Product Attributes Database

Product Attributes Database (PAD) is a computer program that enables a team of engineers, managers, and administrators involved in a product-development project to collaborate more effectively. PAD serves as a single, network-accessible repository for all essential parametric information (the data- base) that characterizes the project at any phase of implementation. PAD collects and organizes the data into a human-readable format so that any member of the team can gain access to the data and/or link the data to documents, reports, and presentations. The PAD information architecture includes interfaces to several software systems, including programs for engineering design and analysis, estimation of costs, testing and verification of designs, documentation, and display of data. These interfaces support real-time, collaborative engineering. Going beyond prior engineering- database programs, PAD includes both (1) a machine-interface subsystem that enables a variety of engineering and administrative programs to work together through the database over a network and (2) a human-interface subsystem, which provides a simple graphical user interface that enables a team member to read and write data from any network-accessible computer.