Method and apparatus for managing sales data

Abstract

A method and apparatus for managing sales data. One embodiment is a software application that assists in classification, review and approval of data to be stored in a database for the use of a product supplier or seller. In one embodiment, a method includes storing a plurality of data components as groups of data components in a database, wherein the plurality of data components comprises information relating to products, and information relating to customers. The method further includes assigning a subset of the plurality of users to a content review group (“CRG”), and notifying each user in the CRG to provide input regarding individual data components of a group of data components. Input may include indicating whether data components are accurate, entering comments regarding the data components, entering edits to the data components. The method further includes receiving and storing the input, notifying a content director (“CD”) to review the input. Review may include editing the comments entered, deleting the comments entered, and consolidating the input. At least one of the data components is staged to be stored in a central database, based upon the review.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for managing sales data, comprising: 
 storing a plurality of data components as groups of data components in a database, wherein the plurality of data components comprises information relating to products, and information relating to customers;    assigning a subset of the plurality of users to a content review group (“CRG”);    notifying each user in the CRG to provide input regarding individual data components of a group of data components, wherein the input comprises, 
 indicating whether data components are accurate;  
 entering comments regarding the data components; and  
 entering edits to the data components;  
   receiving and storing the input;    notifying a content director (“CD”) to review the input, wherein the review comprises, 
 editing the comments entered;  
 deleting the comments entered; and  
 consolidating the input; and  
   staging at least one of the data components to be stored in a central database, based upon the review.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein notifying each user in the CRG comprises: 
 setting an active group flag for a CRG that is designated to participate in review; setting an active data component group flag for a data component group that is to be reviewed; and    transmitting an electronic mail (“e-mail”) to each user in the CRG having the active group flag set, wherein the e-mail requests each user to participate in reviewing the data component group having the active data component flag set.    
     
     
         3 . A system for collecting and managing sales data, comprising: 
 a central database that stores information relating to a plurality of products available from a plurality of suppliers, wherein the information is input by a plurality of users and is stored as data component groups;    at least one World Wide Web server (“Web server”);    a plurality of processors, at least one of which stores an authoring application, comprising, 
 an administrative module; and  
 a server component, wherein the server component periodically polls the central database to determine when to notify content review group (“CRG”) members requesting review of a data component group; and  
 hypertext markup language (“HTML”) pages that display data components of the data component group, and receive review input from the CRG members.