Product catalog management system and method

Abstract

A product catalog management system and method is provided for managing product data associated with a plurality of products. In one embodiment, the system comprises a processor, a product information database for storing product data associated with a plurality of products therein, a workflow design module for allowing creation of a workflow diagram for processing product data for storage in the product information database. The product catalog management system also includes a task management module that facilitates generation of a plurality of tasks for processing product data according to the workflow diagram, and a task assignment module adapted to assign the generated task for processing product data for completion.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 739,896, filed Nov. 28, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention is directed to systems and methods for managing an electronic product catalog. In particular, the present invention is directed to such a system and method that utilizes product templates, facilitates creation of a workflow to process product data, and allows generation and remote assignment of tasks to process such product data. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Various on-line services and merchants provide on-line catalogs that allow users to obtain information regarding many different types of products and / or purchase these from various different product categories. For example, on-line merchants such as www.amazon.com™ provide various tabs for categories of products in their catalog including tabs for books, appare...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a product catalog management system and method that facilitates the acquisition and management of product data associated with a plurality of products. The system includes a processor, a product information database, and a task management module that allows for the creation and assignment of tasks for processing product data. The system also includes an interface module for creating and accessing the workflow diagram for processing product data, as well as a tools module for normalizing product templates and calculating values for product data. The system can also include an analyst database with qualification information for assigning tasks to analysts. The technical effects of the invention include reducing labor costs associated with acquiring and managing product data, providing a more efficient and streamlined process for managing product data, and improving the efficiency and accuracy of product data processing.

Problems solved by technology

However, the vast number of manufacturers and models available for each product category, and the disparity in features and / or attributes between the products of a product category pose various problems in implementing an electronic product catalog.

In particular, the vast number of products and models makes proper categorization and storage of product data in the product database very difficult.

Acquisition of the product data itself becomes extremely difficult, requiring many man-hours to acquire the product data for entry into the product database.

Because of the knowledge required for such acquisition of the product data, labor rates for such individuals are high, increasing the cost required to acquire the product data.

Moreover, such databases are very complicated and cumbersome to use, with very little flexibility in terms of allowing for acquisition and management of the product data in the product database.

However, as evident from examination of Povilus, such systems are complicated, inflexible, and cumbersome to implement and use.

Therefore, there exists an unfulfilled need for a product catalog management system and method that facilitates acquisition and management of the product data in the product database.

There also exists an unfulfilled need for such a product catalog management system and method that reduces the labor costs associated with acquisition of the product data as compared to prior art systems and methods.

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