Abstract:
A system and method for integrating a network-based tool with a personal computer-based application for selecting and configuring a product. The network based tool, which may be running on a user&#39;s PC, saves the data from the configuration to the PC based application. The network-based tool then stores the data in its data storage format, thereby allowing the rest of the PC based application to use the data.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates generally to use of computer network-based tools, which may be running locally on a user&#39;s Personal Computer (PC), and more particularly to a method and system for integrating a web-based tool with a personal computer-based application.  
           [0002]    Configuring equipment, particularly sophisticated equipment, can be a daunting task given the array of parameters that typically characterize an item of equipment. This task can be particularly challenging for customers and others who are not familiar with the product. Consequently businesses have created computer-based programs to assist customers in selecting the products they need, and in configuring the products to fit the customer&#39;s requirements. For some applications these programs are PC-based.  
           [0003]    Such PC-based programs are now being superseded by Internet-based programs that afford customers access to product information that can be continuously and easily updated by the company. Moreover, use of the Internet allows the company to afford users an easy way not only to select and configure the product, but to order the product online. Despite these advantages, companies are often reluctant to force their customers to switch from a familiar PC-based program that the customers are accustomed to using to an unfamiliar, Internet- or other network-based program.  
           [0004]    Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a method of integrating a PC-based program with a network-based tool, which may be running locally on a user&#39;s PC, to bring the aforementioned advantages of a network-based program to the customer through use of the PC-based program in a way that is transparent to the customer.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    In an exemplary embodiment, a method for integrating a network-based tool, which may be running locally on a user&#39;s PC with a personal computer-based (PC-based) application includes a PC-based application that offers a variety of product categories to a user. When the user selects a product category, the PC-based application launches a network-based tool, which may be running locally on a user&#39;s PC that leads the user through product selection, configuration, and ordering. The network-based tool receives specification information from the user and compares the received product specification information with pre-stored product information. If at least one product matches the received product specification information, the pre-stored product information is saved to the PC-based program for communication to the user.  
           [0006]    The product information may include, for example, features of the product and accessories of the product. The method further includes validating configuration compatibility based on product information data and features of the product to determine whether a resulting product is capable of desired performance for a set of given product parameters.  
           [0007]    When a product has been selected, the system then requests information from the user that will allow configuration of the product to meet a user&#39;s needs. When the user completes product selection and configuration and indicates a desire to submit the order, the system saves to the PC-based application a copy of the bill of material that has been submitted. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a system block diagram in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is an expanded version block diagram of a server architecture of a system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method for integrating a network-based tool with a personal computer-based application;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 is an exemplary main screen page of a PC-based application;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 5 is an exemplary configuration page of a PC-based application;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 6 is an exemplary configuration page of a network-based tool, which may be running locally on a user&#39;s PC;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 7 is an exemplary information page of a network-based tool; and  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 8 is an exemplary PC-based application page after transfer of data from a network-based tool. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. System  10  includes a plurality of user devices  14  with at least two connected to each other. In one embodiment, devices  14  are computers including a web browser, and at least two devices  14 , a first device  14  and a second device  14 , are accessible to each other via a network such as an intranet or the Internet. In an alternative embodiment, devices  14  are servers for a network of devices.  
         [0017]    Devices  14  are interconnected to the network, such as a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), through many interfaces including dial-in-connections, cable modems and high-speed ISDN lines. Alternatively, devices  14  are any device capable of interconnecting to a network including a network-based phone or other network-based connectable equipment. In one embodiment, centralized database  18  is stored on first device  14 .  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is an expanded version block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a server architecture of a system  22 . System  22  includes server sub-system  12  and user devices  14 . Server sub-system  12  includes database server  16 , an application server  24 , a web server  26 , a fax server  28 , a directory server  30 , and a mail server  32 . A disk storage unit  34  is coupled to database server  16  and directory server  30 . Servers  16 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and  32  are coupled in a local area network (LAN)  36 . In addition, a system administrator workstation  38 , a user workstation  40 , and a supervisor workstation  42  are coupled to LAN  36 . Alternatively, workstations  38 ,  40 , and  42  are coupled to LAN  36  via an Internet link or are connected through an intranet.  
         [0019]    Each workstation  38 ,  40 , and  42  is a personal computer having a web browser. Although the functions performed at the workstations typically are illustrated as being performed at respective workstations  38 ,  40 , and  42 , such functions can be performed at one of many personal computers coupled to LAN  36 . Workstations  38 ,  40 , and  42  are illustrated as being associated with separate functions only to facilitate an understanding of the different types of functions that can be performed by individuals having access to LAN  36 .  
         [0020]    In another embodiment, server sub-system  12  is configured to be communicatively coupled to various individuals or employees  44  and to third parties, e.g., users,  46  via an ISP Internet connection  48 . The communication in the exemplary embodiment is illustrated as being performed via the Internet, however, any other wide area network (WAN) type communication can be utilized in other embodiments, i.e., the systems and processes are not limited to being practiced via the Internet. In addition, and rather than a WAN  50 , local area network  36  could be used in place of WAN  50 .  
         [0021]    In the exemplary embodiment, any employee  44  or user  46  having a workstation  52  can access server sub-system  12 . One of user devices  14  includes a workstation  54  located at a remote location. Workstations  52  and  54  are personal computers having a web browser. Also, workstations  52  and  54  are configured to communicate with server sub-system  12 . Furthermore, fax server  28  communicates with employees  44  and users  46  located outside the business entity and any of the remotely located user systems, including a user system  56  via a telephone link. Fax server  28  is configured to communicate with other workstations  38 ,  40 , and  42  as well.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is a flow diagram  70  for a method for integrating a PC-based application with a network-based tool. In one exemplary embodiment, the product selection includes electrical equipment, and in particular safety switches. In other embodiments, the product selection involves selection of NEMA controls, safety switches, load centers, modular metering, panel boards, switch boards, motor control centers, load interrupter switches, busways, low voltage switchgear, power break switch boards, miscellaneous items, standard drive/drive panels, wall-mounted transient voltage surge suppressors, three-phase pad mounted transformers, liquid-filled transformers, vent dry transformers, cast coil transformers, and neutral grounding resistors. System  10  (shown in FIG. 1) receives  72  product specification information from a user. In one embodiment, the user inputs the information into a device (such as device  14  shown in FIG. 1) that transmits the information to a server (such as server  12  shown in FIG. 1). In another embodiment, the user inputs the information into a device (such as one of the devices  14  shown in FIG. 1) and processes the information on the same device (one of the devices  14 ). The product specification information is received from the user via a graphical user interface as will be described in greater detail below.  
         [0023]    In the exemplary embodiment including selection of safety switches, the received product specification information includes a specification of the switch type, the voltage, the fuse type, the number of polls, the number of wires, the amperage, the type of enclosure.  
         [0024]    An application running on one of the devices  14  compares  74  the received safety switch-related requirements to pre-stored information in database  18 . The pre-stored information includes various types and configurations of safety switch related information. One of the devices  14  compares the user provided information to the pre-stored information to determine if any pre-stored safety switch information contained in the database satisfy the product specifications/requirements submitted by the user.  
         [0025]    In addition, one of the devices  14  assesses the information supplied by the user to validate configuration compatibility of the product. Exemplary information includes product application, product parameters, desired product features, and product accessories. System  10  evaluates the information supplied by the user and determines whether a resulting product incorporating a safety switch having the received product specifications is capable of meeting parameters of the indicated product. For example, system  10  determines whether a selected safety switch with a given requirement is available to satisfy the user, and, if the selected safety switch with a given requirement is not available, system  10  displays a message to the user that the safety switch with the required product characteristics is not available and that the user should select an alternative product. In summary, system  10  reviews the user input and based on a pre-determined safety switch configuration as well as operating specifications, the user is provided feedback for a specific safety switch that meets the criteria for the user application.  
         [0026]    If the product resulting from the received information does not meet the parameters of the product, system  10  guides a user by providing suggestions for a correct product configuration. In an alternative embodiment, system  10  guides a user by providing information regarding alternative products compatible with the product parameters supplied by the user. In a further alternative embodiment, system  10  guides a user by providing information regarding products that are upgrades for the product parameters supplied by the user.  
         [0027]    System  10  then identifies pre-stored safety switch information that matches the information entered by the user and selects  76  safety switch configurations from the pre-stored information. System  10  retrieves  78  information pertaining to the selected safety switch configuration. In one embodiment, the safety switch information includes a safety switch identifier number and associated price for each selected safety switch configuration. For example, the safety switch identifier number is a catalog number and the price is a list price of the product. One of the devices  14  then transmits the retrieved identifier number and associated price and downloads the retrieved safety switch information to a second device  14  for display  80  so that the user can view the information. In an alternative embodiment, system  10  uses the list price information to generate a quotation for each selected safety switch configuration including the indicated features and accessories and first device  14  then transmits the retrieved safety switch identifier number and the quotation to second device  14 .  
         [0028]    System  10  then prompts the user to order one or more of the selected products. If the user is a registered user, system  10  accepts orders online by providing the user a purchase order form and receiving the completed purchase order form from the user. The completed purchase order form is then authenticated against predetermined criteria to determine whether system  10  should accept the completed purchase order form. If the purchase order form is accepted, the ordered product is then shipped to the user.  
         [0029]    If the user is an unregistered user, and the user attempts to order a selected product, system  10  transmits a notification to the user indicating that a sales person or an authorized distributor will contact the user to confirm the order request. System  10  then transmits a notification, such as via email, to a selected person. The selected person then checks the order and instructs system  10  to transmit the order to a field sales regional manager or district manager. The field sales manager then follows-up with the lead or forwards the lead to a distributor with instructions to follow-up with the user that submitted the order.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a PC-based application for ordering products, in this case safety switches, as depicted in screen shot  81 . Screen shot  81  includes a window  82  of a PC-based application having an Add Item toolbar entry, selection of which displays a pull down menu  84  that includes a Safety Switches selection.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a PC-based application for selecting and configuring products, in this case safety switches, as depicted in screen shot  90 . Screen shot  90  includes a Parametric Entry data area  92 , where a specification can be made of the quantity, the marks, the catalog number, the duty, the voltage, the fusing, the number of poles, the number of wires, the amperage, the enclosure type, and whether a viewing window is desired in a safety switch. Screen shot  90  also includes an Item Details display area  94  that includes text boxes that display the catalog number, description, lead time, weight, height, width, depth, accessories, and unit price of the selected product, as well as an Accessories radio button for selection of accessories for a safety switch. Screen shot  90  also includes a Finish radio button  96 , and an Exit radio button  98 .  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a network-based tool page for product selection and configuration that is functionally connected with the PC-based application for selecting and ordering products, in this exemplary embodiment safety switches, as depicted in screen shot  100 . Product specification information entered on the page shown in FIG. 4 is transmitted from the PC-based application to the network-based application to yield the page shown in screen shot  100 . Screen shot  100  includes a Features tab  102 , and an Accessories tab  104 . Screen shot  100  results from selection of Features tab  102 , and includes a product configuration area  106  with pull down menus for specifying a current rating, a voltage rating, the number of polls, the switch type, the enclosure type, and the number of wires, as well as a check box to indicate whether a fuse is desired. Screen shot  100  also includes a recommendation display area  108  that displays product specifications, including in one embodiment the catalog number and list price of the recommended product. Screen shot  100  further includes an Add to Bill of Material radio button  110 , a Close radio button  112 , and a Features and Benefits display area  114 .  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a network-based page that may be running locally on a user&#39;s PC for selecting and configuring products, as depicted in screen shot  120 . Selection by the user of Add to Bill of Material radio button  110  results in display of screen shot  120 , that includes a message display box  122  informing the user that information relating to the selected item is being saved.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of a PC-based application window that results from saving from the network-based tool, which may be running locally on a user&#39;s PC to the PC-based application of the information relating to the item selected in FIG. 7, as depicted in screen shot  130 . Screen shot  130  includes a product entry  132  that specifies a previously selected product. Screen shot  130  also includes a product specification information area  134  that displays information about the selected product or products, including in one embodiment the item number, the quantity, a description, a unit price, and the total price.  
         [0035]    System  10  facilitates an easy and efficient method for integrating a PC-based applications with a network-based tool running locally on a user&#39;s PC for selecting and configuring products. While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.