Importance

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Abstract

In a system for enabling a customer to operate a data terminal for placing an order for goods or services from a supplier, the data terminal displays information about the goods or services being ordered to complete, correct or update information available from the supplier's catalog. The system has a product file including records having a unique product code for each product, and a catalog number index for indexing the product records. A catalog number supplied by the customer is recognized as invalid when it is not found in the catalog number index. To provide catalog assistance, the customer is permitted to enter an invalid catalog number that is used as a key to random access the product file and display the product code, catalog number and other information such as product availability, product description or product change history for each of a series of products having catalog numbers similar to the catalog number entered by the customer. The customer may then select a desired catalog number or product code on the display for use in the line item of an order without typing in the correct catalog number or product code. In a multiprocessing system, a product file buffer is used for each customer to facilitate paging of the catalog assistance information.

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First Claim