Bosse, James D. (Silver Spring, MD, US)
Hodgson, Mathew P. (Kensington, MD, US)
Smorodintsev, Alexander (Gaithersburg, MD, US)
Klimantov, Alexei (Gaithersburg, MD, US)
Karassik, Viatcheslav (Silver Spring, MD, US)
We claim:
1. A computer assisted method of managing workers and documents, comprising: storing industry representations and a list of workers with data related to the workers; relationally linking the industry representations with at least one worker from said list of workers; analyzing each of said at least one worker based on industry representations linked to said worker and based on data related to said worker; and selecting a worker from said list of workers based on said analysis.
2. The computer assisted method according to claim 1, wherein said data related to the workers comprises: general information for each worker, at least one work type and a skill level for said at least one work type, employment information, worker history information and user defined information.
3. The computer assisted method according to claim 2, further comprising having an indicator for each worker from said list of workers based on whether the worker has required industry representations from said plurality of industry representations for a work type of the worker.
4. The computer assisted method according to claim 3, wherein said indicator comprises at least one of color, symbol, icon or font style.
5. The computer assisted method according to claim 3, further comprising storing information about statuses of said industry representations and color coding the list of workers based on statuses of the required industry representations.
6. The computer assisted method according to claim 1, wherein said industry representations comprise at least one of documents, certificates, licenses and custom documents.
7. The computer assisted method according to claim 1, further comprising storing data related to said industry representations, wherein for at least one of said industry representations said data comprises a type of said industry representation.
8. The computer assisted method according to claim 7, wherein said data for said at least one of the industry representation further comprises at least one of: an expiration date, a creation date, at least one modification date, verification history and a licensing agency.
9. The computer assisted method according to claim 8, further comprising color coding said industry representation based on the expiration dates and statuses of said industry representations.
10. The computer assisted method according to claim 8, further comprising color coding said industry representations based on the current statuses of said industry representations.
11. The computer assisted method according to claim 7, wherein for at least one industry representation from the plurality of industry representations, storing history information comprising archived versions of said at least one industry representation.
12. The computer assisted method according to claim 1, further comprising storing information about statuses of said industry representations and color coding said industry representations based on said statuses, wherein an industry representation of one status is displayed in a color different from an industry representation of another status.
13. The computer assisted method according to claim 1, further comprising a user selecting type of information to view for each of said at least one worker on the list.
14. The computer assisted method according to claim 1, further comprising user selecting a worker from said list of workers and displaying worker qualifications based on a presence and a status of industry representations for said selected worker.
15. The computer assisted method according to claim 1, further comprising grouping industry representations for the selected at least one worker into groups.
16. The computer assisted method according to claim 1, further comprising adding a worker to said list of workers and adding data related to the worker, wherein a user navigates through data to be added based on tabs organized by types of data.
17. The computer assisted method according to claim 16, further comprising adding an industry representation for said worker, said industry representation comprises at least one of a document, a certificate, a license and a user defined document.
18. The computer assisted method according to claim 1, searching for workers that meet user specified criteria, said criteria comprises at least one of: information from said data related to the workers, an industry representation and information related to the industry representation, worker skills and custom set information.
19. A computer system adapted to manage workers and documents, comprising: a processor, and a memory including software instruction adapted to enable the computer system to perform the steps of: storing industry representations and a list of workers with data related to the workers; relationally linking the industry representations with at least one worker from said list of workers; analyzing each of said at least one worker based on industry representations linked to said worker and based on data related to said worker; and selecting a worker based on said analysis
20. The computer system according to claim 19, wherein said industry representations comprise at least one of documents, certificates, licenses and custom documents.
21. A computer program product for enabling a computer to manage workers and documents comprising: software instructions for enabling the computer to perform predetermined operations, and a computer readable medium bearing the software instructions; the predetermined operations including the steps of: storing industry representations and a list of workers with data related to the workers; relationally linking the industry representations with at least one worker from said list of workers; analyzing each of said at least one worker based on industry representations linked to said worker and based on data related to said worker; and selecting a worker based on said analysis.
22. A computer system adapted to manage workers and documents, comprising: means for storing industry representations and a list of workers with data related to the workers; means for relationally linking the industry representations with at least one worker from said list of workers; and means for selecting at least one worker from said list of workers based on said industry representations for each of said at least one worker.
23. A method of uploading in a worker and document management system, comprising: selecting an entity and an industry representation type; selecting a type of uploading to perform; uploading an industry representation; inputting information for the uploaded industry representation; and saving the industry representation to a data store, wherein the industry representation is linked to the entity and the industry representation type, and wherein the entity comprises at least one of a worker, a customer, a job, a vendor, a contact, a user and a company.
24. The method of uploading according to claim 23, wherein the type of uploading comprises scanning, and uploading from a file and the industry representation type at least one of a certificate, a license, a governmental form, a document and an image.
25. The method of uploading according to claim 23, further comprising manipulating the uploaded industry representation and selecting a location in the data store for storing the industry representation, wherein said location is an archive or a current version of the industry representation.
26. The method of uploading according to claim 23, wherein the inputted information comprises of at least one of the: an expiration date, a creation date, a custom data for the industry representation.
27. A computer system adapted to manage workers and documents, comprising: a processor, and a memory including software instruction adapted to enable the computer system to perform the steps of: selecting the entity and an industry representation type; selecting a type of uploading to perform; uploading an industry representation; inputting information for the uploaded industry representation; and saving the industry representation to a data store, wherein the industry representation is linked to the entity and the industry representation type, and wherein the entity comprises at least one of a worker, a customer, a job, a vendor, a contact, a user and a company.
28. A computer program product for enabling a computer to manage workers and documents comprising: software instructions for enabling the computer to perform predetermined operations, and a computer readable medium bearing the software instructions; the predetermined operations including the steps of: selecting the entity and an industry representation type; selecting a type of uploading to perform; uploading an industry representation; inputting information for the uploaded industry representation; and saving the industry representation to a data store, wherein the industry representation is linked to the entity and the industry representation type, and wherein the entity comprises at least one of a worker, a customer, a job, a vendor, a contact, a user and a company.
29. A computer system adapted to manage workers and documents, comprising: means for selecting the entity and an industry representation type; means for selecting a type of uploading to perform; means for uploading an industry representation; means for inputting information for the uploaded industry representation; and means for saving the industry representation to a data store, wherein the industry representation is linked to the entity and the industry representation type, and wherein the entity comprises at least one of a worker, a customer, a job, a vendor, a contact, a user and a company.
30. A method of transmitting information in a worker and document management system, comprising: reading bar code information from the bar code related to an industry representation; linking the bar code information to the industry representation, wherein: when the bar code information is complete storing the industry representation with the linked bar code information, said complete information comprises an industry representation type and an entity, when the bar code information is incomplete, manually linking said industry representation to at least one of: the entity and the industry representation type, before storing said industry representation with the linked bar code information.
31. The method of transmitting information according to claim 30, wherein when the information is incomplete, temporary storing said industry representation with the linked bar code information before the manual linking.
32. The method of transmitting information according to claim 30, wherein the bar code information further comprises an expiration date for the industry representation.
33. The method of transmitting information according to claim 30, wherein transmitting information comprises at least one of uploading the information into the system, faxing the information, emailing the information and posting the information using SOAP.
34. The method of transmitting information according to claim 30, wherein the industry representation with the bar code is scanned in before said reading of the bar code information.
35. The method of transmitting information according to claim 30, wherein the industry representation with the bar code is received via faxed before said reading;
36. The method of uploading according to claim 30, wherein the bar code information further comprises custom information.
37. The method of uploading according to claim 36, wherein the custom information is user created fields.
38. The method of uploading according to claim 30, wherein the entity is a worker, a vendor, a job, a customer, a contact, a user or a company.
39. The method of uploading according to claim 38, wherein the industry representation is a certificate, a license, a document, a form or other industry required representation.
40. A computer system adapted to manage workers and documents, comprising: a processor, and a memory including software instruction adapted to enable the computer system to perform the steps of: scanning an industry representation with a bar code; reading bar code information from the bar code; linking the bar code information to the industry representation, wherein: when the bar code information is complete storing the industry representation with the linked bar code information, said complete information comprises an industry representation type and an entity, when the bar code information is incomplete, manually linking said industry representation to at least one of the entity and the industry representation, before storing said industry representation with the linked bar code information.
41. A computer program product for enabling a computer to manage workers and documents comprising: software instructions for enabling the computer to perform predetermined operations, and a computer readable medium bearing the software instructions; the predetermined operations including the steps of: scanning an industry representation with a bar code; reading bar code information from the bar code; linking the bar code information to the industry representation, wherein: when the bar code information is complete storing the industry representation with the linked bar code information, said complete information comprises an industry representation type and an entity, when the bar code information is incomplete, manually linking said industry representation to at least one of the entity and the industry representation, before storing said industry representation with the linked bar code information.
42. A computer system adapted to manage workers and documents, comprising: means for scanning an industry representation with a bar code; means for reading bar code information from the bar code; means for linking the bar code information to the industry representation, wherein: when the bar code information is complete storing the industry representation with the linked bar code information, said complete information comprises an industry representation type and an entity, when the bar code information is incomplete, manually linking said industry representation to at least one of the entity and the industry representation, before storing said industry representation with the linked bar code information.
43. A method of uploading in a worker and document management system, comprising: reading bar code information from the bar code attached to a cover sheet; receiving a plurality of industry representations; automatically linking the bar code information to each of said plurality of industry representations; and storing said industry representations with the linked bar code information.
44. The method of uploading according to claim 43, further comprising scanning the coversheet with a bar code so that said reading can be performed.
45. The method of uploading according to claim 43, further comprising receiving via facsimile the coversheet with a bar code so that said reading can be performed.
46. The method of uploading according to claim 43, further comprising manually linking each of said industry representations to at least one of the entity and the industry representation type before storing said industry representations with the linked bar code information.
47. The method of uploading according to claim 44, wherein the bar code information comprises one of the entity and the industry representation type.
48. The method of uploading according to claim 47, and wherein the bar code information further comprises at least one of an expiration date and custom information.
49. The method of uploading according to claim 47, wherein said industry representation is a document, a certificate, a license, other industry required representation or job required representation, and said entity is a worker, a vendor, a job, a customer, a contact, a user or a company.
50. The method of uploading according to claim 44, wherein said industry representation is a document, a certificate, a license, or other industry required representation and said entity is a worker, a vendor, a job, a customer, a contact, a user or a company.
51. The method of uploading according to claim 44, wherein said industry representation is a certificate and said industry representation type comprises a state and type of government required certificate and said entity is a worker.
52. A computer system adapted to manage workers and documents, comprising: a processor, and a memory including software instruction adapted to enable the computer system to perform the steps of: scanning a coversheet with a bar code; reading bar code information from the bar code; scanning a plurality of industry representations; automatically linking the bar code information to each of said plurality of industry representations; and storing said industry representations with the linked bar code information.
53. A computer program product for enabling a computer to manage workers and documents comprising: software instructions for enabling the computer to perform predetermined operations, and a computer readable medium bearing the software instructions; the predetermined operations including the steps of: scanning a coversheet with a bar code; reading bar code information from the bar code; scanning a plurality of industry representations; automatically linking the bar code information to each of said plurality of industry representations; and storing said industry representations with the linked bar code information.
54. A computer system adapted to manage workers and documents, comprising: means for scanning a coversheet with a bar code; means for reading bar code information from the bar code; means for scanning a plurality of industry representations; means for automatically linking the bar code information to each of said plurality of industry representations; and means for storing said industry representations with the linked bar code information.
55. A method of managing workers and documents, comprising: storing a list of workers and industry representations with data related to said industry representations; relationally linking some of the industry representations with at least one worker from said list of workers; setting filters for information to be displayed; and displaying at least one worker from the list of workers with at least one corresponding industry representation from said industry representations.
56. The method according to claim 55, further comprising color coding said displayed at least one industry representation based on status of said at least one industry representation.
57. The method according to claim 56, wherein said status of industry representation is user created status, and wherein worker status is user created status.
58. The method according to claim 56, further comprising selecting an industry representation to view detailed information for said industry representation, said detailed information comprises one of a last update, whether an update was scheduled, required training, contact information for an updating entity and authenticity of said industry representation.
59. The method according to claim 58, wherein said authenticity comprises information about a verifying entity, level of said verifying entity, history of verifications, and whether the industry representation is authentic.
60. The method according to claim 55, further comprising selecting an industry representation and viewing detailed data for said industry representation, wherein said detailed data comprises an expiration date, an issuing authority and contact information for the selected industry representation.
61. The method according to claim 55, wherein said filter comprises at least one of selecting at least one type of said industry representations to be displayed, selecting at least one worker status of workers to be displayed and selecting at least one industry representation status of said industry representations to be displayed.
62. The method according to claim 61, wherein said status of industry representation is one of current, expired, pending, incomplete, missing and not applicable, and wherein said worker status is one of current, inactive, active, terminated, part time, full time, new hire or other user defined status.
63. The method according to claim 62, wherein said at least one type of industry representation comprises at least one of an issuing state and type of worker certificate, a type of government required form, and a type of government required license.
64. The method according to claim 62, wherein said displayed at least one industry representation is color coded based on the status of industry representation, wherein said expired industry representation, said incomplete industry representation, said about to expire industry representation and said current industry representation are each displayed in a different color.
65. The method according to claim 62, further comprising a user setting up a custom color coding scheme for said industry representations, and the user creating at least one of: user accounts having user account levels and verification levels, fields for the workers, the fields comprising at least one of skill types, worker statuses, worker titles, worker languages and work types, form types and fields for forms, types of vendors, tool types and tool fields, said industry representations types and industry representations fields, and types of job statuses, job tasks performed on a job site and job fields.
66. The method according to claim 65, further comprising a user grouping industry representations into binders and creating a name for the binder.
67. The method according to claim 66, further comprising setting up alerts, said alerts to notify the user of certain events, said events comprises one of notifying the user when an industry representation is expired or is about to expire, notifying the user when a worker lacks industry required representations for a scheduled job type.
68. The method according to claim 67, wherein said notification is dispatched via at least one of email, facsimile, pop up screen, or telephone.
69. The method according to claim 55, further comprising a user selecting a job, and wherein said displayed at least one worker with at least one corresponding industry representation is a list of workers assigned to the job and the industry representations required for the job.
70. The method according to claim 55, further comprising a user selecting a work type, wherein for each of the displayed workers, said displayed at least one corresponding industry representation is industry representations required for the work type, and further comprising alerting the user when a displayed worker lacks at least one of the industry representation required for the work type.
71. The method according to claim 55, further comprising a user selecting a custom document, and wherein said displayed at least one corresponding industry representation is user created type of industry representations.
72. The method according to claim 55, wherein the industry representation comprises a plurality of pages and wherein each page is stored under same industry representation type and each page in the industry representation may be rearranged in accordance with user request.
73. The method according to claim 55, wherein at least one page from said plurality of pages, has its own industry representation type.
74. The method according to claim 55, wherein said displayed at least one corresponding industry representation is industry representations scheduled for update.
75. The method according to claim 55, further comprising linking a tool type from said tool types to a job type from said job types, wherein said tools are equipment needs for the job type.
76. A computer system adapted to manage workers and documents, comprising: a processor, and a memory including software instruction adapted to enable the computer system to perform the steps of: storing a list of workers and industry representations with data related to said industry representations; relationally linking the industry representations with at least one worker from said list of workers; setting filters for information to be displayed; and displaying at least one worker from the list of workers with at least one corresponding industry representation from said industry representations.
77. A computer program product for enabling a computer to manage workers and documents comprising: software instructions for enabling the computer to perform predetermined operations, and a computer readable medium bearing the software instructions; the predetermined operations including the steps of: storing a list of workers and industry representations with data related to said industry representations; relationally linking the industry representations with at least one worker from said list of workers; setting filters for information to be displayed; and displaying at least one worker from the list of workers with at least one corresponding industry representation from said industry representations.
78. A computer system adapted to manage workers and documents, comprising: means for storing a list of workers and industry representations with data related to said industry representations; means for relationally linking the industry representations with at least one worker from said list of workers; means for setting filters for information to be displayed; and means for displaying at least one worker from the list of workers with at least one corresponding industry representation from said industry representations.
79. A worker and document management method, comprising: storing data related to a worker comprising an industry representation and other data, and a job comprising a work type; relationally linking the stored industry representation and the work type; and determining whether a worker qualifies for the job based on the linked data.
80. The method according to claim 79, further comprising adding a new job and information for the job.
81. The method according to claim 79, wherein information for the job further comprises skills required for the job, job costs, equipment required for the job and accounting information.
82. The method according to claim 81, wherein the job costs further comprises worker wages, state taxes, worker compensation insurance and miscellaneous burdens.
83. A worker and document management method comprising: storing data, related to a worker, at least one industry required representation, and a job comprising a work type; receiving user input; performing an analysis of the stored data based on the user input; and displaying results, wherein the performing of the analysis comprises at least one of scheduling the worker to the job when said at least one industry required representation for the worker matches industry requirements for the job type, informing the user of a status of one of said at least one industry required representation for the worker, and displaying a list of jobs filtered by a job status.
84. The method according to claim 83, said performing analysis comprises scheduling of the worker to the job, storing the results and using the stored results to generate a statement.
85. The method according to claim 83, further comprising: linking said worker data to a recognition device; and automatically tracking hours worked by said worker using said recognition device, wherein performing said analysis comprises generating a pay check for the worker, a customer statement or an internal cost analysis based on said automatic tracking.
86. The method according to claim 85, wherein said recognition device comprises at least one of a card reader and a fingerprint recognition device and wherein said recognition device is WAP enabled.
87. The method according to claim 86, wherein said recognition device alerts a user when a worker unqualified for the work type assigned to perform attempts to sign in for work, and wherein the user is alerted via at least one of displaying the worker data on the recognition device, emailing, faxing and a pop up screen.
88. The method according to claim 87, wherein the worker is unqualified for the work type when the worker lacks industry representations required for the job type or when the worker's industry representations required for the job type expired.
89. The method according to claim 84, wherein the statement is at least one of a customer invoice for the job that breaks down costs by worker wage, overtime, equipment cost, taxes and insurance, an internal cost and benefit analysis for the job, and a pay check for the worker.
90. The method according to claim 83, wherein when the user selects a job from the displayed list of jobs, displaying detailed information for the selected job, said detailed information comprises a job contact information, job requirements, industry representations required for the job type, skills and qualifications, accounting information, job history, job costs and equipment required for the job.
91. The method according to claim 83, wherein when the user selects a job from the displayed list of jobs, displaying detailed information for the selected job, said detailed information comprises workers scheduled to the job, wherein said workers are color coded based on whether they have all of the industry representations for the job type.
92. A computer system adapted to manage workers and documents, comprising: a processor, and a memory including software instruction adapted to enable the computer system to perform the steps of: storing data, related to a worker, including an industry required representation, and a job including a job type; receiving user input; performing an analysis of the stored data based on the user input; and displaying results, wherein the performing of the analysis comprises at least one of scheduling the worker to the job when the industry required representation matches industry requirements for the job type, informing the user of a status of the industry required representation for the worker, and displaying a list of jobs filtered by a job status.
93. A computer program product for enabling a computer to manage workers and documents comprising: software instructions for enabling the computer to perform predetermined operations, and a computer readable medium bearing the software instructions; the predetermined operations including the steps of: storing data, related to a worker, including an industry required representation, and a job including a job type; receiving user input; performing an analysis of the stored data based on the user input; and displaying results, wherein the performing of the analysis comprises at least one of scheduling the worker to the job when the industry required representation matches industry requirements for the job type, informing the user of a status of the industry required representation for the worker, and displaying a list of jobs filtered by a job status.
94. A computer system adapted to manage workers and documents, comprising: means for storing data, related to a worker, including an industry required representation, and a job including a job type; means for receiving user input; means for performing an analysis of the stored data based on the user input; and means for displaying results, wherein the performing of the analysis comprises at least one of scheduling the worker to the job when the industry required representation matches industry requirements for the job type, informing the user of a status of the industry required representation for the worker, and displaying a list of jobs filtered by a job status.
95. A worker and document management method, comprising: storing data, related to a plurality of workers, including an industry required representation for at least one worker from said plurality of workers; storing data related to a job and workers comprising a work type; performing an analysis of the stored data; and producing results of said analysis, wherein said results comprises at least one of: a list comprising at least one worker selected from said plurality of workers qualified for the work type based on the industry required representation for said at least one worker, an empty list when no workers from said plurality of workers meet the industry requirement for the job type, and a list of said plurality of workers allowing the user to manually allocate at least one worker from said plurality of workers for the job but alerting the user when said at least one worker being manually scheduled does not have the industry required representation for the job type.
96. The method according to claim 95, wherein when said results comprise the list of said plurality of workers and the user schedules at least one worker to a job type for which said at least one worker does not have the industry required representation, an automatic notification is dispatched to a responsible party for the job.
97. The method according to claim 95, further comprising displaying a list of only unscheduled workers.
98. The method according to claim 95, further comprising storing worker wage rate, fringe rate and overtime rate, and calculating a total cost for the job using said worker wage, tax payroll set up, worker compensation insurance, and equipment depreciation.
99. A worker and document management method, comprising: storing data, related to a plurality of workers, including an industry required representation for at least one worker from said plurality of workers; storing data related to a job including a work type, and a customer; relationally linking the worker data, the job data, and the customer data to analyze the stored data; selecting data from the stored data; analyzing data related to the selected data based on the relational linking; and automatically providing the analyzed data to a user.
100. The worker and document management method according to claim 99, wherein when the selected data is a customer, the user is provided with a list of jobs for the selected customer.
101. The worker and document management method according to claim 100, further comprising filtering the list of job based on job status.
102. The worker and document management method according to claim 100, wherein the user is also provided for each of the jobs a corresponding list of workers scheduled to the job.
103. The worker and document management method according to claim 99, further comprising storing said retrieved industry representations in a group for further viewing, editing or dispatch.
104. The worker and document management method according to claim 99, further comprising filtering data before the selecting of data from the stored data, wherein said filtering comprises at least one of selecting a customer, a job, the work type and a source from which to select the data.
105. The worker and document management method according to claim 104, wherein said source comprises selecting workers from a payroll, selecting workers assigned to the job or selecting workers scheduled for the job.
106. The worker and document management method according to claim 105, wherein said selecting data from the stored data comprises selecting worker from a filtered list of workers and selecting items to be dispatched, said items comprises at least one of industry required representations for the work type, industry required representations for the job, industry required representations for the customer, current industry representations, archived industry representations, recently updated industry required representations and industry required representations not previously dispatched.
107. The worker and document management method according to claim 106, wherein said selecting data from the stored data further comprises how to dispatch the selected items, said dispatch is via email, facsimile, printing or creating a file.
108. The worker and document management method according to claim 107, wherein when a user has a required verification level for dispatching the selected items, dispatching said items and when the user does not have the required verification level for dispatching the selected items, denying said dispatch.
109. The worker and document management method according to claim 108, further comprising notifying another user when the items are dispatched.
110. The worker and document management method according to claim 106, wherein said industry required representation comprises at least one of a document and an image.
111. The worker and document management method according to claim 110, wherein said industry required representation is a government issued certificate or a government issued license.
112. The worker and document management method according to claim 99, wherein said selected data is selecting a worker to schedule to the job and wherein said analyzed data comprises when said worker has industry required representations for the job type and industry required representations required by the customer, scheduling the worker to the job and when said selected worker has an expired or lacks at least one of the industry required representations for the job type or the industry required representations required by the customer, alerting said user of the missing or expired industry required representations.
113. A computer system adapted to manage workers and documents, comprising: a processor, and a memory including software instruction adapted to enable the computer system to perform the steps of: storing data, related to a plurality of workers, including an industry required representation for at least one worker from said plurality of workers; storing data related to a job including a work type, and a customer; relationally linking the worker data, the job data, and the customer data to analyze the stored data; selecting data from the stored data; analyzing data related to the selected data based on the relational linking; and automatically providing the analyzed data to a user.
114. A computer program product for enabling a computer to manage workers and documents comprising: software instructions for enabling the computer to perform predetermined operations, and a computer readable medium bearing the software instructions; the predetermined operations including the steps of: storing data, related to a plurality of workers, including an industry required representation for at least one worker from said plurality of workers; storing data related to a job including a work type, and a customer; relationally linking the worker data, the job data, and the customer data to analyze the stored data; selecting data from the stored data; analyzing data related to the selected data based on the relational linking; and automatically providing the analyzed data to a user.
115. A computer system adapted to manage workers and documents, comprising: means for storing data, related to a plurality of workers, including an industry required representation for at least one worker from said plurality of workers; means for storing data related to a job including a work type, and a customer; means for relationally linking the worker data, the job data, and the customer data to analyze the stored data; means for selecting data from the stored data; means for analyzing data related to the selected data based on the relational linking; and means for automatically providing the analyzed data to a user.
116. A worker and document management method, comprising: storing data for a plurality of workers; storing a plurality of forms; selecting at least one worker from said plurality of workers and at least one form from said plurality of forms; automatically populating the selected at least one form with data for the selected at least one worker.
117. The method according to claim 116, further comprising dispatching the populated form, said dispatching is performed via email, facsimile, printing or creating a file.
118. A method for dynamically exchanging information between a community of users, comprising: selecting data having a plurality of fields and at least one record from a source database for transfer to a destination database; dispatching the selected data; receiving the dispatched data; and upon a user request, storing the received data in the destination database by mapping fields of the received data with fields of the destination database.
119. The method according to claim 118, wherein said data comprises information for at least one worker and wherein said at least one record is at least one industry required representation and an industry required representation type.
120. The method according to claim 119, wherein when a field of the received data is not recognized in the destination database, defining the field in the destination database or linking the field to an existing field in the destination database.
121. The method according to claim 120, wherein the field comprises at least one of a work type, a worker name, a worker social security number, a worker's wage, a worker's fringe rate, worker status and worker status.
122. The method according to claim 121, wherein the industry required representation type is automatically mapped with a corresponding record type in the destination database and wherein said industry required representation is stored in the destination database under the corresponding record type.
123. The method according to claim 122, wherein said dispatching the selected data comprises selectively encrypting at least some of the selected data and industry required representations and not encrypting fields and record types.
124. The method according to claim 118, wherein said data comprises information for at least one of a worker, a vendor, a customer, a job and a company, and wherein said at least one record is at least one information supporting documentation and a type of the supporting documentation.
125. The method according to claim 124, wherein when a field of the received data is not recognized in the destination database, defining the field in the destination database or linking the field to an existing field in the destination database.
126. The method according to claim 124, wherein said dispatch is not performed when a user account lacks required permissions for dispatching the selected data.
127. The method according to claim 124, wherein another user is notified when said data is dispatched.
128. The method according to claim 124, wherein said selecting data comprises selecting to transfer only the updated data, selecting to transfer only new data or selecting to transfer the selected data including new and old data.
129. The method according to claim 128, further comprising: before transmitting said information supporting documentation, transmitting to the destination database, a unique hashing number for said information supporting documentation; searching for the unique hashing number in the destination database; and when the unique hashing number is found in the destination database, instead of said dispatching of the information supporting documentation, uploading from the destination database an information supporting documentation corresponding to the found unique hashing number, when the unique hashing number is not found in the destination database, said dispatch of the selected data comprises said information supporting documentation.
130. The method according to claim 118, wherein the information is exchanged between the community of users, said community of users comprising at least one of: a hospital, a doctor's office, a pharmacy and a testing facility; a non-profit organization and a government regulating agency; a union member, international union regulating body, a state union regulating body, administrator and a union contractor; a plurality of banks, a loan officer and a customer; at least one contractor and a facility owner; a court, a legal personnel, a police department and a prison; a visa applicant, a potential employer and a sponsoring agency; a temporary employee, a staffing firm and a business seeking employees; a realtor, a broker, a mortgage lender and a title attorney; and a general contractor and at least one sub contractor.
131. The method according to claim 118, wherein said fields are manually mapped by a user or automatically mapped by the system.
132. The method according to claim 131, wherein before said automatic mapping, the user manually verifies the fields to be mapped, and wherein the user creates new fields in the destination database for some of the received fields, and wherein the user changes the mapping of at least one field in the destination database
133. A computer system adapted to manage workers and documents, comprising: a processor, and a memory including software instruction adapted to enable the computer system to perform the steps of: selecting data having a plurality of fields and at least one record from a source database for transfer to a destination database; sending the selected data; receiving the send data; and upon a user request, storing the received data in the destination database by mapping fields of the received data with fields of the destination database.
134. A computer program product for enabling a computer to manage workers and documents comprising: software instructions for enabling the computer to perform predetermined operations, and a computer readable medium bearing the software instructions; the predetermined operations including the steps of: selecting data having a plurality of fields and at least one record from a source database for transfer to a destination database; sending the selected data; receiving the send data; and upon a user request, storing the received data in the destination database by mapping fields of the received data with fields of the destination database.
135. A computer system adapted to manage workers and documents, comprising: means for selecting data having a plurality of fields and at least one record from a source database for transfer to a destination database; sending the selected data; receiving the send data; and upon a user request, storing the received data in the destination database by automatically mapping fields of the received data with fields of the destination database.
136. A method of transmitting information between entities, said entities being a server and a client, comprising: generating a key pair for asymmetric cipher by a first entity; transmitting a public key to a second entity; generating a session key for a symmetric cipher; encrypting said session key with a public key; transmitting said session key to the first entity; identifying sensitive data; encrypting said sensitive data by the first entity using said session key; and transmitting the encrypted selected data to the second entity for decryption.
137. The method according to claim 136, wherein the selected data is sensitive fields and wherein field types are left not encrypted, said sensitive fields are field values.
138. The method according to claim 136, wherein the selected data is elements between tags in an XML document that are encrypted by applying a simple object access protocol.
139. The method according to claim 136, wherein a user, an administrator or a program selects data for encryption.
140. The method according to claim 136, wherein type of data to encrypt and decrypt is pre-defined in the first entity and the second entity.
141. The method according to claim 136, wherein before said transmitting of the encrypted selected data, the first entity notifies the second entity of an encryption schema, the encryption schema defining type of data to encrypt and decrypt.
142. The method according to claim 141, wherein said second entity uses the encryption schema for encrypting and decrypting data until a new encryption schema is received.
143. The method according to claim 136, wherein the first is a server and the second entity is a client web browser or visa versa, further comprising: an invisible active X control storing the session key in a secure repository of the client web browser; creating a visible active X control that retrieves the session key via the invisible active X control; decrypts the transmitted data and displays the decrypted data on the client web browser; and creating a visible active X control that intercepts data to be transmitted to the server, and retrieving the session key via the invisible active X control, selectively encrypting the data to be transmitted using the session key.
144. A computer assisted method of managing documents comprising: storing a plurality of documents and a list of entities; linking at least one of the plurality of documents to at least one entity from the list; and analyzing an entity from the list based on the documents linked to said entity.
145. The computer assisted method according to claim 144, further comprising grouping at least one document from the plurality of documents to form an entity type, and wherein said analysis comprises analyzing whether an entity from the list has all documents necessary to meet the entity type.
146. The computer assisted method according to claim 145, further comprising storing detailed information for each of the entities on the list, and linking an entity to a subject based on whether the entity is categorized under the entity type, wherein the entity type further comprises at least some of the information from the detailed information.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/483,098 titled “Worker and Document Management System” filed on Jun. 30, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] A method and a system consistent with the present invention broadly relates to tracking business documents including employee documents and other business related information. More particularly, the present invention is consistent with providing an integrated, comprehensive method for managing employees, customers, jobs, vendors, contacts and equipment information, and the related documents.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Business owners, especially those who manage large temporary or permanent work forces or a myriad of projects, face an avalanche of documents and expend a tremendous amount of time and resources to properly manage employee documents, improve payroll speed and reliability, manage job and task assignments, match employee skills and qualifications with job requirements, and transfer the required documents to their business partners.
[0006] Out-dated, erroneous or lost information, delays, reduced productivity, and low morale are just a few of the problems associated with conventional efforts to exchange documents with business partners and manage workers, documents and associated tasks or jobs. More importantly, in regulated industries, business owners must comply with a host of state and federal requirements and worker certifications, all of which must be tracked, kept current and provided to various business partners including government agencies. In addition, there are numerous issues associated with the proper allocation, tracking, and distribution of funds associated with the projects.
[0007] In the environmental industry, for example, an environmental contractor must handle and track multiple workers, multiple projects, multiple state and federal regulations, and thousands of documents almost each and everyday, or face substantial penalties and fines. The contractor must therefore devote significant internal resources for tracking and compliance with industry regulations.
[0008] Attempts in the industry have been made to solve these problems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,049,776 to Donnelly discloses a human resource management system for staffing projects with various workers. For example, Donnelly's system schedules workers based on skills and evaluation of the performance manually entered by the user. Donnelly's system is a very limiting management system, which does not manage documents for the worker and which addresses only a few of the general problems described above. Donnelly does not even begin to address the problems of the environmental industry.
[0009] In the healthcare industry, a document information system was designed for addressing specific needs of this specialized industry as taught by U.S. Pat. No. 6,292,783 to Rohler et al. Rohler et al. is also a limiting solution designed for this very specialized industry, which has a data storage means, phone interface means for inputting and retrieving data and a verification means using one or more calendars to verify medical tasks performed to the scheduled ones.
[0010] Attempts in the industry are also made to facilitate the transfer of documents from one database to another. For example, in Publication No. 20020174098 to Hsing Kong Wu et al., a database management system integrates the original data sources operating under different Application Program Interface (e.g., ORACLE, SYBASE, MS SQL, IBM DB2, etc.) and transforms these data sources into text files (e.g., EXCEL, XML, WML format) for utilization by different application systems (e.g., IE Browser, Netscape, EXCEL, WAP phone, EOS, or POS in enterprises) via different transmission interfaces (Internet, Intranet, Mobile network) so as to meet the requirements of electronic commerce. In particular, one database is transferred to another database mapping the data fields via multiple operation means. This system, however, is for automatically transferring entire files. The user does not have the flexibility to just transfer the necessary fields. Also, no verification of data is present.
[0011] Business owners, managers and other personnel need a real-time system that can accurately track and manage multiple workers, multiple projects, and the associated documentation requirements, without spending an inordinate amount of time entering data, re-keying data, developing reports, and interfacing with conventional payroll and accounting systems. In addition, business owners need a system capable of quickly exchanging information between various business associates.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention overcomes the above disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also, the present invention is not necessarily required to overcome any of the disadvantages described above, and an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention may not overcome any of the problems described above. The appended claims should be consulted to ascertain the true scope of the invention.
[0013] It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a system and method managing personnel staffing for designated projects, especially those requiring time-sensitive certifications. It is further an aspect of the present invention to provide a system and a method managing the costs of the designated projects including payroll management, project estimations, and the like.
[0014] It is further an aspect of the present invention to provide a system and a method for managing industry representations related to personnel, customers, projects, equipment and to other subjects and other entities present in various industries. It is further an aspect of the present invention, to provide a system and a method for comprehensive management of documents of various kinds.
[0015] It is further an aspect of the present invention to provide a system and a method to facilitate secure sharing of documents between various entities within a community. It is further an aspect of the present invention to provide a system and a method for verification of various documents. Other aspects will become apparent from reading the description herein.
[0016] According to an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, a computer-assisted system and a method is provided for managing workers and documents. A storage stores industry representations and a list of workers with data related to the workers. A processor relationally links the industry representations with one or more workers from the list of workers. The processor further analyzes the workers on the list based on the industry representations linked to the workers and based on data related to the workers. Based on this analysis, the processor then selects a worker from the list. The processor may select the worker for various viewings and manipulations.
[0017] According to another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, a computer program product and a computer system adapted to manage workers and documents has a processor, a memory with software instruction adapted to enable the computer system to perform the following steps: storing industry representations and a list of workers with data related to the workers, relationally linking the industry representations with one or more worker from the list of workers, analyzing each worker based on industry representations linked to this worker and based on data related to this worker, and selecting one or more workers based on this analysis.
[0018] According to another exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, a method for managing documents is provided. In the method, a plurality of documents and a list of entities are stored and some of the documents are linked to one or more entities. The method further analyzes an entity based on the documents relationally linked to the entity.
[0019] According to another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention a system, a computer program product and a method for uploading documents is provided. In this embodiment, an entity and an industry representation type, and the type of uploading to perform is selected. The industry representation is uploaded and the user inputs information for the uploaded industry representation. The information and the industry representation is saved to a data store. The industry representation is linked to the entity and the industry representation type and the entity is a worker, a customer, a job, a vendor, a contact, a user or a company.
[0020] According to another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention a system, a computer program product and a method for transmitting information is provided. The industry representation is scanned in with a bar code and the bar code information from the bar code related to an industry representation is read. The bar code information is linked to the industry representation. When the bar code information has an industry representation type and an entity, the bar code information is complete. In this case, the industry representation with the linked bar code information is stored in the data store. When the bar code information is incomplete, the industry representation is manually linked to the entity and/or the industry representation type, before the industry representation is stored in the data store with the linked bar code information.
[0021] According to another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention a system, a computer program product and a method for uploading industry representations is provided. A coversheet with a bar code is scanned in and the bar code information is read from the bar code that is attached to a cover sheet. Next a number of industry representations are scanned in and the bar code information is automatically linked to each of the scanned in industry representations. The industry representations are stored with the linked bar code information.
[0022] According to another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention a system, a computer program product and a method for managing workers and documents is provided. A list of workers and industry representations with data related to the industry representations are stored. The industry representations are linked with one or more worker from the list. Filters are set for displaying information and one or more worker with one or more corresponding industry representation is displayed.
[0023] According to another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention a system, a computer program product and a method for managing workers and documents is provided. Data related to a worker, one or more industry required representations and a job with or without a work type is stored. User input is then received and analysis of the stored data is performed based on the received user input. The results are then displayed. The analysis performed is at scheduling one or more worker to a job when one or more industry required representations for the worker matches industry requirements for the work type. Alternatively, the analysis performed is informing the user of a status of an industry required representation for the worker or displaying a list of jobs filtered by a job status.
[0024] According to another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention a system, a computer program product and a method for managing worker information and documents is provided. Data related to a number of workers including an industry required representation for one or more workers is stored. Data related to a job and workers associated to a work type is also stored. Next, an analysis of the stored data is performed and the results of the analysis are produced. The results may be a list of one or more workers qualified for the work type based on the industry required representation for the one or more workers. Alternatively, the results may be an empty list when no workers meet the industry requirement for the work type or a list of the workers to allow the user to manually allocate one or more workers for the job but alerting the user when the worker being scheduled does not have the industry required representation for the work type.
[0025] According to another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention a system, a computer program product and a method for managing worker information and documents is provided. Data for a number of workers and various forms are stored in a data store. Then, one or more workers are selected and one or more forms are selected and the system populates the selected forms with data for the selected workers.
[0026] According to another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention a system, a computer program product and a method for dynamically exchanging information between a community of users is provided. The user selects data having a number of fields and at least one record from a source database for transfer to a destination database. The selected data is dispatched to the destination database. When the dispatched data is received, upon a user request, the received data is stored in the destination database by mapping fields of the received data with fields in the destination database.
[0027] According to another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention a system, a computer program product and a method for transmitting information between entities, the entities being a server and a client. First, a key pair for asymmetric cipher is generated by a first entity, and the public key is transmitted to the second entity. The second entity generates a session key for a symmetric cipher and encrypts the session key with a public key. The encrypted session key is transmitted to the first entity, and the first entity uses the session key to encrypt selected data. The data with some fields being encrypted is transmitted to the second entity where it is decrypted.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The above objects and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail the illustrative, non-limiting embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0029]
[0030]
[0031]
[0032]
[0033]
[0034]
[0035]
[0036]
[0037]
[0038]
[0039]
[0040]
[0041]
[0042]
[0043]
[0044]
[0045] FIGS.
[0046]
[0047]
[0048]
[0049]
[0050]
[0051]
[0052]
[0053]
[0054]
[0055]
[0056]
[0057]
[0058]
[0059]
[0060]
[0061]
[0062]
[0063]
[0064]
[0065]
[0066] FIGS.
[0067]
[0068]
[0069]
[0070] FIGS.
[0071] FIGS.
[0072] FIGS.
[0073] FIGS.
[0074]
[0075]
[0076]
[0077]
[0078]
[0079]
[0080] FIGS.
[0081] FIGS.
[0082]
[0083]
[0084]
[0085]
[0086]
[0087] FIGS.
[0088] FIGS.
[0089]
[0090]
[0091]
[0092]
[0093]
[0094]
[0095]
[0096]
[0097]
[0098]
[0099] FIGS.
[0100]
[0101] FIGS.
[0102]
[0103]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE, NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS
[0104] The present invention will now be described in detail by describing illustrative, non-limiting embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference marks denote the same elements. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein. Rather, the embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art. The terms “end user”, “customer” or “contractor” are used interchangeably, and refer to the actual user of the illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the Worker Management System (“WMS”) to coordinate workers and projects.
[0105] I. Introduction
[0106] In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the Worker Management System is a software application that manages aspects of the relationship of a worker and a company, with regards to skills, qualification, certification, job requirements, scheduling needs and document management. The software application can be delivered to the user via a web-based graphical user interface. The software application can also be deployed over a dedicated computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN), or via a stand-alone computer system for a particular company, such as an intranet installation or by other means. For simplicity and ease of discussion, the illustrative, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to a web-based system.
[0107] The illustrative, non-limiting, embodiment digitally captures worker, customer, job and equipment information and documentation in one system. The captured information is used across a wide variety of modules and makes the captured information available in a variety of reports further ensuring that the captured data is easily ported to conventional software applications such as payroll and accounting systems that interface with the variety of modules.
[0108] For example, the illustrative, non-limiting, embodiment of the Worker Management System can work in conjunction with the end user's current accounting software (with a custom link) or be configured to work with a proprietary accounting system by changing the data export functions as described in greater detail later. The software can also be enabled for web-based delivery, allowing multiple end users (customers) to gain access to worker information and job specifications from anywhere via an Internet connection.
[0109] The illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention uses dynamic fields to describe data, so that the system can be adapted to any industry that requires document capture and/or the tracking and dissemination of those documents, for example, regulated certificates or required documents. The system tracks features related to the documents such as expiration dates, renewals and updates. Although an illustrative embodiment of the present invention is particularly suited for a regulated industry worker and documentation management, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that, by modifying the dynamic fields, the illustrative embodiment of the present invention is applicable to any industry requiring worker management and documentation. For example, an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the WMS is applicable to the construction industry, chemical industry, healthcare industry, real estate and many other industries. New fields can be added at any level to accommodate the specific requirements of a particular industry.
[0110] The illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention has an intuitive user interface to make it user friendly and easy to use. The system also allows rapid management and review of workers qualifications and expiration dates. In the environmental industry, for example, an environmental contractor using the illustrative embodiment of the WMS can handle and track thousands of documents that are required within the industry each and everyday. The illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the WMS allows the environmental contractor to manage their company work force with incredible ease, reliability and efficiency, thereby drastically cutting support and overhead costs. The use of the WMS by a contractor costs pennies in comparison with the costs a contractor currently incurs to perform the same functions.
[0111] In addition to the environmental contractor, the Industrial Hygienist (IH), the customers (i.e., sub-contractors) of the environmental contractor and state/federal regulators can access the same data set, or selected portions of the same data set, as determined for each job. Thus, there is a single location where information is current, and parties involved in the process may view the same real-time data. With a password, for example, the documentation is only an Internet connection or a phone call away. By relieving the administrative burden, the workers and the contractor can focus on the tasks at hand.
[0112] In the illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the main modules are: a) worker management, b) document management, c) job management, d) customer management, e) system administration, f) accounting management, g) print-to-go, h) information exchange, i) vendors and j) miscellaneous. They are shown in
[0113] The exemplary main menu illustrated in
[0114] The terms “module” and “sub-module” and “logical part” are not intended to mean that the functions described herein be grouped as described, as any alternate grouping of functions may be substituted to practice the present invention. What follows is a general overview of the broad functionality of the illustrative non-limiting embodiments of the present invention and then, a more specific and detailed description of the main modules is presented in the context of the environmental services industry.
[0115] II. Overview of the Exemplary WMS Functionality
[0116] The illustrative WMS has numerous features, and the following presents a broad framework of its capabilities. Many of the features have functionality that interact across several of the main modules, and therefore are not easily categorized under a single heading. As a result, the features below may contain some overlap in the description, and the features described under one major category of functionalities may also be applicable to other categories of functionalities. Some of the exemplary functionalities of the WMS are described below under the following broad category headings: a) document and worker management, b) information exchange and web security, c) job and worksite management, d) scheduling, e) searching, f) labor/cost management analysis, g) payroll, h) billing, i) alerts, j) worker compensation audit information management, and k) color coding.
[0117] A. Document and Worker Management
[0118] For example, document management services allow for a comprehensive input and data capture, comprehensive distribution of materials as requested, pre-job submittals (explained later in further detail in the site management section), print, email and fax of documents and materials directly to the job site or to the designated management personnel, secure access (e.g., using a secure PIN number) for designated third parties, including, for example, Industrial Hygienist (IH), the customers' sub-contractors, and local, state and federal regulators.
[0119] To facilitate the management of documents, a 24-hour Document Center may be included, which allows the contractor, IH and sub-contractors to upload, verify or request documents or worker searches 24 hours a day. Worker updates or requirements can be forwarded to the WMS at anytime. If a contractor needs to have submittals printed, a job completion set printed, or just a group of documents printed, with a simple phone call, email or fax they can request the WMS document center to take care of it.
[0120] Anytime a worker has an updated requirement, the user may have the information forwarded to the WMS, directly from that location and by the time they return to their office, the information is updated in the WMS and is ready for use. For example, when a worker gets an updated physical, the doctor's office faxes the cover sheet to the WMS 24-hour document center and the file is automatically uploaded before the worker even returns to the job site.
[0121] The end user has complete access to the workers files via the web, in a secure environment. The end user could review the document for verification, review the status of the document, and print, email or fax it anywhere, anytime. If the user is unable to access the web, he or she can call an 800 number, provide a password and direct the 24-hour Document Center to fax or email anywhere any documents.
[0122] The exemplary, non-limiting WMS can identify, accumulate, store, track, disseminate and update documents. The WMS tracks what paperwork has been printed. When the end user adds workers to a job and go to disburse the required documents for the workers, WMS knows what has been previously sent. The end-user can select to distribute only documents that have not been sent or the user can select to redistribute the entire file.
[0123] For example, this exemplary functionality may be accomplished by simple check boxes such as print entire job file, print only new documents, or view selected workers. If the user already printed the documentation and the job required five additional workers, the system will show which documents have been printed, and the user can simply request to print the unprinted documentation or the user can print the entire job again. All of these options apply to faxing and emailing as well. The WMS includes a capability to print from a cell phone by, for example, dialing in the job number, employee number and the fax number to receive the document(s) needed.
[0124] WMS job file has an “update list” that allows the end user to define who should be updated throughout the job. It can be turned on or off for each recipient and it controls how the information will be distributed. When a worker has been added to a job or their documentation has been updated, the user selects “update” and the WMS checks the records and forwards the new documents. By setting the update to automatic, the WMS will send document updates every time a document is updated for that job without the end user having to do anything. If the end user would rather do this manually, the end user can turn off the automatic setting and then when needed select “update” for all or only specific recipients on the list. Then files that have not been sent will be transmitted by fax, email or to a printer based on the recipient's predefined parameters.
[0125] The document distribution and review process allows for any or all documents that are stored to be printed, emailed, faxed and reviewed using any criteria. For example, anywhere there is a “document” icon, the end user can double click the icon and the workers documents are displayed on the screen in a separate window for review, without losing the current place in the application the user was working in. In addition, the user can drill-down into any worker's document or file to review and research the information.
[0126] In this illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, the information is presented to the user in a hierarchical approach, where the user is provided with a general overview, and the user may select the desired item and view details for that item, next the user may select sub-item and view details for this sub-item and so on.
[0127] When the user selects a worker via a navigation action such as rolling the mouse pointer over the worker's icon or clicking on the icon, the user is presented with items that are expired or incomplete within the worker file, thus eliminating the need to change screens to find out what documents are showing incomplete or expired. The WMS system either shows the information as being fully cleared, where the issuing body had been contacted and the document confirmed for authentication, or semi-cleared in those cases where only the date was verified. The documents may employ a color border, or some other visual means, to distinguish the various levels of certification, verification, non-certification, or expiration. When WMS uploads the files, the WMS will enter and lock the dates so they cannot be changed without a security access code. This allows for a safe, secure and reliable storage of documents.
[0128] Moreover, there are a number of ways to monitor documents within the WMS to verify or even allow documents to leave the WMS system. These controls can be put in place with or without the knowledge of the lower level staff. For example, while email distribution is one of the best methods to send files, there could be security issues. Therefore, the WMS has secure methods of monitoring emails. These exemplary methods are explained herein below.
[0129] For example, only an authorized administrator will have access to email distribution. For further security, the WMS can prevent any emailed documents from leaving the system prior to an entry of a password. Then, upon an authorized individual's approval, the document would be forwarded to the recipient. When the administrator emailed a job file of workers documents, it would send an email request for release to a predefined management person. The manager would then enter an access code releasing the documents. This procedure has been set up to ensure no documents leave the site without the proper authorization or knowledge of the management. If the end user is unable to release an important email because they are away from the web, the WMS 24 hour Document Center can assist. With a simple phone call to the Document Center and a series of verifications, the end user can have the documents released from anywhere.
[0130] If security is not a big concern and the end user wants everyone to have total access, but also wants to know when certain documents are transferred to others, the following functionality can be implemented. WMS can send an email alert to the management every time a document has been printed, emailed or faxed. The WMS may also send a notification anytime a certain size file was printed, faxed or emailed. The WMS may have a log page that allows the end user to access the dispatched records. This log will monitor printing, emails, and faxes, and tell the user who and what was dispatched.
[0131] As a result, an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, allows for a number of functionalities to facilitate document management including input, distribution, updates and access. These exemplary functionalities allows for managing workers such as analyzing and reviewing of document expiration dates. In addition, the end user can track, monitor and schedule updates for the documents of certain workers. These functionalities for document and worker management are always available via the web. The documents are stored in a storage such as a database, thereby allowing a number of various searches based on numerous customized criteria.
[0132] In addition, in order to facilitate upload of documents into the system, barcodes specifying the document's location in the system's storage and metadata can be used. Scanning with barcodes facilitates uploading a large amount of documents into the system. In addition, the validity of the document can be verified by users with different clearance levels. Some of these exemplary functionalities are also applicable to the other categories described below.
[0133] B. Information Exchange and Web Security
[0134] With the use of passwords and certificates, documents are secure. Each subscribing company is set up on its own database to ensure that no matter what kind of situation occurs, a subscribing organization could not find its way into another company's files. A user and a community of users in a one to one or one to many relationship can exchange information with each other seamlessly while enabling each user to choose the information they want to distribute, just as if they where submitting the information by paper, email attachments, web page portal or any other means. Moreover, to ensure the security of the sensitive content, selective encryption is used during the data exchange. In particular, the user specifies which fields (e.g., the social security number) should be encrypted during the transfer. By not encrypting the information that is unnecessary to secure, the system limits the size and complexity of the data that is being transmitted, allowing information to be transmitted faster while maintaining the security of the transmitted data.
[0135] The Information Exchange (IE) functionality eliminates the need for the recipient to manually extract data from the sources in order to enter the data into a database, IE automatically enters the data into the recipient's database. With the development of IE, the user may dispatch information and supporting documentation (ISD) to one or more users electronically, enabling the recipients to receive, view and accept all or parts of the information. The accepted ISD may be saved directly into the receiving database. Each user has control over the ISD in their individual database. When information is received they can choose to accept or reject the data and can even create new fields to accept new types of information. The user has control over what information is sent to other users and what information is accepted into their own database. IE empowers the world to exchange any information and supporting documentation by any user and community of users quickly and easily.
[0136] IE also enables the user to review ISD before accepting it. IE displays information in full before loading it into the user's database. The user has the opportunity to confirm the mapping of information and to accept or reject specific fields or supporting documentation. In addition, IE's Smart Management, a standard component of the IE process, allows the user to manage the information and supporting documents through color codes and smart alert rules that have been established by each user to manage common information between users in the industry.
[0137] C. Job and Worksite Management
[0138] Moreover, the exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention allows for management of the documents required for a certain job (some of these functionalities were explained herein above in the document and worker management section). The job and worksite management allows for management of the job and skill requirements, costs and scheduling. Job Management is an easy to use tool that allows the end user to track budget information, comparing scheduled information to actual information, through one data entry screen.
[0139] Job Management allows for records to be tracked by each job a worker has been assigned to. The Job Management module allows for real-time tracking of scheduled events and the worker cost associated with the project. In addition, it allows scheduled information to be compared to actual information when the payroll module is utilized. The cost reporting shows actual labor cost as they are assigned while also showing the budgeted cost. This functionality provides with information regarding costs of the job in relation to the budget.
[0140] In addition, budgeted and actual information can be entered into the Job Management fields to give the end user a complete Job Cost system. One of the many advantages of the exemplary WMS is that as workers are scheduled a cost is calculated in real-time covering predefined burdens. This allows the end user to identify over-scheduling and projects that are behind or ahead of their budget before the work is done.
[0141] The WMS shows the end user workers' schedules including but not limited to how many hours the worker has been assigned for a particular day or week and which workers were not assigned for that or another particular day or week. The end user can view the schedule for the upcoming week, and which worker has been assigned to which job, how many hours the workers have been assigned for, and view worker availability in the list until they have been assigned to 40 hours (or any defined number of hours) and for which job(s). Once the worker has reached a set number of hours, the name of this worker is no longer on the list of available workers.
[0142] The worker name or the table cell in which the worker's name appears can be color coded based on their availability. For example, worker name, or cell in which the name appears, will turn one color once they have been assigned for forty hours (or another predefined number set by the end user) and another color if they have been assigned overtime. In addition the end user will be able to view the totals including hours assigned for the week, regular hours, overtime hours, the cost (based on worker's wage or job certification wage) and percentage of staff assigned. As a result, staffing a job is easy and efficient. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that other variations are possible including color coding various user interface representations such as the text or the actual field value, the cell of a table, a symbol, an icon and so on.
[0143] Moreover, with all the different paperwork requirements on a job site, it is hard for the user to remember all the details. This exemplary WMS checks the job requirements and dispatches the necessary documents. The illustrative system allows the end user to pull up a job and select via a navigation action, print, email or fa