MXPA00004106A - Open-architecture system for real-time consolidation of informatin from multiple financial systems - Google Patents

Abstract

An open-architecture system automatically consolidates information from a plurality of financial systems into a single accounting system without the need for expensive and time-consuming backroom procedures. The system enables an entity to use multiple independent and potentially incompatible financial systems to facilitate, control and monitor its spending, purchasing and other financial activitives, while also enabling the entity to monitor and control all of these activities in real time. The system receives, processes and stores information obtained from a plurality of financial and/or other external computerized systems, and provides one or more authorized users with the ability to monitor financial transactions on-line and manipulate and control all financial transactions of the entity in real time using, for example, Web-browser software technology. Different users may have different levels of access to the financial transaction data obtained, processed and stored by the system. The system may also be readily integrated with the entity's existing computer systems.

Description

OPEN ARCHITECTURE SYSTEM FOR REAL TIME CONSOLIDATION OF INFORMATION OF MULTIPLE FINANCIAL SYSTEMS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is concerned with an open architecture system for consolidating information from a plurality of independent computer systems, such as computerized financial systems and providing online access to and management and reporting of consolidated information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For a large-scale financial identity (such as a corporation, business conglomerate, governmental organization or other large organization) effective and accurate verification and control of the financial activities of its divisions, departments and employees may require an investment substantial resource. In general, different types of financial transactions of the entity are carried out, controlled and verified with different independent computerized financial systems. Each independent financial system can be put into operation on a different, possibly incompatible, computer platform. For example, travel purchases transactions of an entity can be facilitated by an insurance company.

REF .: 119733 large credit cards such as American Express® using the American Express computer system. The purchase of provisions from the entity can be facilitated through a separate computer system, operated independently, such as a Visa® credit card program offered by a bank. Cash expenses can be recorded and processed manually or facilitated through yet another independent financial system that supports ATM capabilities. The payroll of the entity can be facilitated by yet another independent computer system. Payments to contractors and service providers can be facilitated by yet another independent system. The larger and more diverse the financial operations of the entity, the more independent financial systems can be used to facilitate, control and verify its various operations. The transactions carried out by each independent system can be periodically reported to the entity, for example in the form of a printed account statement or computerized listing of all transactions carried out in a certain period of time. Thus, in order to verify and control its extensive financial transactions for a given period of time, the entity must consolidate the reports received from each independent system. The consolidation process may require an investment of substantial time and resources by the entity. For example, in order to analyze and use financial transaction information gathered from multiple computerized financial systems, an entity can create a large accounting department of employees to manually consolidate and process all the information of the various internal and external systems. The consolidation process (also known as "analytical laboratory" processing) can be carried out with the assistance of a computerized system that processes and stores financial information from different internal and external computer systems, for example, as input by employees Of the entity. Thus, large and diverse entities frequently invest substantial resources in manual or computer-assisted consolidation or both in order to have and consolidate into a. usable format the necessary financial data to verify and manage expenses and purchases. The entity's reliance on periodic reports generated through multiple independent systems also makes it virtually impossible for the entity to verify its extensive transactions of expenditures, purchases and other financial transactions online as transactions are processed and settled by each independent system. The periodic reporting functions of the independent systems inevitably create delays in the reception by the entity of the information reported by the independent systems. further, the process of consolidating the necessary financial records to provide an extensive financial report for the entity at a given time of multiple independent systems may require a partial amount of time and effort, effectively preventing the verification in real time of the activities of expenses and purchases in the entity. In addition, any changes in transaction authorizations, such as spending limits on purchasing transactions, can be communicated to the operator of each independent system for implementation, creating delays in the entity's ability to control its financial transactions. In view of the disadvantages described above, there is a need for a system that allows the consolidation, verification and easy control in real time of the financial transactions of the entity as they are carried out by several independent computerized systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention offers an open architecture system for automatically consolidating information from a plurality of financial systems to a single system without the need for expensive and time-consuming analysis laboratory procedures. The system according to the present invention allows an entity to use multiple independent and potentially incompatible financial systems to facilitate, control and verify its expenditures, purchases, intra-entity transfers (where the funds are transferred between divisions or departments in the entity at create compensation or counterpart entries in the budgets of each division or department) and other financial activities, while also allowing the entity to verify and control these activities in real time. The system according to the present invention can therefore be easily integrated into the existing operations of an entity. The open architecture system according to the present invention receives, processes and stores information obtained from a priority of financial systems and / or other computerized systems and provides, via ber programming element technology, to one or more authorized users with verification , management and online reporting of financial accounts and transactions carried out by financial systems. Different users can have different levels of access to information processed and stored by the system.

The system according to the present invention provides an entity with the ability to manage and control in real time financial transaction capabilities at an individual account level or "card carrier" level, at a group level (in which a plurality of individual accounts are included) and at a global level (which includes all accounts in the entity). Administration and control functions at the individual, group and global levels can include: adding one or more new individual accounts to allow authorization of purchases, establish spending limits and expense classifications for new and / or existing accounts, establish "merchants" "authorized or sources from which account holders can make purchases or carry out and / or carry out other types of financial transactions according to the needs of the entity. Additionally, the system according to the present invention provides the management or administration of transactions in real time at individual, group and global levels. By having access to electronic account transaction information of financial systems such as purchasing organizations, the system according to the present invention provides the ability to track the purchasing activities and expenses of individuals, of separate groups or all of the online entity and generate electronic financial statements in real time, invoices, inspections, decision support, alarms and controls. The system can also allow the reconciliation of transactions, where, for example, an individual introduces an attempt to carry out a transaction given in advance (for example, making a plane reservation) and then enters the actual transaction (for example, the purchase of the plane ticket) to the system. The system automatically compares and reconciles the two entries. After accessing the individual's account using the system, transactions that do not match can be displayed or indicated. Matching transactions can be automatically reconciled and certified by the system. The system according to the present invention also allows the automatic settlement of transactions in real time to the buying and selling entities and provides functions of reimbursement of expenses to employees through transaction management interfaces. The systems can also provide tracking of all transactions carried out by an individual or group in the systems. These tracking capabilities, settlement and reporting in real time and online allow an entity to verify, manage and control transactions of purchases, expenses and other financial transactions of the entity at multiple levels as desired by the entity and offers the potential to greatly reduce the expensive manual requisition and analysis laboratory processes. The elements and components of the system according to the present invention can be implemented using programming elements, physical elements or a combination thereof. In addition, the elements of system components may be implemented with a single computer, multiple computers in a distributed network or any appropriate configuration of programming elements, physical elements or both as may be evident to those of skill in the art. - An open architecture system for consolidating financial systems of an entity according to the present invention includes the following elements: An element of network services and access gate that allows communication between the open architecture system and one or more systems of independent computers; An element of data warehouse services that organizes and stores the data generated, received and processed by the open architecture system. The data stored in this element may include information obtained from independent computer systems, entry of information by one or more users, existing computer system information of the entity and / or information obtained from internet sources; An application services element that processes and formats incoming and outgoing data and provides server-based connectivity and application-based interaction with the independent computer systems and any existing computer systems of the entity; A network service element that provides user access to the information stored and obtained by the system via one or more remote terminals, for example using scanning programming element technology. The network services element also allows the transmission of requests or requests for data, commands- or control commands, requests or requests for data and reports between the system and the remote terminal according to the user level of the user. security or access level. The network service element may also include an internet server to provide internet access capabilities, for example. To allow users to carry out purchases and other transactions via the internet and A communication network in the open architecture system that allows communication between the network and the access door services element, elements of data warehouse services and application service elements and the network services element. The system according to the present invention can be integrated with the existing computerized business systems of the entity, for example, by means of data exchange, with personnel systems, accounting and / or other computerized systems already in place in the entity. Access to the user and the ability to alter the financial information stored and obtained by the system can be controlled by various security systems as are known to those of skill in the art. - The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 provides a block diagram of the elements of a preferred embodiment of the open architecture system for the consolidation of information from multiple financial systems in accordance with the present invention.

Figure IA provides a block diagram of the elements of a preferred embodiment of an open architecture system for the consolidation of information from a priority of financial systems according to the present invention, which includes a service access terminal to the optional customer. Figure IB provides a block diagram of the elements of a preferred embodiment and the existing system components of Figure 1. Figure 2 provides a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a gateway element and network services for use in the system illustrated in Figure 1. - Figure 3 provides a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a data warehousing services element for use in the system illustrated in Figure 1. Figure 4 provides a diagram of blocks of a preferred embodiment of an application services element for use in the system illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 provides a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a network service element for use in the system illustrated in FIG. Figure 1. Figure 6 provides a block diagram of a communications network that includes a plurality of financial systems and the consolidation system illustrated in n Figure 1. Figure 7 provides a block diagram of a method used to obtain financial transaction data in response to a user input carried out by the system illustrated in Figure 1. Figure 8 provides a block diagram of a preferred method for modifying financial transaction data in response to a user input carried out by the system illustrated in Figure 1. Figure 9 provides a block diagram of a preferred method of reconciling transaction attempts and transactions carried out with performed by the system illustrated in Figure 1-.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided as illustrative examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention. Notably, the present invention is a new combination of known components and can be increased by using programming elements, physical elements or any combination thereof, as may be apparent to those of skill in the art. Similar numbers in the drawings refer to similar elements. Figure 1 provides a block diagram of the functional elements of a system 100 for consolidating information from financial systems in accordance with the present invention. The system 100 includes an access door element 101 and network services. A data warehousing services element 102, an application services element 103 and a network service element 104. A communication network 107, which may include wired and / or wireless communications links, link elements 101, 102, 103 and 104. The system 100 communicates with one or more independent computer systems, represented in Figure 1 as systems 106 and .112, via a communications network 105. Financial systems 106 and 112 can represent such computer systems as credit card networks, automatic accounting networks, electronic bank networks and electronic banking systems, governmental financial networks and Other types of electronic commercial networks and systems by means of which an entity conducts transactions of purchases, expenses, billing, payment or receipt of credit and other financial transactions.

As described above, the system 100 can be easily used to integrate computerized accounting, human resources and other systems already in use by the entity. These existing systems are represented by the element 130 in Figure 1. The communication network 105 may comprise one or more wired analogue or digital communication links, digital or analogue wireless communication links, any combination thereof and other means for establishing and putting communication links into operation as may be known in the art. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, one or more remote access desktops, represented in Figure 1 as well as remote terminal 110, may be coupled to the network service element 104 of the system 100 via a communication link 109. . The distant terminal 110 provides the user with access to the system 100, allowing users access to information, administration accounts, control expenses and other accounting activities, requests reports and carries out other functions or tasks. The functionality available to each user via the remote terminal 110 can be adapted according to the needs of the entity and / or the user. In a preferred embodiment, the tasks and functions that can be carried out by a user are determined by the end user's level of access authorization to the system 100. The remote terminal 110 can have access to the system 100 using for example technology element of scanning programming and other electronic access methods as may be known to those of skill in the art. In an embodiment of the present invention in which distant terminals have access to the system 100 using scanning technology, financial reports and other information displayed to the end user by remote terminals can be displayed using techniques for formatting known network pages. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the communication link 109 is linked to the remote terminal 110 to the network service element 104 of the system 100. The link 109 can be a wired link, for example, a telephone line, cable coaxial, digital data line or a wireless link, for example, a radiofrequency or infrared communication link. The communication link 109 may also comprise a combination of wired and / or wireless links between systems 100 and the far terminal 110. An optional service access terminal 120, as shown in FIG. IA, may comprise the physical elements. and / or programming elements necessary to provide the access tools to allow the representatives of the customer services using the desktop 120, to provide customer service to program traffic carriers, purchasing organizations, administrators and merchants. The customer service access terminal 120 preferably provides the components needed to access system functionality 100 and data connectivity to external systems 106 and 112. The customer service access terminal 120 can be connected to the system 100. via network service element 104. In an alternative mode (not shown), the terminal 120 for accessing customer services can be connected directly to the communication network 107 within the system 100 or connected to the system via the access door and network service elements 101. The financial transaction data transmitted in the financial systems 106 of the system 100 may include purchase transaction data and expenditures, account information data and any additional data desired by the entity implementing the system 100. The system 100 may further provide capabilities of access, manipulation and modification with respect to any computerized data maintained by the database deposit element 102 or any external system (for example 106, 112 and / or 130). Figure IB provides a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the existing system component 130 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure IB the component 130 of the existing systems includes a general ledger system 131 and a plurality 131 of division systems represented by elements 132, 133 and 134. The general ledger system 131 can maintain the entity's global financial records, while the division systems maintain respectively the financial records of divisions of the entity. The financial transactions maintained by the general ledger system 131 and division systems 132, 133 and 134 may include financial transactions carried out internally between two or more divisions in the entity, as well as financial transactions carried out between the entity and third parties. parts. The system 100 can be implemented to track, store and reconcile the financial transaction data maintained by the general ledger system 131 and division systems 132, 133 and 134 as described in detail hereinafter. Figure 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a gateway and network service element 101 for use in system 100 shown in Figure 1. This element 101 supports communication between systems 100 and financial systems 106 and 112 (shown in Figure 1). ) via the communications network 105. In addition, the element 101 also provides connectivity for other external interfaces of systems 100, such as interfaces to existing systems 130 (illustrated in Figure 1). Thus, the connectivity provided by the element 101 of network services and access gate allows the integration of the system 100 with the existing communicator systems of the entity. As illustrated in Figure 2, a preferred embodiment of a gateway element 101 and network services includes a register entry handler 201 for controlling the input and greeting functions between the system 100 and all external interfaces, which they include financial systems 106 and 112. The entry administrator 201 also performs security functions to prevent unauthorized internal and external access to system 100, for example using encryption techniques, password and / or other known security techniques. those of experience in the art. One or more access ports 202 of the systems network architecture ("SNA") 302 are used to transmit and receive electronic data and messages from the financial systems 106 and 112 and existing systems 130 via the communications network 105. The doors SNA access 202 can be configured using network access gate protocols as may be known in the art and the information necessary to indicate to the receiving system and complete data transfers with the receiving system is configured based on the protocols used by the systems 106, 112 and 130. The entry administration 201 provides control data to the SNA access ports 202 to control input, greeting and security functions. In a preferred embodiment, a network data manipulator or mover 203 may be implemented as an application within the element 101 that transfers files or files from system 100 to financial systems 106 and 112, existing systems 130 and other independent computer systems ( not shown). The network data mover 203 is programmed to provide commands or control commands to the SNA access ports 202 to establish sessions with these systems using session protocols known to those of skill in the art. The network data mover 203 also provides files or files for transfer to other systems and receives files or files transferred from other systems in accordance with procedures and commands or file transfer commands and / or preprogrammed file requests received from an administrator of session in application services element 103 (discussed later in this). The data files to be transferred to systems 106, 112 and / or 130 are also created and formatted by a processing 402 within the application services element 103 (discussed later herein). In a preferred embodiment, the application services element 103 requests a transfer procedure and transfers the data files to the network data mover 203. In response, the data network mover 203 formats the files for transfer to external systems using transmission protocols as may be known to those of skill in the art and transmits the files in format to the SNA access ports 202 for transfer to external systems (for example 106 and / or 112). As shown in Figure 3, a preferred embodiment of a data warehousing service item 202 for use in the system 100 of Figure 1 allows storage and retrieval of data locally administered within the system 100. As illustrated in FIG. Figure 3, the data warehouse services element 102 includes a database management system 301, such as an Oracle® relational database management system. The database administration system 301 is programmed to execute stored procedures necessary to support questions and account reports. The database administration system 301 also provides administration tools (such as programs and administration data) for database management and data extraction. At least one data base 302 is coupled to the database administration system 301 for storing master accounting data, control data and accounting data and transaction data and other current and historical data for the system 100. Notably, the Components included in the data warehouse service element 102 can be implemented using storage technologies as may be known in the art. Figure 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment of an application services element 103 for use in the system 100. The application services element 103 preferably includes a data processor 402 for processing the incoming transaction data and a data generator 401. reports to generate and add transaction data reports stored in response to an order received from a user and / or at predetermined intervals. The data processor 402 is programmed with application logic to process and format batch data uploads and downloads as is known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, if a file is to be sent to an external system, the data processor retrieves the required data from the data warehouse services element 102, formats the data according to predetermined format protocols such as known in the art and transmits the formatted file, via the communication network 107, to the network element 101 and gateway services for transfer to an external system. If a file is to be sent to the system 100 by an external system (for example 106 or 112) the file is received by the network service and gateway element 101 and sent to the data processor 402 via the network 107. The data processor reads and processes the received file and may for example store corresponding data in the data warehouse services element 102. Report generator 401 retrieves data from element 102 of data warehouse services for reporting purposes. Reports can be provided in response to a user request, for example, from the remote terminal 110 or automatically according to preprogrammed criteria (for example, periodically or when receiving certain data entries from an external financial system). In a preferred embodiment, users view a report generated by the report generator 401 at the network interface using scan schedule elements. In a preferred embodiment, when the report generator receives a request to generate a report, the report generator accesses the database 302 within the element 102 to retrieve the relevant data via the database management system 301. Depending on the request, the report generator can either format the data for display to the user via the network services element or provide the report to the database storage element 102 for storage and retrieval. A program of promotion elements such as Seagate ™ Cristallnfo ™ can be used as the programming elements of the report generator in the report generator 401. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the application services element 103 further comprises a session manager 403 for providing server-based session management for connections between system 100 and financial systems 106 and 112 and existing systems 130. A session consists of a series of commands or orders to carry. out a task. In a preferred embodiment, the session administrator 403 recognizes each command or command and performs the corresponding set of steps necessary to complete the task required by the command or command. For example, the commands or commands comprising a session between the system 100 and the financial system 106 may comprise identification commands between the system 100 and the financial system 106 (to authenticate the identity and separation of each system from each other), commands or orders to transfer a file, commands to process the file and an exit command. The session manager may preferably be programmed to perform session management tasks using any protocols and session management techniques as may be known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the session administrator 403 performs session handling by providing commands to the entry administrator 201, SNA access gate 202 and / or the network data mover 203 in element 101. In the mode Preferred shown in Figure 4, the session manager 403 is coupled to a browser 404. The browser 404 executes the functionality of the system 100 based on predetermined application or dynamic adapted logic, as may be known in the art. The dynamic application logic may for example allow automatic reconfiguration of the browser programming 404 as external systems are added or removed from the communications network 105. In a preferred embodiment, in response to a command or command received from the network service element 104, existing systems 130 or financial systems 106 and / or 112, the browser 404 applies its application logic to determine which steps are necessary to consummate the task required by the command or command and sends the appropriate commands or commands to the data warehouse element 102 and / or session administrator 403. For example, if a user enters a request for information at the remote terminal 110 or terminal 120 of customer services, the network service element 104 receives the command (as described in further detail hereinafter) and transmits it. to the browser 404. Then the browser 404 contacts the database management system 301 of the data warehouse element 102 to determine if the information required by the user is stored in the database 302. If so , the database administration system 301 provides the required information to the network service element 104 for transmission to the remote terminal 110 or terminal 120 of customer services. If the required information is not stored in the database 302, the database administration system 301 sends a signal to the browser 404 that the required information is not available in the database 302. Using its adapted application logic, the 404 browser can then determine which external systems should be contacted in order to obtain the required information and can provide access command signals to the corresponding source to the session administrator 403. The 404 browser can access several systems to complete an ordered task. Once it has been determined which external systems can be contacted to obtain the required information, the browser 404 provides command access signals corresponding to session administration 403, which initiates sessions with financial systems 106 and / or 112 or existing systems 130 via the element 101 according to the commands received from the browser 404. In a preferred embodiment, the information sent by the external systems as a result of these sessions, can be received by the item 101 read and processed by the processor 402, stored in the data warehouse element 102 and transmitted to the remote terminal 110 or customer service terminal 120 by the network service element 104. In this way, the system 100 can provide authorized users with online access to information stored in the database repository element 102 and all external systems connected to the network 105 (eg, 106, 112 and 130). The techniques and methods to carry out these functions are known to those of experience to the art. Another example of the operation of the browser 404 in a preferred embodiment involves an order to change an account expense limit entered by an authorized user in the remote terminal 110 or terminal 120 of customer services. In response to this command or order, the browser 404 may provide the new credit account limit information to the database deposit element 102 for storage within the system 100 and may also generate an order access signal so that the session administrator 403 initiates the sessions with the financial system 106, the financial system 112 and / or existing systems 130 to provide the new credit limit to the appropriate independent systems. The credit data is formatted by the processor 402 and the network data mover 203 and transmitted via the SNA access ports 202 to the external systems. In this way, the system 100 allows an authorized user of the system 100 to control the financial transactions of the entity carried out or facilitated by the external systems in real time. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the browser 404 can also be programmed to automatically initiate sessions periodically with the independent financial systems, for example 106 and 112 and / or existing systems 130, by means of the session administrator 403, with the In order to obtain financial information or other updated information for storage in the data warehouse element 102. As described above, session administrator 404 and browser 404 of application services element 103 preferably provide authorized users and customer service representatives with an interface to the independent systems 106, 112 and 130 and the ability to access , manipulating and modifying data stored in the data warehouse element 102. The users and / or the customer service representatives can initiate a variety of verification, control and update functions that are carried out in real time and also maintained by the system 100 in the database 302. For example, in a preferred mode, an authorized program administrator can establish individual accounts that include defined authorizations to carry out certain types of transactions. Authorized end users can carry out general account introductions to obtain balance information, pending information available, authorization information and transaction information. Authorized end users can maintain an account such as address changes, expense control changes, account hierarchy, account status (for example, open or closed), and submit supply requests (for example, for credit checks). traveler, convenience checks, etc). General Ledger accounting and transformation system functions can be used by authorized end users to define the default rules for transforming the cost center and general ledger information into transactions. Transaction verification and reconciliation solutions can (1) allow authorized end users to perform transaction verification in order to certify that transactions are accurate; (2) allow authorized end users to cancel predetermined cost centers or general ledger information; (3) allow authorized end users to dispute transactions in accordance with predefined rules and regulations and segment provision and (4) allow authorized end users to request copies of transaction records. Authorized end users can also require and schedule predefined reports and create and design new formats and reporting programs. - In a preferred embodiment, several additional functions and capabilities can be implemented. For example, a security management feature may be implemented in the session administrator 403 and / or browser 404 by programming according to the wishes of the client either of the one or the other of the components in order to establish user profiles and lead to perform maintenance functions and / or to restrict users to authorized functions within the system. The online help functions can provide users with simple online help in context and simple on the page. A row-in-process training feature can allow cardholders with accounts in the system to request card maintenance functions that are directed to a program coordinator. A program coordinator can use system 100 to identify new, pending and processed requests. A multiple product management feature can allow authorized users to manage multiple types of accounts, such as purchase card accounts, travel card account, freight card bills, interagency or interdepartmental accounts, and checking book accounts electronic. Users can also analyze data in detail by having access to increasingly detailed data sets. This "drilling" functionality gives users the ability to analyze complex data sets. These functions and capabilities, also as user-initiated or automated functionality, may be implemented by session administrator 403 and browser 404 as may be apparent to those of skill in the art. Figure 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a network service element 104 of system 100. Network service element 104 preferably supports a closed, secure intra-network that provides users with a graphical interface for account request, report and account maintenance to the customer service access terminal 120 and the far terminal 110. The network service element 104 preferably includes a network server 501 (e.g., an Oracle® server or secure internet server) that it serves network pages to a browser in a remote terminal 110 or terminal 120 for accessing customer services. The network server 501 also preferably provides a direct connection to the application services element 103 to process data access and maintenance requests. In a preferred embodiment, data access and maintenance requests entered by users are sent by the network server 501 to the browser 404, which carries out the task ordered according to the adaptadp application logic as described above with reference to Figure 4- In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in the figure , the network service element 104 further includes a mail server 512 to provide email reception and transmission services. The network service element 104 also preferably maintains the programming elements developed for network pages (used with the system 100) which include pages based on shapes and manipulator pages in ways that provide the graphic interfaces with the user for the request, report and account maintenance, for example 110 and the network server 501. Internet access can be provided by the optional internet server 504. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 5, a shield shield security module 503 provides security to the system 100. The shield shield security module 503 can provide shield security security for the system 100 using protocol techniques of safety as are known in the art. As shown in Figure 1, end users can have access to network service element 104 of system 100 using remote terminal 110 and communications link 109. In a preferred embodiment, remote terminal 110 is programmed with the programming elements necessary to communicate with the system 100 via a communication link 109 such as a closed intra-network of a remote PC or another terminal of the client's site, the PC can integrate elements of network browser programming, elements of electronic mail programming and a dial-up or dial-up network installation or equipment. The PC may also house the ability to export system 100 report datasets for local storage and off-line use. PC functionality can be implemented using programming elements and / or physical elements as may be known to those of skill in the art. With reference to Figure 6, system 100 can be incorporated into a communications network that includes a plurality of different types of external systems (such as financial systems 106 and 112 in Figures 1-5), each operating in one different system platform. For example, in the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 6, the system 100 is implemented in a network that includes a plurality of different financial systems such as a commercial transaction network 501, a network purchase system 620, a network 640 electronic data exchange ("EDI"), a 641 domestic account clearing network (ACH / WIRE), a 642 electronic check system, and a 620 customer service network (which allows facsimile connectivity, e-mail and phone to system 100). In a preferred embodiment shown in Figure 6, the commercial transaction network 601 may include for example a commercial point of sale terminal 610, a telephone system 611 in case the purchase is a telephone transaction and a freight system 612 in the event that the transaction is a government or business freight transaction. The commercial transaction network 601 may further include a commercial procurement system 613 for other types of transactions in which credit card systems 614 are included for external transactions and a billing settlement system 615 for internal transactions between divisions within a transaction. entity. In a preferred embodiment shown in Figure 6, the network-based shopping system 620 may include a travel system 630 and an electronic market 631, both linked to the system 100 and the commercial purchasing system 613. The travel system 630 and the electronic market can be for example network sites in which users can buy a variety of products and services, such as theater tickets or office supplies. In a preferred embodiment, the users of the system 100 can navigate to such network sites by means of the internet connection 504 provided in the network service element 104. The network service element 104 may also be programmed to provide users with predefined links to facilitate access to these network sites. According to another preferred embodiment illustrated in figure 6, transactions at commercial point of sale terminal 610 can be carried out using smart card technology as may be known to those of skill in the art. In a preferred embodiment shown in Figure 6, access to the smart card to the network is represented by the smart card element 650 connected to the commercial point of sale terminal 610. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the smart cards can be used to access the system 100. A remote terminal 110 with an optional optional smart card reader (shown as 660 in Figure 6) can use the data stored in smart cards to authorize the use of the system. The operation of the system 100 and its components as described above will now be described in further detail with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a method according to the present invention in which the system 100 obtains financial transaction data of one or more financial systems 106 and 112 in response to a user input. The method of Figure 7 includes the following steps. 701: A user enters a request for certain financial transaction data using the remote terminal 110 or the customer service terminal 120. 702: The request is transmitted to system 100 via link 109 and received via network server 501. 703: The network server 501 issues the request, via the communication link 107, to the browser 404 in the application services element 103. 704: The browser 404 contacts the database management system 301, via the communication link 107, to determine if the required information is available from the database 302. 705: If the required information is available in the database 302, the database administration system 301 retrieves the required data and provides it to the network server 501, via the communication link 107, for transmission to the far terminal 110. 706: If the database administration system determines that the required information is not stored in the data warehouse 102, the browser 404 generates a signal to access the source and transmits it to the administrator 403 of session (as described in detail above with reference to Figure 4). 707: The session administrator 403 generates a session request to initiate a session with one or more appropriate independent systems (that is, those capable of providing the required information) and generates a request for the information using a data format and protocol of predetermined transmission. 708: The gateway element 101 and network services transmits the request generated by the session administrator 403 to the independent systems (for example 106 and 112) via the communications network 105, in accordance with the addressing information generated by session administrator 403 709: After receipt of the request in the independent systems (for example, 106 and 112), the required information is collected and transmitted to the system 100 via the communications network 105. 710: The received information is received by the element 101, issued via the communication link 107 to the processor 402 in the element 103, read and formatted by the processor 402, is transmitted via the communication link 107 to the service element 102 data warehouse, stored in the database 302 under the control of the database administration system 301 and also transmitted via the communication link 107 to the server 501 of network to obtain format and for its translation to remote terminal 110 (or terminal 120 of customer services). 711: Then the network server 501 transmits the received data, via the communications network 105, to the remote terminal 110 and / or terminal 120 of customer services via the link 109. 712: The remote terminal 110 and / or terminal 120 of customer services, then shows the required data to the user. According to an alternative preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention (not shown), the browser 404 is programmed to automatically start a scrutiny operation of the financial systems 106 and 112 periodically, for example, hourly or daily, to update the data stored by the system 100 in the database storage element 102. In the counting operation, a request for transaction data is generated by the browser 404 and sent to the session administrator 403. In response, the session manager 403 generates a session request for transmission to the financial system 106 and 112 via the access door element 101 and network services. The information received from the external systems 106 and / or 112 is accessed in accordance with the method illustrated in FIG. 7, stored in the database 602 and transmitted to the remote terminal 110 (or client service terminal 120) by means of the 501 network explorer. According to an alternative preferred embodiment of the system of the present invention (not shown) the report generator 401 is programmed to automatically initiate a transaction data request, which is sent to the data and process repository element by the system 301 of database administration. The reports generated by the report generator 401 can be stored in the database 302, transmitted to the remote terminal 110 or terminal 120 of customer services via the network server 501 and / or transmitted to the system 106, 112 and / or 130, as illustrated in FIG. 7. In accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment to system of the present invention (not shown) each of the financial systems 106 and 112 is programmed to automatically transmit financial transaction data to the system 100 periodically, for example by sheet or daily, to update the information stored by the system in the database of data 302. - In accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the system of the present invention (not shown), financial transaction data may be obtained from financial systems 106 and 112 in any and / or all methods used in the modalities preferred ones described above or in other methods to obtain information as may be known in the art. Figure 8 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention in which an authorized user or customer service representative, using system 100, can create, edit and delete data stored in data warehouse element 106 and / and / or 106, 112 and 130. The method shown in Figure 8 includes the following steps: 801: An authorized user or customer service representative submits via the communications network 109, an electronic request to change an account credit limit to system 100 using the packet of browser programming elements installed in terminal 110 and far access or access terminal 120 of customer services. 802: The network service element 100 of the system 100 verifies the authorization of the end user. 803: The request of the user is transmitted, via the communication link 107 to the browser 404 and is processed by the browser 404, which sends the new credit account limit, via the communication link 107 to the data warehouse element 102, wherein the database administration system 301 directs them to be stored in the database 302. The new credit account limit is thus stored in the system 100. 804: In addition to sending the data of the new account limit of credit to the database deposit element 102, the browser 404 also generates commands or source access commands to the session administrator 403 to generate session requests to systems 106, 112 and / or 130 (and all external systems) that store credit account limit data). 805: The session administrator 403 generates session requests, which are transmitted to the systems 106 and 112 by means of network service element 101 and gateway using the communication network 105. 806: During a session, the element 101 transmits the data of the new credit account limit using the communications network 105 to the systems 106 and 112 where they are processed and stored. 807: Confirmation of receipt of the data of the new credit account limit is received by the element 101, via the communications network 105 and transmitted to the session administrator 303 using the communication link 107. 808: In response to the confirmation signal of element 101, the session administrator 403 transmits confirmations to the browser 404 and using the communication link 107, the network server 501. 809: In response to the confirmation signal received from session administrator 403, network server 501 transmits a confirmation signal to remote terminal 110 or client service terminal 120 using communication network 109.

The preferred method illustrated in Figure 8 allows an authorized user of the system to modify and thereby control the financial account information in real time. Similar processes can be carried out for other functions such as adding, modifying and / or deleting accounts by authorized users and customer service representatives. A preferred method for tracking, storing and reconciling financial transaction data for existing systems 130, as carried out by the system 100, is illustrated in Figure 9. The reconciliation functionality allows entry into the system of data indicating a attempt to carry out a financial transaction received at a future date and subsequent reconsideration of the proposed data with the corresponding financial transaction data when the financial transaction data is received by system 100, for example from systems 106 and / or 112 The system does correspond automatically and reconciles the two entries. After accessing an account stored by system 100, reconciled and unreconciled (not corresponding) transactions can be displayed. The tracking, storage and reconciliation of financial transaction data for existing systems 130 can be carried out by the following steps (with respect to the system diagram shown in Figure 1 and components of the existing systems shown in Figure IB). 901: A user enters financial transaction proposal data ("proposed data") into a division system (e.g. 132, 133 or 134) in component 130 of existing systems or to an external system such as system 106 or 112 The proposed entry indicates the user's intention to carry out a financial transaction defined on a given X date in the future. 902: The proposed data is transmitted to the gateway element 101 and network services and sent via the communication link 107 to the browser 404. The browser 404 processes the proposed data and sends the proposed request data via the link 107 of communications to the processor 402. 903: The processor 402 formats the proposed data to indicate that the data represents a transaction that will be carried out on the given date X and transmits the formatted data to the database deposit element 102 for its storage in database 302. The storage process for the proposed data is repeated as users enter proposed data into the division systems 132, 133 and 134.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, all proposed data entries representing transactions to be carried out on the same given date X are formatted by the processor 402 to include a date code or date flag corresponding to the date X given. 904: As the system 100 receives transaction data representing transactions that were carried out by the systems 106 and / or 112 on the given date X, the browser 404 transmits the transaction data from the date X to the processor 402. 905: The processor 402 processes the transaction data of the received date X and compares the transaction data of the received date X with the proposed data stored from the database 302 having a date code representing the date X. 906: If the transaction data of the received date X matches a stored data entry, the processor 402 states a "reconciled" code (eg, using a data flag or data field entry) to the entries of corresponding data and transmits the reconciled inputs to the data warehouse element 102 for storage in the database 302. The processor 402 may also optionally transmit the inputs of data reconciled to the corresponding division system (for example, 132, 133 or 134) of which the proposed data were received. 907: If the transaction data of the received date X does not match any of the proposed data entries stored in the database 302, the received date data of transaction X is assigned a code of "not reconciled" and is transmitted to the data warehouse element 102 for storage in the database 302. The processor 402 may also optionally transmit the input of unreconciled transaction data to the corresponding division system (e.g., 132, 133 or 134) for the which the transaction was carried out. 908: Processor 402 also makes a total of all transactions carried out on the given date X prepares a summary of transaction data for date X (for example, a total debit or credit amount for all transactions on the date X) transmits the summary to the data warehouse element 102 for storage in the database 302 and transmits the summary to the system 131 of the general ledger. As the new transaction data of the date X is received from the systems 106 and 112, the processor automatically updates the summary for the date X and transmits it to the data warehouse element 102 and the general ledger system 131. In this manner, the system 100 and the system 131 of the entity's general ledger keep an accurate accounting of the financial transactions of the entity as the transaction data is received by the system 100. In another preferred embodiment of the system of agreement With the present invention, the system 100 may periodically receive audit data from the external systems 106 and / or 112. The received audit data includes data corresponding to each transaction carried out by the external system 106 or 112. After reception of the audit data of the external systems 106 and / or 112, the processor 402 processes in the received audit data and compares the transactions described in the audit data with the reconciled and unreconciled transaction data stored in the item 101 of data warehouse and sent to the division systems 132, 133 and 134 and the general free system 131. Any discrepancies pu eden be automatically highlighted when accessing the corresponding accounts stored by system 100 using remote terminal 110, customer service terminal 120, general ledger systems 131 and / or division systems 131, 133 and / or 134. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the system and method of the present invention, the financial transaction and account data maintained by the system 100 in the data warehouse element 102 may include several account files, depending on the needs of the entity, and of the requirements of the industry. For example, the financial transaction data fields may include: financial system or bank identification numbers or codes, billing cycle identifiers, bank identifiers to people, business account numbers, control account numbers, name data of the account holder, social security data of the account holder, various types of account holder information (address, telephone number, spouse, date of birth, proportion or classification of the credit, etc.), type of account, tax indicator of account, account code and / or employee identification data. The financial transaction data may also include one or more of the following types of transaction data fields: settlement date, transaction date, merchandise transcription, source currency code, billing currency code, foreign currency amount, reference number, commercial standard, industrial code, transaction quantity, transaction code, commercial publication date, sales tax, purchase identifier, memo indicator (indicates the transaction loaded to a control or business account), transaction type, debit / credit status, card acceptor ID, minority vendor flag and / or seller's flag incorporation. For airline-related transactions, as another example, the data fields may include: account number, reference number, ticket number, carrier code, service class, stop, destination code, travel agency code, name of travel agency, passenger name, departure date and / or source code. For car rental and accommodation transactions as an additional example, the field data may include: account number, reference number, flag not shown, extra charges, extra charge amount, check-in / check-out date, hotel or hotel ID the car rental company and / or passenger / guest name. In a further example, the telephone card transaction fields may include account number, reference number, destination telephone, home telephone, time and duration. In addition to the financial transaction data, the system according to the present invention can also collect and maintain source and control data for all accounts in the entity. The account data fields for the individual data and control can include: total debit, total credit, total payment, previous cycle data, previous cycle account balance, current cycle account balance, credit limit, payment due , history based on cycles, high delinquency, amount to pay last, amount discounted, amount in dispute, card number and / or indicator of dispute. The fields of account information at the company and agency level can include: representative bank, company number, account number, credit limit, amount to be paid, amount to be paid of accounts, amount to be paid last, amount discounted, amount in dispute, card number, company / agency number, address data, account number data, annual and monthly payment amount, due date, opening date, details of transactions in dispute, charge processed and / or date of repetition. The authorization data fields can include account number, available credit, commercial number, commercial city, commercial status, commercial description, point of sale entry mode, authorization date, authorization time, authorization amount, currency code foreign currency conversion ratio, authorization / declination code, commercial standard industrial code, commercial postal code and / or commercial country code. The account change information (that is, information concerning changes made to accounts that are stored by system 100) may include one or more of the following data fields: account number, account type, item changed, old value , new value, date of change, time of change and number or identification code of the operator. As is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, several different types of financial information and other information may be stored, processed, transmitted and reported using the system and method of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the storage and organization of all the data described above are manipulated by the database administration system 301. In a preferred embodiment, all current and historical data maintained by the system 100 is stored in the database 302. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reports generated by the report generator 401 - within the frequency element 103 of application can obtain formats in numerous, formats in which selected information of interest is included to the recipient of the report. Examples of reports generated by the 401 report generator may include: of card with respect to an entity's portfolio Forecast of report Provides a list of scheduled reports for automatic production for the entity Manifesto of the report Provides a list of the reports in the current production run for the entity Tax report Provides tax reports paid where the cardholder or account holder was exempt from taxes Detailed transaction report Provides reports to a merchant of all transactions that have been made using a card account Report of disputed status of Provides reports and status of items in dispute and / or transaction status chargeback process rejected items Provides reports of transactions that were processed by the system 100 but were not eligible to be settled While the present invention has been described particularly with reference to the preferred embodiments, it must be easily ev It is for those of ordinary skill in the art that changes and modifications in form and detail may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is proposed that the appended claims include such changes and modifications. It is noted that, with regard to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property. A computerized system for consolidating, verifying and controlling financial transactions of an entity, characterized in that it comprises: a network element and access door services to give access to a priority of financial systems; an element of data warehouse services to store data generated, summarized and processed by the system; an application services element comprising: a processor to format data received and transmitted by the system to a browser to identify one or more information sources retained by the system to consolidate, verify or control the financial transactions of the entity and to generate command signals or corresponding source access commands and an administrator is coupled session to the browser to generate commands or session commands in response to the command signals or source access commands generated by the generator, wherein the network and access door service makes access to financial systems in response to commands or decision orders received from the session manager; an element of network services to provide access to the system of a remote access terminal. a communication network for enabling communication between the network service element and gateway, the data warehousing service element, the application service medium, and the network service method.
2. 2. A computerized system in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a customer service terminal in communication with the network service element.
3. 3. A computerized system according to claim 1, characterized in that the system is integrated into an existing computerized network of the entity.
4. 4. A computerized system according to claim 1, characterized in that the network service element communicates with the far terminal using scanning programming elements via a communication link.
5. 5. A computerized system according to claim 1, characterized in that the browser identifies the sources and generates commands or commands based on the predetermined application logic.
6. 6. A system in accordance with the claim 1, characterized in that the browser identifies the sources and generates commands or commands based on the dynamic application logic. A computerized system according to claim 1, characterized in that different users have different levels of access to the data stored in the data reset service element. 8. A computerized system for consolidating, verifying and controlling financial transactions of an entity, characterized in that it comprises: a network element and access door services to give access to a priority of financial systems; an input administrator to control input, greeting and security functions between the system and the plurality of financial systems; an access door for transmitting and receiving financial data and control data between the system and the plurality of financial systems and a network data mover to format the financial data to be transmitted by the system according to a format protocol of transmission; a data warehouse service element for storing the data generated, received and processed by the system, comprising: a database administrator system to allow the storage and retrieval of financial data stored by the system and at least one database to store financial transaction data; an application services element that includes: - a report generator to generate stored financial transaction data reports; a processor to format the data received and transmitted by the system, a browser to identify one or more sources of information required by the system to consolidate, verify or control the financial transactions of the entity and to generate command signals to access the corresponding source and an administrator are sitting coupled to the browser to generate commands or session commands in response to the command signals or source access commands generated by the generator, where the network element and access door service makes access to financial systems in response to commands or decision orders received from the session administrator; an element of network services to provide access to the system of a remote access terminal, a network server to provide data and financial transaction reports to the far terminal using browser programming elements via an intra-network communication link, an email server to provide email service via the intra-network communications link and an Internet access server to provide Internet access to the remote terminal via the Intra-network communication link and a communications network to allow communication between the network service element and gateway, the data warehousing service element, the application service medium, and the network service method. 9. A computerized system according to claim 8, characterized in that the browser identifies the sources and generates commands based on the predetermined application logic. 10. A computerized system according to claim 8, characterized in that the browser identifies the sources and generates commands based on the dynamic application logic. '- _ ..._ ur________ t ». ^^« - J - »~ - .. ^ .-. JM«. REAL INFORMATION OF MULTIPLE FINANCIAL SYSTEMS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An open architecture system is described which automatically consolidates information from a plurality of financial systems in a single accounting system without the need for expensive and time-consuming laboratory analysis procedures. The system allows an entity to use multiple independent and potentially incompatible financial systems to facilitate, control and verify its expense activities, purchases and other financial activities while also allowing the entity to verify and control all these activities in real time. The system receives, processes and stores information obtained from a plurality of financial systems and / or other external computerized systems and provides one or more authorized users with the ability to verify online financial transactions and manipulate and control all financial transactions of the entity in real time, using for example technology of network programming elements - explorer. Different users can have different levels of access to financial transaction data obtained, processed and stored by the system. The system can also be easily integrated with the existing computer systems of the entity.