TIMESHARED ELECTRONIC CATALOG SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

A system and method for providing a timeshared electronic catalog is disclosed. The system comprises an electronic database having a plurality of data records that comprise a master data set. The system comprises at least a first and second subset of the data records, wherein each subset comprises one or more data records selected from the master data set. The system includes a software programs comprising a data record masking module for selectively providing a first view for displaying one of the subsets to a first user. Each of the plurality of data records contains a plurality of data elements, or fields, or attributes. The data record masking module is further for selecting which data elements are provided in the view. The system further includes a means for selectively providing which executable features from a plurality of executable features may be provided with each view. Computer system (50) includes a computer having a central processing unit (52), coupled to memory (54, 56) and to one or more permanent storage devices (58) enabling program (200) installed on the computer system and controls its operation to facilitate the functionality provided by the present invention.