Business management system that uses product data with product classes

Abstract

Systems and methods of the present disclosure facilitate managing a business. In some embodiments, the system includes a product data module and a plurality of business process modules executing on at least one processor of a server. The product data module may be configured to store at least one product description. Responsive to a first user, the system may associate a product class with a first description. Responsive to a second user, the system may associate a first product description with a first of the business process modules. The system may be configured to select a second business process module based on the product class and update the second business process module with the first product description.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system, comprising:
 a line item storage device comprising a memory to store an item description and an item class for each of a plurality of line items;   a first device comprising one or more first processors and first memory to:
 retrieve, from the line item storage device, the plurality of line items; 
 identify the item class for a first item of the plurality of line items stored in the line item storage device based on the item description of the first item, the first item having a first format; 
 select, based on the item class of the first item, a second device that interfaces with the line item storage device; and 
 transmit, to the second device, the item description of the first item; and 
   the second device comprising one or more second processors and second memory to:
 receive the item description of the first item from the first device; 
 generate a service ticket based on the item description of the first item; 
 detect completion of the service ticket; and 
 modify the item description of the first item in the line item storage device to include information from the service ticket. 
   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the line item storage device identifies, based on the item description, an item sub-class including at least one of an inventory parts products and a non-inventory parts product. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the first device generates a sales order based on the item description. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the item description includes quoting information associated with a quote generated by the line item storage device; and   the first device generates a second item including:
 an invoice; and 
 a second item description; and 
   wherein the quoting information matches the invoice.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a customer relationship management device that maintains contact information corresponding to a first entity associated with a sales opportunity. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the line item storage device:
 receives a first plurality of items, each of the first plurality of items comprising a first item description;   stores the first plurality of items; and   obtains a second plurality of items, the second plurality of items comprising at least a subset of the first plurality of items and further comprising the first item description.   
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the first device:
 identifies a second item of the second plurality of items, the second item comprising a second item description;   identifies, based on the second item description, a second item class, the second item class;   selects the second device based on the second item class;   transmits, to the second device, the second item description of the second item; and   controls the second device based on at least one of the second item description and the second item class.   
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein:
 a first application program interface (API) conveys information between the line item storage device and the first device;   a second API conveys information between the line item storage device and the second device servers; and   a third API conveys information between the line item storage device and external databases.   
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , further comprising a third device, wherein a fourth API to conveys information between the line item storage device and the third device. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the second device modifies the item description of the first item in the line item storage device to include an indication that the service ticket has been completed. 
     
     
         31 . A method, comprising:
 storing, by a line item storage device comprising a memory, an item description and an item class for each of a plurality of line items;   retrieving, by a first device comprising one or more first processors and first memory, the plurality of line items from the line item storage device;   identifying, by the first device, the item class for a first item of the plurality of line items stored in the line item storage device based on the item description of the first item, the first item having a first format;   selecting, by the first device, based on the item class of the first item, a second device that interfaces with the line item storage device;   transmitting, by the first device, to the second device, the item description of the first item;   receiving, by the second device, the item description of the first item from the first device;   generating, by the second device, a service ticket based on the item description of the first item;   detecting, by the second device, completion of the service ticket; and   modifying, by the second device, the item description of the first item in the line item storage device to include information from the service ticket.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising identifying, by the line item storage device, based on the item description, an item sub-class including at least one of an inventory parts products and a non-inventory parts product. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising generating, by the first device, a sales order based on the item description. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the item description includes quoting information associated with a quote generated by the line item storage device, and the method further comprises generating, by the first device, a second item including an invoice and a second item description, wherein the quoting information matches the invoice. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising maintaining, by a customer relationship management device, contact information corresponding to a first entity associated with a sales opportunity. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 receiving, by the line item storage device, a first plurality of items, each of the first plurality of items comprising a first item description;   storing, by the line item storage device, the first plurality of items; and   obtaining, by the line item storage device, a second plurality of items, the second plurality of items comprising at least a subset of the first plurality of items and further comprising the first item description.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 identifying, by the first device, a second item of the second plurality of items, the second item comprising a second item description;   identifying, by the first device, based on the second item description, a second item class, the second item class;   selecting, by the first device, the second device based on the second item class;   transmitting, by the first device, to the second device, the second item description of the second item; and   controlling, by the first device, the second device based on at least one of the second item description and the second item class.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 communicating, by the first device, information to the line item storage device via a first application program interface (API);   communicating, by the second device, information to the line item storage device via a second API; and   communicating, by the line item storage device, information to external databases via a third API.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising communicating, by a third device, information to the line item storage device via a fourth API. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising modifying, by the second device, the item description of the first item in the line item storage device to include an indication that the service ticket has been completed.