Method for creating and maintaining a database for a dynamic enterprise

Claim 1

A method for creating and maintaining a data file in a data processing system having a data storage unit for an enterprise defined by a plurality of subjects subject to events to be memorialized, comprising the steps of: establishing in said data storage unit a data record token structure of a single predefined format for the subjects and events to be memorialized, said token structure having a fixed location for identification data for the subject to which the token relates and a plurality of locations for recordation of subject dimension data in the form of association and aspect information affiliated with said subject and said event; entering and permanently storing a data token record for each of said subjects of said structure bearing subject and dimension data for the subject of the token with reference to an initial state upon said data storage unit by writing said data onto said data storage unit in the form of a fixed length data record having predefined locations thereon for said subject and dimension data, said record including a first data location for receipt of data corresponding to the time of writing the data onto the storage unit and a second data location for receipt of data corresponding to the time of creation of the subject of the data record having the association and aspect information to be recorded; writing onto said first data location the time of writing of the data onto the storage unit; creating a new token of said predefined format for one of said subjects bearing subject and dimension data corresponding to a subsequent event in which said token subject is a participant, said data including data corresponding to the occurrence time of the event; and updating said data file by storing therein said new token data, including said occurrence time data, in said fixed length record form without destroying previously stored tokens for said subject and by writing into the data record for said new token data reflecting the time of writing said new token data upon the storage unit.

Claim 2

A method for creating and maintaining a data file in a data processing system having a data storage unit for an enterprise defined by a plurality of subjects subject to events to be memorialized, comprising the steps of: establishing in said data storage unit a data record token structure of a single predefined format for the subjects and events to be memorialized, said token structure having a fixed location for identification data for the subject to which the token relates and a plurality of locations for recordation of subject dimension data in the form of association and aspect information affiliated with said subject and said event; entering and permanently storing a data token record for each of said subjects of said structure bearing subject and dimension data for the subject of the token with reference to an initial state upon said data storage unit by writing said data onto said data storage unit in the form of a fixed length data record having predefined locations thereon for said subject and dimension data, said record including a first data location for receipt of data corresponding to the time of writing the data onto the storage unit and a second data location for receipt of data corresponding to the time of creation of the subject of the data record having the association and aspect information to be recorded; writing onto said first data location the time of writing of the data onto the storage unit; creating a new token of said predefined format for one of said subjects bearing subject and dimension data corresponding to a subsequent event in which said token subject is a participant, said data including data corresponding to the occurrence time of the event; and updating said data file by storing therein said new token data, including said occurrence time data, in said fixed length record form without destroying previously stored tokens for said subject and by writing into the data record for said new token data reflecting the time of writing said new token data upon the storage unit.