then moves to step  512 , which depicts template engine  138  determining whether the common event processed in step  510  correlates to a common trait. If the common event correlates to no discernable common trait, then the process proceeds to step  514 , which depicts template engine  138  flagging the common event for later processing. If the common event correlates to a common trait in step  512 , then the process next moves to step  516 . Step  516  depicts template engine  138  adding the common event and common trait to template report  199 .  
         [0053]     As has been described, the present invention provides a system, method and computer program product for accessing and distributing events in business control database that are distributed across multiple data processing systems connected to a network. The present invention provides facilities for sending a queries from a local integrated control manager data processing system to a remote database, wherein that query is composed of requests for events known to be stored on the database and events whose location is unknown. Once an event is received from a remote database, the present invention provides facilities for creating schedules and for notifying clients. The present invention improves interaction between clients and business control databases by providing an orderly and methodical system for dealing with events distributed across multiple databases.  
         [0054]     While the invention has been particularly shown as described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is also important to note that although the present invention has been described in the context of a fully functional computer system, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the present invention are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that the present invention applies equally regardless of the particular type of signal bearing media utilized to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of signal bearing media include, without limitation, recordable type media such as floppy disks or CD ROMs and transmission type media such as analog or digital communications links.  
         [0055]     The present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments that are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Although specific terms are used, the description thus given uses terminology in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6