Patent ID: 7558784

Claim:
A real-time collection and analysis computer implemented system configured for use with a first client and a second client, the system comprising: an analysis server coupled to the first client, the analysis server including a centralized OLAP cube that provides collection and analysis of forecast data in real-time and the committing of changes and collaborative communication in real-time; and a first customer database of information coupled to the analysis server and to the OLAP cube to receive essentially real-time updates of forecast data from said first client, the first customer database is to embody forecast data and to receive essentially real-time updates to the forecast data, wherein the forecast data includes at least one estimated forecast value; the first customer database is dedicated to use by a first set of selected identified users belonging to the first customer of the system; an identification database and identification server coupled to the first client and coupled to the first customer database, the identification database and identification server configured to identify and authenticate the first set of selected identified users and the customer to which they belong, the identification and authentication facilitating an understanding of data contributed by and entering the system from the first customer wherein updates from a first set of selected identified users is directed to the first customer database; the system is configured to support a multi-tenant environment including the first client and the first customer database of information and the second client and a second customer database of information; the second client coupled to the identification server and identification database and to the analysis server; and the second customer database of information coupled to the identification server and identification database and the analysis server, the second customer database dedicated to use by a second set of users of the system, the identification server and identification database further configured to authenticate the second set of users and the second customer to which they belong, the identification and authentication facilitating an understanding of data contributed by and entering the system from the second customer wherein updates from a second set of users is directed to the second customer database.