Data conversion system

Abstract

A data conversion system and method are provided. Specifically, under the present invention, a collection of data records is received from a first application. The data records include data fields for storing data entries, with at least one of the data fields including multiple data entries. Each data entry is tagged with a corresponding data header (meta data) and individually arranged, along with a corresponding record identifier, into a separate row of a table. This eliminates any multiple value data fields so that the data can be more accurately manipulated and reported by a second application.

1 . A system including a processor and memory for converting data from a first format to a second format, comprising:
 a data system for receiving data records having data fields for storing data entries, wherein at least one of the data fields has a plurality of data entries that are not separately addressed, and wherein each data field has an associated data header and an associated record identifier; and   a table system for building a table based upon the data records, wherein the table comprises rows that have a single data entry, a corresponding data header, and a corresponding record identifier in a separate field from the corresponding data header.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a relationship system for tagging each data entry in the data fields with a corresponding data header. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an output system for outputting the table to a report application, wherein the report application generates a report based upon selected rows of the table. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each row of the table comprises a first data field and a second data field. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the first data field of at least one row comprises a single data entry and a corresponding data header, and wherein the second field of the at least one row comprises a record identifier corresponding to the single data entry. 
   
   
       6 . A system including a processor and memory for converting data from a first format to a second format, comprising:
 a data system for receiving data records having data fields for storing data entries, wherein at least one of the data fields has a plurality of data entries that are not separately addressed, and wherein each data field has an associated data header and an associated record identifier;   a relationship system for tagging each data entry in the data fields with a corresponding data header;   a table system for building a table based upon the data records, wherein the table comprises rows that have a single data entry, a corresponding tagged data header, and a corresponding record identifier in a separate field from the corresponding tagged data header; and   an output system for outputting the table to a report generation application, wherein the report generation application generates a report based upon selected rows of the table.   
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein each row of the table comprises a first data field and a second data field. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the first data field of at least one row comprises a single data entry and a corresponding tagged data header, and wherein the second field of the at least one row comprises a record identifier corresponding to the single data entry. 
   
   
       9 . A program product stored on a recordable medium for converting data from a first format to a second format, which when executed, comprises:
 program code configured to receive data records having data fields for storing data entries, wherein at least one of the data fields has a plurality of data entries that are not separately addressed, and wherein each data field has an associated data header and an associated record identifier; and   program code configured to build a table based upon the data records, wherein the table comprises rows that have a single data entry, a corresponding tagged data header, and a corresponding record identifier in a separate field from the corresponding data header.   
   
   
       10 . The program product of  claim 9 , further comprising program code configured to tag each data entry in the data fields with a corresponding data header. 
   
   
       11 . The program product of  claim 9 , further comprising program code configured to output the table to a report generation application, wherein the report generation application generates a report based upon selected rows of the table.