Gathering and disseminating quality performance and audit activity data in an extended enterprise environment

Abstract

A method for facilitating supplier auditing functions in a communications network environment is disclosed. The method includes receiving a request from a user system of an enterprise system to initiate an activity. The activity includes assessing a supplier record for determining a need to schedule a supplier audit, and scheduling the audit for performing an initial or ongoing qualification of an existing or prospective trading partner of the enterprise system. Assessing the supplier record includes reviewing past audit activity, date of last audit, and results of past audits. The enterprise system retrieves data from at least one database, which corresponds to the request. The enterprise system includes a quality information network application for executing activity options that include the activity requested by the user system.

1 . A method for facilitating supplier auditing functions in a communications network environment, comprising:
 receiving a request from a user system of an enterprise system to initiate an activity, said activity including assessing a supplier record for determining a need to schedule a supplier audit, and scheduling the audit for performing an initial or ongoing qualification of an existing or prospective trading partner of the enterprise system;
 wherein said assessing said supplier record includes reviewing: 
 past audit activity; 
 date of last audit; and 
 results of past audits; and 
 said enterprise system retrieving data from at least one database, said data corresponding to said request; 
   wherein further said enterprise system includes a quality information network application for executing activity options that include the activity requested by the user system.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said scheduling said audit includes:
 entering supplier data relating to the trading partner into a schedule form;   entering requester information into said schedule form;   selecting an auditor to perform said audit;   entering a purpose for said audit;   entering a time frame for performing said audit; and   distributing a completed schedule form to at least one entity;   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said distributing said completed schedule form is automatically performed by said quality information network application via a distribution list. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said distributing said completed schedule form is manually performed by said requester via a distribution list provided by said requester. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said selecting said auditor by said requester includes selection criteria including:
 geographic location of site to be audited;   auditing skills possessed by said auditor;   a commodity subject to said audit; and   auditor pre-qualification data.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 automatically transmitting a notice to said auditor;   
       receiving a response to the notice from said auditor by said requester, wherein said response is either a confirmation notice or a rejection notice. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said requester initiates a second auditor selection, based upon receiving said rejection notice. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said entering said time frame for performing said audit includes:
 entering a date planned for said audit; and   entering a quarter planned for said audit.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said requester is a divisional user comprising at least one of an engineer and developer of the enterprise system, the divisional user requesting an audit of a trading partner that corresponds with an engineering or developer group to which the divisional user belongs. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said activity includes viewing a scheduled audit. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said viewing said scheduled audit includes viewing by categories, said categories including:
 all audits;   completed audits; and   planned audits.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said viewing said scheduled audit includes viewing by:
 trading partner;   region;   quarter by region by commodity;   year by quarter;   product category;   requester;   auditor;   organization; and   site owner.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said activity includes viewing training data. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said training data includes:
 lectures;   seminars;   classes; and   resource materials.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said activity includes viewing reference data, said reference data including:
 industry standards;   government standards; and   proprietor-imposed standards.