GB2262369A - Database management. - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for generating updated forecast tables for controlling the various cost parameters of a project. The apparatus includes databases for storing the cost parameters (eg: ledger information, payroll data etc) of a project, and project tables to assist in budget forecasting. A retrieval circuit (6) continuously monitors input of data and automatically retrieves the data without user intervention for updating of a project table (2). <IMAGE>

Description

"Non-synchronised data control" The invention relates to an apparatus for overcoming the problems of non-synchronisation of data in an apparatus having a plurality of databases, for example, one for project forecasting.

In apparatus' such as that described in European Patent Specification No. 33,564 (Dag) for processing project or production data, the data is received in an inherently synchronised manner according to real time. In such apparatus, the problem of non-synchronisation of data does not occur. However, in some apparatus' such as those for project forecasting such non-synchronisation of data is a serious problem.

Conventionally, before a project is initiated, a detailed budget is prepared which indicates project progress and cost for each of a set of stages of the project. For example, in a project which is to take three years, a detailed breakdown of forecast progress and costs for each of the 36 months may be prepared and stored on an apparatus when budgeting for the project. Such budgets present a clear picture of what is forecast for a project.

A problem with using such a budget is that actual progress of the project while the project is underway is difficult to monitor because different types of data are received at different times, sometimes lagging several weeks, or even months behind the real time. Heretofore, because synchronisation is inherent to data processing, all of the data for a particular time period has been initially synchronised by being stored together when all of it becomes available. This involves lengthy batch processing operations which can interfere with processing required for other aspects of a project. Further, the actual data which is available is only as up-to-date as the least up-to-date data which has been received for generation of the actual data. This can often lead to a considerable time lag and resulting losses in a project, for example, in payment of excessive interest charges.Information is of vital importance to project managers so that decisions can be taken to correct time lags or excessive cost spending in projects.

The invention is directed towards providing an apparatus which helps to overcome the above problems of non-synchronisation of data and which does so in a way which requires a relatively even distribution of processing power over a project duration.

According to the invention, there is provided an apparatus for controlling non-synchronised data comprising: a plurality of stored project forecasting tables, each table having a plurality of units each associated with a unit of project time, each unit storing project progress data for the associated time unit; a plurality of project databases, each storing data for a specific project parameter for all projects, the databases being un-synchronised; a data inputter for loading of external data into the project databases; an automatic retrieval circuit comprising means for monitoring data input to the project database and for automatically retrieving inputted data; a project monitoring circuit connected to the retrieval circuit and comprising means for detection of the project associated with the data and for inserting a project table address with the data; a counter connected to the project databases and having means for continuously monitoring the current database time period, a counter register for each database indicating the time period, means for determining a unit address for the associated table according to the relationship between the table time units and the database time periods, and means for inserting the unit address in the retrieved data; and a table updating circuit connected to the project tables and to the counter for transmitting the retrieved data to the associated units in the table.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a table reading circuit comprising means for retrieving data in a unit identified by the counter, and a table processing circuit comprising means for processing the retrieved data and transmitting the processed data to the table updating circuit 11 for storage in the table.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows an apparatus of the invention for control of non-synchronised data.

Referring to the drawing, there is illustrated an apparatus 1 for control of non-synchronised data. The apparatus 1 comprises a table 2 relating to a particular project. A number of such tables are stored in the apparatus. In this case, the table 2 which is illustrated is for a project "A".

The table 2 comprises a number of units, each associated with a project time unit. There are n columns and m rows so that the total number of units is m x n. For example, there may be 36 units in total, each unit associated with one month of a project which takes three years, n being 12 and m being 3.

The important point is that the time units are associated with project time and not necessarily with a calendar time period.

A unit 3 is illustrated in detail in the drawing and includes stored forecast data which would be displayed opposite lists of actual data so that they may be easily compared. The forecast data may include the forecast for the number of employees required on a project for the time unit, the costs incurred for the time unit, and progress of the project at the end of the time unit. The forecast data is pre-programmed and forms an integral part of the apparatus 1.

In addition, the apparatus 1 comprises a number of databases 4, each of which stores data of a particular type for all of the projects. For example, the database 4(a) may store a general ledger, the database 4tub) a debtors ledger, the database 4(c) payroll data, and the database 4(d) cash receivable data. The important point is that each database stores data of a particular type and is not specific to a particular project. Such databases are conventional and are used for many project management systems. An inputter 5 for inputting of external data to the databases 4 is shown. This may comprise simply a keyboard or alternatively a leased line and modem for connection with a computer system.

The apparatus 1 also includes an automatic retrieval circuit 6 which includes capture circuits to continuously monitor the input lines to the databases 4 to detect input of data from the inputter 5. When data is loaded into one of the databases 4 the retrieval circuit 6 automatically retrieves it from the database. The retrieval circuit 6 is connected to a project monitoring circuit 7 which reads data retrieved from the databases to identify the project and for generating an address for the table associated with the project. The project monitoring circuit 7 is connected to a counter 8 which is constructed to monitor the current time period for each of the databases 4. In general, each project database will have a time period of one month re-settable at the end of each calendar year. Thus, in the embodiment illustrated, the database 4(a) is on month three (i.e. March), the database 4(b) is receiving data from month five, for database 4(c) in month two and for database 4(d) in month four. These differences arise from the fact that there are considerable differences in the time lags for reception of different types of data. For example, there may be a time lag of up to three months before payments issue for goods supplied, depending on credit terms arranged while data relating to materials received for a project will be up-to-date because there is no lag involved. The counter 8 is connected to a table reading circuit 9 which includes circuitry for reading the tables 2.

This is in turn connected to a table processing circuit 10 which has a microprocessor based circuit for carrying out various processing operations and this is in turn connected to a table updating circuit 11 which transmits data to the relevant tables on data buses 12.

In operation, external data is received at the inputter 5 and is loaded into the relevant database 4. This happens on an on-going basis and each database will generally be working at a different time period. For example, if the current time is June, one database may be receiving data for March because the data must be initially processed by categorising it beforehand. Once data is loaded into the databases 4, the retrieval circuit 6 detects this and automatically, without user intervention, retrieves the data from the database 4 and transmits it to the project monitoring circuit 7. The project monitoring circuit 7 reads the data and identifies the project associated with the data and inserts a pre-set address with the data and transmits the address together with the data to the counter 8.The counter 8 determines from the received signal from which database 4 the data was retrieved, and identifies the counter level for that particular database and determines the time unit of the relevant table 2 associated with that time period. For example, if the current time is June 1991 and the forecast time for the project is 36 months, each time unit is one month, and the project began in August 1990, the current time unit for the table 2 is eleven. The counter 8 transmits the data together with the table address and the time unit number to the table reading circuit 9 which reads data from the relevant table unit and transmits this to the table processing circuit 10 which carries out any processing operations which are needed. Such processing operations may include categorisation of the data into a particular category for insertion in the table according to various parameters.The table updating circuit 11 then transmits the processed data to the relevant table unit for storage.

It will be appreciated that the forecasting table for each project will be kept up-to-date immediately with all data as it is being received. Thus, for the current time unit not all of the data will be received but whatever data is available is inserted in the table. This allows project decisions to be made using the most up-to-date information available. As all of the data becomes available for particular time units, say three months later, there is no need to carry out lengthy and complex batch processing operations to generate all data for the unit as it is simply necessary to insert the last data to be received in a simple manner so that the unit is complete.

Data retrieved from the table may be displayed simply with direct comparison shown between actual forecast figures for different parameters of a project and where that is not available this is indicated. This is extremely important to assist in making decisions during a project.

What has been achieved by the invention is the overcoming of problems caused by lack of synchronisation of data. The importance of the invention must be considered in view of the fact that available data processing circuits operate on the principle of data synchronisation.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described, but may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims (3)

ClAIMS

1. An apparatus for controlling non-synchronised data comprising: a plurality of stored project forecasting tables, each table having a plurality of units each associated with a unit of project time, each unit storing project progress data for the associated time unit; a plurality of project databases, each storing data for a specific project parameter for all projects, the databases being un-synchronised; a data inputter for loading of external data into the project databases; an automatic retrieval circuit comprising means for monitoring data input to the project database and for automatically retrieving inputted data; a project monitoring circuit connected to the retrieval circuit and comprising means for detection of the project associated with the data and for inserting a project table address with the data;; a counter connected to the project databases and having means for continuously monitoring the current database time period, a counter register for each database indicating the time period, means for determining a unit address for the associated table according to the relationship between the table time units and the database time periods, and means for inserting the unit address in the retrieved data; and a table updating circuit connected to the project tables and to the counter for transmitting the retrieved data to the associated units in the table.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a table reading circuit comprising means for retrieving data in a unit identified by the counter, and a table processing circuit comprising means for processing the retrieved data and transmitting the processed data to the table updating circuit 11 for storage in the table.

3. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.