System and Method for Facilitating Managing a Job

US7117162B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• William M. Seal · Chelsea, US
• Terry Small · Indianapolis, US
• Carol A. Brechtel · Baton Rouge, US
• Gail W. Deaton · Hampton, US
• Ronnie M. Cochran · Martin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 11, 1998
• Grant date: Oct 3, 2006
• Expiry date: Sep 11, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q10/1097
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An outside Plant Construction Management (OSPCM) system simplifies and mechanizes many aspects of operating a facility, such as a Regional Bell Operating Company (RBOC). The OSPCM system performs a configuration function and this data is input to the awarded contract which entails breaking the job into its constituent tasks, sequencing the tasks, prioritizing the tasks, and scheduling the tasks. The OSPCM system completes the scheduling task by assigning the tasks to supervisors and/or to outside contractors. The OSPCM system automatically manages the materials required for tasks by determining what and when it is needed, ordering what is available from within inventory, and ordering necessary materials from outside providers. When a task is completed, the contractor accesses the OSPCM system and marks the task as completed. The OSPCM system then forwards invoices to the voucher system for those cases where work is completed as designed.