Service order system having staged databases which perform request validation and conflict recognition

Claim 1

A system for staging entry of customer service order data into mainframe databases, comprising: a client workstation for entering service order requests; a midrange server for accepting requests from a number of workstations; a midrange database connected to the midrange server for storing the request; the midrange server performing an initial validation of the request; a universal server connected to the midrange server and mainframe databases; a staging database connected to the universal server for storing an initially validated request; the universal server comparing customer data, acquired from the mainframe databases, against the request stored in the staging database, to determine if conflicts exist with other requests being processed, or with the customer's system; the request being posted to at least one of the mainframe databases upon conclusion of a favorable comparison by the universal server.

Claim 2

A system for staging entry of customer service order data into mainframe databases, comprising: a client workstation for entering service order requests; a midrange server for accepting requests from a number of workstations; a midrange database connected to the midrange server for storing the request; the midrange server performing an initial validation of the request; a universal server connected to the midrange server and mainframe databases; a staging database connected to the universal server for storing an initially validated request; the universal server comparing customer data, acquired from the mainframe databases, against the request stored in the staging database, to determine if conflicts exist with other requests being processed, or with the customer's system; the request being posted to at least one of the mainframe databases upon conclusion of a favorable comparison by the universal server.

Claim 4

A method for entering customer service order data into mainframe databases, comprising the steps: entering service order requests at a client workstation; accepting requests from a number of workstations at a midrange server; transferring requests from the midrange server to a midrange database for storing the request; performing an initial validation of the request at the midrange server; connecting a universal server to the midrange server and mainframe databases; storing an initially validated request in a staging database connected to the universal server; comparing customer data, acquired by the universal server from mainframe databases, against the request stored in the staging database, to determine if conflicts exist with other requests being processed, or with the customer's system; the request being posted to at least one of the mainframe databases upon conclusion of a favorable comparison by the universal server.

Claim 5

A method for entering customer service order data into mainframe databases, comprising the steps: entering service order requests at a client workstation; accepting requests from a number of workstations at a midrange server; transferring requests from the midrange server to a midrange database for storing the request; performing an initial validation of the request at the midrange server; connecting a universal server to the midrange server and mainframe databases; storing an initially validated request in a staging database connected to the universal server; comparing customer data, acquired by the universal server from mainframe databases, against the request stored in the staging database, to determine if conflicts exist with other requests being processed, or with the customer's system; the request being posted to at least one of the mainframe databases upon conclusion of a favorable comparison by the universal server.

Claim 6

A method for entering customer service order data into mainframe databases, comprising the steps: generating a service order request at a client workstation, connected together with other client workstations and controlled by a midrange server; evaluating whether the request is a new or modified request; evaluating whether the request is a duplication of one previously entered and being processed; terminating the request if it is a duplication; checking the request in the mainframe, in the event it is a modification of an existing service request, as to its initial validity; updating the midrange database with customer and service data from the mainframe databases, in the event the request is a modification of a previously uncompleted request and the request is initially valid; performing further validation of the request by comparing it to stored data in the midrange database to ensure completeness of the request and that no conflicts exist with other user requests; continually updating the midrange database with updated mainframe database data as a request is being built to ensure that data and service integrity are maintained; transferring the request to a staging database upon positive further validation; performing a final validation of the request by comparing it to stored data in the continually changing mainframe databases to ensure that no requests, for the same service, have been issued through the mainframe while the request was being staged; posting the request into the mainframe database; transmitting the status of the posted request to the midrange database along with preselected messages and warnings; and deleting the request from the midrange and staging database after the request is implemented.

Claim 7

A method for entering customer service order data into mainframe databases, comprising the steps: generating a service order request at a client workstation, connected together with other client workstations and controlled by a midrange server; evaluating whether the request is a new or modified request; evaluating whether the request is a duplication of one previously entered and being processed; terminating the request if it is a duplication; checking the request in the mainframe, in the event it is a modification of an existing service request, as to its initial validity; updating the midrange database with customer and service data from the mainframe databases, in the event the request is a modification of a previously uncompleted request and the request is initially valid; performing further validation of the request by comparing it to stored data in the midrange database to ensure completeness of the request and that no conflicts exist with other user requests; continually updating the midrange database with updated mainframe database data as a request is being built to ensure that data and service integrity are maintained; transferring the request to a staging database upon positive further validation; performing a final validation of the request by comparing it to stored data in the continually changing mainframe databases to ensure that no requests, for the same service, have been issued through the mainframe while the request was being staged; posting the request into the mainframe database; transmitting the status of the posted request to the midrange database along with preselected messages and warnings; and deleting the request from the midrange and staging database after the request is implemented.