Patent ID: 7213058

Claim:
A method in a system for processing and managing requests for collocation space, the system comprising a workstation, a computer network, a web server, an application server, and a database, said method for assisting a user in completing an application for collocation space, comprising: (A) obtaining user information regarding a location and physical characteristics of the collocation space and equipment to be installed therein, the collocation space comprising a physical space allocated for equipment belonging to a plurality of communications entities, wherein the user information about the location and physical characteristics comprises at least one of the following: physical space square footage information, physical space type and existing physical space information; (B) calculating a total width using the user information; (C) calculating heat dissipation and equipment quantity using the user information: (D) setting data field values of the application based on the information provided by the user and the calculation based on width, heat dissipation and equipment quantity, the application comprising a form for receiving the information provided by the user; (E) allowing a proposed layout of the equipment for the collocation space or other documents to be associated with and attached to the application, wherein said proposed layout is based on space requirements associated with the equipment; (F) prompting submission of the application; (G) if the user has submitted invalid or incomplete information, presenting the user with an error message and advising the user of a source of any error; and (H) providing confirmation of successful submission of the application.