Sap Ag

Sap Se

Guenter Huber

Thomas Vogt

Wolfgang Kalthoff

Guido Hoeckele

Beate Koch

System and method to manage external data in a product creation process is provided. The method comprises receiving a first product structure from a central module, storing the first product structure in the data storage system, performing, evaluations on the first product structure and storing results of the evaluations in the data storage system. The results of the evaluations are transmitted to a central module.

External evaluation processes

Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for sharing information. The technique includes defining a stored data set maintained by a first entity to include a locked data set and an unlocked data set, and providing a second entity with access to the stored data set. The second entity has permission to view the locked data set and to change only the unlocked data set.

Collaborative design process

Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for managing data. The technique includes defining a secondary data set in a primary data set, linking the secondary data set to state information of the primary data set, transmitting the secondary data set to an external entity, receiving a modified secondary data set from the external entity and linking the modified secondary data set to a version of the primary data set stored with reference to state the information. The state information defines the state of the primary data set at the time the secondary data set is defined. The link between the modified secondary data set and the primary data set allows access by a user of a modified primary data set if the primary data set has changed with reference to the state information.

Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for managing change. The technique includes changing an object of a product creation process and accumulating the change without changing a baseline of a product structure associated with the product creation system if the change to the object is a soft change.

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Oberkirch, Germany

Guenter Huber