Patent Document ID: 9720958
Application ID: 14523244
Patent Status: 1

Claim One:
1. A method of aggregating business data, the method comprising the steps of: a computer receiving, from a user, columns, attributes of the columns, and keys of a dataset of a database, the keys being unique identifiers of records in the dataset, and the dataset not being initially cross-linked to any dataset included in a central hub of a plurality of datasets, each dataset including data that is independently and locally maintained; based on the received columns, attributes, and keys of the dataset, the computer registering the dataset so that the dataset is included in the central hub; the computer loading initial data or updated data into the dataset in the central hub; the computer determining and displaying other datasets included in the central hub that include columns, attributes, or keys that match the received columns, attributes, or keys, respectively; the computer receiving from the user a selection of one or more of the displayed datasets; in response to the step of receiving the selection, the computer automatically generating cross-links between the dataset and each of the one or more datasets selected from the displayed datasets, the cross-links based at least in part on the columns, attributes, or keys of the displayed datasets that match the received columns, attributes or keys, and the cross-links providing an aggregation of business data in the dataset and the one or more datasets; the computer displaying the plurality of datasets which are preconfigured and included in the central hub and in response, receiving from the user or another user a selection of the dataset from the displayed plurality of datasets; the computer receiving from the user or the other user a modification of the records in the dataset, the modification of the records including at least one of (1) an addition of a record to the dataset, (2) a deletion of a record from the dataset, and (3) a change of a value of an attribute included in a record in the dataset; based on the modification of the records, the computer generating an alternate version of the dataset that includes the modification of the records; the computer storing the alternate version of the dataset in association with the dataset; based on the alternate version being stored in association with the dataset and in response to an interaction with the central hub by a second user, the computer initiating a sharing of the alternate version with the second user by displaying the dataset and the alternate version of the dataset as a potential selection by the second user, the second user being different from the user; the computer receiving from the second user a selection of the displayed dataset or the displayed alternate version of the dataset; and based on the selection received from the second user, the computer performing an analysis of data in the dataset or the alternate version of the dataset.