System and method for providing selective data access and workflow in a network environment

Abstract

A method for managing and selectively sharing multiples sets of information to be used in a plurality of projects is disclosed. Each set of information is created, revised and controlled by separate entities. The method is executed in a computer system where at least one first set of information and at least one second set of information is received from at least a first entity. A second entity is permitted to retrieve, use and/or revise the first set of information, while at the same time the second entity is prohibited from retrieving, using and/or revising of the second set of information. At least one third set of information and at least one fourth set of information are received from the second entity. The first entity is permitted to retrieve, use and/or revise the third set of information, while the first entity is prohibited from at least one of retrieving, using or revising of the fourth set of information.

1 - 50 . Cancelled.  
     
     
         51 . A programmed computer system for managing and selectively sharing multiple sets of information in a network environment comprising: 
 at least one client device  100  comprising at least one or more personal computers, network appliances, laptop and palm computers;    the client device  100  including a user interface  102  which sends information to and receives information from a connection device  110 ;    the connection device  110  comprising at least one or more routers, switches and domain name servers;    the connection device  110  including a network  112  which sends and receives information from an interface server  120 ;    the interface server  120  including a request/response handling system  122  which sends and receives information from an application server  130 ;    the application server  130  comprising a data and security validation system  132  which receives information from the request/response handling system  122 ;    the data and security validation system  132  sending and receiving information from a business ruling processing system  134 ;    the data and security validation system  132  also sending information to an interface assembly  136  which, in turn, sends information to an interface assembly  136  which, in turn, sends information to the request/response handling system  122 ; and    the business rule processing system  134  sending and receiving information from a database server  140 , which comprises at least one or more tables, views and triggers  142 ,    wherein multiple sets of information are received, stored and analyzed from multiple entities, and allowing each entity to control whether the other entities can retrieve, use and/or revise the stored sets of information.    
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 51 , in which analyzing of the information further includes updating a status of each set of information, and send the status of each updated set of information to each entity that is capable of retrieving, using and/or revising the updated set of information.  
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 52 , in which the analyzing of the information is performed using a predetermined and customizable path.  
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 51 , further including allowing each entity to grant permissions to other entities to receive, store and/or analyze the sets of information under the control of each entity.  
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 54 , in which at least a first entity is a member of a first organization and at least second entity is a member of a second organization that is different from the first organization.  
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 51 , in which the receiving, analyzing and storing of the multiple sets of information are performed on a network computer.  
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 51 , in which the receiving, analyzing and storing of the multiple sets of information are performed with a computer code operating on a suitable database.  
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 57 , in which the computer code is written in a language comprising Visual Basic, C++ or Java.  
     
     
         59 . A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the system recited in  claim 51 .  
     
     
         60 . A method for managing and selectively sharing multiple sets of information to be used in a plurality of projects, each set of information being created, revised and controlled by separate entities, the method executed in a computer system, said method comprising 
 receiving, storing, and analyzing in one instance of a database at least one first set of information from at least a first entity, the first set of information capable of being retrievable, usable and revisable by the first entity;    allowing the first entity to control whether at least one second entity can access the first set of information, and allowing the first entity to control whether the second entity can retrieve, use and/or revise the first set of information;    receiving, storing, and analyzing in the database at least one second set of information from the first entity, the second set of information capable of being retrieved, used and revised only by the first entity;    receiving, storing, and analyzing in the database at least one third set of information from the second entity; the third set of information capable of being retrieved, used and revised by the second entity;    allowing the second entity to control whether at least the first entity can access the third set of information and allowing the second entity to control whether the first entity can retrieve, use and/or revise the second set of information; and    receiving, storing and analyzing in the database at least one fourth set of information capable of being retrieved, used and revised only by the second entity,    wherein the method supports the ability for all entities to co-exist on the single instance of the database such that each entity owns and controls only their set of information within the database; in which multiple sets of information are received, stored and analyzed from multiple entities, and allowing each entity to control whether the other entities can retrieve, use and/or revise the stored sets of information, and in which analyzing of the information further includes updating a status of each set of information, and sending the status of, each updated set of information to each entity that is capable of retrieving, using and/or revising the updated set of information;    the method further comprising    distributing a software program for which controls access to the sets of information for use in a plurality of projects, each set of information being created, revised and controlled by separate entities,    allowing distribution of the software program to separate entities as a subscription service, and    operating the software program on one central server from which any number of the separate entities can log in and use the software program.    
     
     
         61 . A method for one or more entities for managing multiple projects and selectively sharing information comprising allowing at least one entity to self-host by purchasing and installing its own copy of a software program on its own servers, the software program comprising a software program for a multiple project managing system which controls access to multiple sets of information for use in a plurality of projects, each set of information being created, revised and controlled by separate entities, the software program comprising instructions for causing a computer to: 
 receive, store, and analyze in a single instance of a database at least one first set of information from at least a first entity using an electronic user interface, the first set of information being capable of being retrievable, usable and revisable by the first entity;    allow the first entity to control whether at least one second entity can access the first set of information;    allow the first entity to control whether the at least one second entity can retrieve, use and/or revise the first set of information;    receive, store and analyze in the database at least one second set of information from the first entity, the second set of information being capable of being retrieved, used and revised only by the first entity;    receive, store, and analyze in the database at least one third set of information from the second entity; the third set of information being capable of being retrieved, used and revised by the second entity;    allow the second entity to control whether at least the first entity can access the third set of information;    allow the second entity to control whether the first entity can retrieve, use and/or revise the second set of information; and    receive, store and analyze in the database at least one fourth set of information from the second entity, the fourth set of information being capable of being retrieved, used and revised only by the second entity, wherein the software program supports the ability for all entities to co-exist on the single instance of the database such that each entity owns and controls only their set of information within the database; in which multiple sets of information are received, stored and analyzed from multiple entities, and allowing each entity to control whether the other entities can retrieve, use and/or revise the stored sets of information, and in which analyzing of the information further includes updating a status of each set of information, and sending the status of each updated set of information to each entity that is capable of retrieving, using and/or revising the updated set of information;    the method allowing the entity direct control over physical security and access to the database such that performance and response time of the software is dramatically increased when run over the entity's LAN as opposed to over the Internet,    whereby, since the entity has direct access to the database, the self-hosting providing a variety of opportunities for custom solutions that integrate data and processes from the software with that of other systems, including accounting, human resources, inventory, manufacturing, and the like.    
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , in which at least two or more self-hosted servers communicate with the central server, and further comprising 
 making the central server aware of the self-hosted server's location as well as providing the central server with an index of information and security permissions that are on the self-hosted server; the index of information and security permissions allowing the central server to know about the information and security permissions available on any given self-hosted server without actually storing the information and security permissions itself, thereby allowing each entity's accounts operating on the central server to share any desired amount of information with any number of desired entity's accounts on any self-hosted server and vice versa.    
     
     
         63 . A method for managing and selectively sharing multiple sets of information to be used in a plurality of projects, each set of information being created, revised and controlled by separate entitles, the method executed in a computer system using suitable hardware comprising dedicated modules to carry out each function and causing the computer system to: 
 receive, store, and analyze in a single instance of a database at least one first set of information from at least a first entity using an electronic user interface, the first set of information being capable of being retrievable, usable and revisable by the first entity;    allow the first entity to control whether at least one second entity can access the first set of information;    allow the first entity to control whether the at least one second entity can retrieve, use and/or revise the first set of information;    receive, store and analyze in the database at least one second set of information from the first entity, the second set of information being capable of being retrieved, used and revised only by the first entity;    receive, store, and analyze in the database at least one third set of information from the second entity; the third set of information being capable of being retrieved, used and revised by the second entity;    allow the second entity to control whether at least the first entity can access the third set of information;    allow the second entity to control whether the first entity can retrieve, use and/or revise the second set of information; and    receive, store and analyze in the database at least one fourth set of information from the second entity, the fourth set of information being capable of being retrieved, used and revised only by the second entity, wherein the software program supports the ability for all entities to co-exist on the single instance of the database such that each entity owns and controls only their set of information within the database; in which multiple sets of information are received, stored and analyzed from multiple entities, and allowing each entity to control whether the other entities can retrieve, use and/or revise the stored sets of information, and in which analyzing of the information further includes updating a status of each set of information, and sending the status of each updated set of information to each entity that is capable of retrieving, using and/or revising the updated set of information.    
     
     
         64 . A method for managing and selectively sharing multiple sets of information to be used in a plurality of projects, each set of information being created, revised and controlled by separate entities, the method executed in a computer system, said method comprising 
 receiving, storing, and analyzing in one instance of a database at least one first set of information from at least a first entity, the first set of information capable of being retrievable, usable and revisable by the first entity;    allowing the first entity to control whether at least one second entity can access the first set of information, and allowing the first entity to control whether the second entity can retrieve, use and/or revise the first set of information;    receiving, storing, and analyzing in the database at least one second set of information from the first entity, the second set of information capable of being retrieved, used and revised only by the first entity;    receiving, storing, and analyzing in the database at least one third set of information from the second entity; the third set of information capable of being retrieved, used and revised by the second entity;    allowing the second entity to control whether at least the first entity can access the third set of information and allowing the second entity to control whether the first entity can retrieve, use and/or revise the second set of information; and    receiving, storing and analyzing in the database at least one fourth set of information capable of being retrieved, used and revised only by the second entity,    wherein the method supports the ability for all entities to co-exist on the single instance of the database such that each entity owns and controls only their set of information within the database, in which multiple sets of information are received, stored and analyzed from multiple entities, and allowing each entity to control whether the other entities can retrieve, use and/or revise the stored sets of information, and in which analyzing of the information further includes updating a status of each set of information, and sending the status of each updated set of information to each entity that is capable of retrieving, using and/or revising the updated set of information; and    wherein the method provides an online workflow management where at least one “workflow” item is routed from entity to entity, online, creating work processes that generally involve at least one of an approval, a comment or a response, thereby allowing the workflow management to be executed across boundaries of the entities' accounts.    
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the at least one workflow item comprises at least one set of information, the least one set of information being selected from the group including Requests for Information (RFIs), Drawing, Specifications, Submittals, Transmittals and the like, such that at least one individual and/or at least one entity can request additional information and/or clarification of existing sets of information from at least one other individual and/or at least one other entity.  
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , where the workflow management occurs in the construction industry and the at least one set of information is shared between at least one of a subcontractor to a general contractor, a general contractor to at least one architect, an architect to at least one owner, and vice versa.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , in which the at least one set of information is created by a general contractor, and wherein, after completing a request portion in the at least one set of information, the general contractor submits the at least one set of information, online, to the architect, whereby in addition to appearing in the at least one set of information application module, the at least one set of information also appears in the architect's Inbox, thereby allowing the architect to complete the response portion of the at least one set of information online and allowing this workflow process to be executed across boundaries of the entities' accounts.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 64 , in which, when any workflow item is created, the workflow is assigned a “workflow path” which can be created and modified by each entity, wherein the workflow path serves to shepherd the workflow item through at least one workflow step, the workflow path allowing for the enforcing of desired policies for each step, including what actions entities can take and what other entities are acceptable recipients of the workflow item.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68 , in which at least one workflow path for at least one set of information is created in which an individual from either a subcontractor's or general contractor's account creates the at least one set of information and the workflow path requires that the RFI be sent only to certain individuals in the general contractor's account; 
 the workflow path allowing the individuals from the general contractor's account to complete the response portion of the at least one set of information, or send the at least one set of information to certain individuals in another entity's account for a response.    
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 68 , in which at least one workflow path for at least one set of information is created in which an individual from a general contractor's account creates the at least one set of information, whereby the workflow path allowing the individual to be able to send the at least one set of information to certain individuals from another entity's account for a response.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein one entity can apply security permissions against entities from other accounts, and wherein one account can include entities from other accounts as potential recipients of workflow items.  
     
     
         72 . A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for managing and selectively sharing information in a single instance of a multi-user network environment of the type having at least one database server with at least one file directed for selective shared usage, and multiple entitles interconnected through the database server through a network link, each entity creating at least one set of information and controlling access by other entities to at least one subset of that information, the method comprising 
 receiving at least one first set of information and at least one second set of information from at least a first entity using at least one electronic user interface;    storing the first and the second sets of information in a database;    allowing at least a second entity to retrieve, use and/or revise the first set of information, while prohibiting the second entity from at least one of the retrieving, using or revising of the second set of information;    receiving at least one third set of information and at least one fourth set of information from the second entity using at least one electronic user interface;    storing the third and the fourth sets of information in the database; and    allowing the first entity to retrieve, use and/or revise the third set of information, while prohibiting the first entity from at least one of retrieving, using or revising of the fourth set of information, wherein the method supports the ability for all entities to co-exist on the single instance of the database such that each entity owns and controls only their set of information within the database, in which multiple sets of information are received, stored and analyzed from multiple entities, and allowing each entity to control whether the other entities can retrieve, use and/or revise the stored sets of information, and in which analyzing of the information further includes updating a status of each set of information, and sending the status of, each updated set of information to each entity that is capable of retrieving, using and/or revising the updated set of information,    wherein, the computer-executable instructions provide a navigational screen which can be accessed by an icon button on a main screen, the navigational screen showing all application modules to which an entity has been granted at least permission to view by any account,    the application modules being grouped by accounts from which they are published,    the application modules and accounts associated with a project being selected in a project selection list whereby, each time a different project is selected from the project selection list, the entity's security permissions are re-evaluated throughout all accounts in the system and a new layout of application modules and containers are displayed on the navigational screen pertaining to the newly selected project; and    whereby, when the entity clicks an application module on the navigational screen with a mouse or other pointing device, the navigational screen disappears and causes the main screen to switch either, or both, the project and publishing account, ultimately displaying the information for the application module that the entity selected.    
     
     
         73 . A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for managing and selectively sharing information in a single instance of a multi-user network environment of the type having at least one database server with at least one file directed for selective shared usage, and multiple entitles interconnected through the database server through a network link, each entity creating at least one set of information and controlling access by other entities to at least one subset of that information, the method comprising 
 receiving at least one first set of information and at least one second set of information from at least a first entity using at least one electronic user interface;    storing the first and the second sets of information in a database allowing at least a second entity to retrieve, use and/or revise the first set of information, while prohibiting the second entity from at least one of the retrieving, using or revising of the second set of information;    receiving at least one third set of information and at least one fourth set of information from the second entity using at least one electronic user interface;    storing the third and the fourth sets of information in the database; and    allowing the first entity to retrieve, use and/or revise the third set of information, while prohibiting the first entity from at least one of retrieving, using or revising of the fourth set of information, wherein the method supports the ability for all entities to co-exist on the single instance of the database such that each entity owns and controls only their set of information within the database, in which multiple sets of information are received, stored and analyzed from multiple entities, and allowing each entity to control whether the other entities can retrieve, use and/or revise the stored sets of information, and in which analyzing of the information further includes updating a status of each set of information, and sending the status of, each updated set of information to each entity that is capable of retrieving, using and/or revising the updated set of information,    wherein the computer-executable instructions provide at least one data object which is represented in an entity interface by its own graphic icon and is manipulated or viewed by its own add/modify or read-only detail screen, the entity interface also providing a screen for each object on which a list of other objects can be attached, or cross referenced to that object.    
     
     
         74 . The computer medium of  claim 73 , wherein a first object from a first entity's account and a second object from a second entity's | account may be attached to a change order object of a third entity's account.  
     
     
         75 . The computer medium of  claim 74 , wherein at least one of the first, second and/or third objects is from different projects.  
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the at least one work flow item comprises a drawing application module capable of being viewed and/or revised, each revision in the drawings application module storing a CAD file of that drawing.  
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein at least one drawing viewer is integrated so that any revision can be viewed online and designated entities can create graphical sketches and blocks of text on top of the drawings, wherein multiple entities from multiple accounts can, given sufficient local and foreign permissions between the accounts, view drawings and share markups with each other.  
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the method allows for navigation of all of each entity's projects, provides a common location for each entity's projects, provides interface for all project information within each entity, and provides for the ability to aggregate and report on data across projects regardless of partnerships with other entities for any given project.  
     
     
         79 . A method for managing and selectively sharing multiple sets of information to be used in a plurality of projects, each set of information being created, revised and controlled by separate entities, the method executed in a computer system, said method comprising 
 receiving, storing, and analyzing in one instance of a database at least one first set of information from at least a first entity, the first set of information capable of being retrievable, usable and revisable by the first entity;    allowing the first entity to control whether at least one second entity can access the first set of information, and allowing the first entity to control whether the second entity can retrieve, use and/or revise the first set of information;    receiving, storing, and analyzing in the database at least one second set of information from the first entity, the second set of information capable of being retrieved, used and revised only by the first entity;    receiving, storing, and analyzing in the database at least one third set of information from the second entity; the third set of information capable of being retrieved, used and revised by the second entity;    allowing the second entity to control whether at least the first entity can access the third set of information and allowing the second entity to control whether the first entity can retrieve, use and/or revise the second set of information; and    receiving, storing and analyzing in the database at least one fourth set of information capable of being retrieved, used and revised only by the second entity,    wherein the method supports the ability for all entities to co-exist on the single instance of the database such that each entity owns and controls only their set of information within the database; in which multiple sets of information are received, stored and analyzed from multiple entities, and allowing each entity to control whether the other entities can retrieve, use and/or revise the stored sets of Page  16  of  18  information, and in which analyzing of the information further includes updating a status of each set of information, and sending the status of, each updated set of information to each entity that is capable of retrieving, using and/or revising the updated set of information;    the method further comprising:    granting security permission to various application modules from a groups' application module,    wherein the groups' application module comprises a listing of security groups;    each of which is capable of being created and named by users of the system within their entity's account, and is capable of being added to a security group, and    wherein security permissions are capable of being granted to the group, at which point the security permissions are inherited by the entities contained in the group.    
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein the entities are listed regardless of their organizational account, thereby allowing the inclusion of entities from other organizational accounts in the security groups and thus granting the ability to grant foreign permissions.