KNOWLEDGE GATHERING METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TRANSFORMING PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS INTO PROCESS NETWORKS

Methods and systems for automated, local product classification through knowledge engineering aided by visual representation of the product may be combined with some targeted queries. A library of product descriptions, particularly, print product descriptions, are visualized and custom document visualizations can be created and added. Products in the library can be searched and managed via a query mechanism that filters on values of the product characteristics. Knowledge encoded in the visual representation is automatically mapped into the classification system's internal representation of the print products which is thus made common throughout the shop and may be made common across shops. The characteristics as described by the product visualization, in combination with ranges and other parameter constraints, can be subsequently mapped into the internal abstraction of product type representation of a conversation system for transforming product descriptions into process networks.