A METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING A HOMOGENEOUS ELECTRONIC CATALOG

摘要

A method for constructing an electronic homogenous catalog database from a plurality of separate suppliers catalog databases, including performing in respect of each separate supplier catalog, the following steps. First, linking the homogeneous database to the supplier database using a communication protocol. Next, mapping selected fields in the supplier catalog database to corresponding fields in the homogenous catalog database. The fields include "field type" fields, "property type" fields and "category type" fields. Next, mapping category values in the supplier catalog database to corresponding category values in the homogenous catalog database. Next, mapping property values in the supplier catalog database to corresponding property values in the homogenous catalog database. Finally, transferring data contained in the fields from said supplier catalog database to the homogenous catalog database.