U.S. patent application number 09/994374 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-27 for electronic information network for inventory control and transfer.
This patent application is currently assigned to MRO Software. Invention is credited to Kwiatkowski, Steven E., Peterson, Larry C..
Application Number | 20020082956 09/994374 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22019146 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020082956 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Peterson, Larry C. ; et
al. |
June 27, 2002 |
Electronic information network for inventory control and
transfer
Abstract
A process for distributing items, especially industrial
maintenance repair and operating (MRO) parts and supplies. The
process includes as a first step providing a plurality of vendors
for selling the item. Next, an information network by which each
vendor can communicate to the other vendors a current inventory
quantity and a current price of the item each of the vendors has
for sale. A last step includes establishing an agreement among the
vendors in which a first vendor agrees to sell to a second vendor,
upon demand at a future point in time, up to the then current
inventory quantity of the item at the then current price
communicated over the information network by the first vendor to
the second vendor
Inventors: |
Peterson, Larry C.;
(Holland, OH) ; Kwiatkowski, Steven E.;
(Perrysburg, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY, HOAG & ELIOT, LLP
PATENT GROUP
ONE POST OFFICE SQUARE
BOSTON
MA
02109
US
|
Assignee: |
MRO Software
|
Family ID: |
22019146 |
Appl. No.: |
09/994374 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09994374 |
Nov 26, 2001 |
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09153705 |
Sep 15, 1998 |
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6324522 |
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60058824 |
Sep 15, 1997 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/28 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/0875 20130101;
G06Q 20/203 20130101; G06Q 30/06 20130101; G06Q 10/08 20130101;
G06Q 10/087 20130101; G06Q 30/0601 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/28 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A process for distributing an item, including the steps of a)
providing a plurality of independent industrial distributors of an
item; and b) providing an information network for communicating
among said distributors the amount of inventory of said item
possessed by each of said distributors.
2. The process of claim 1 further including following the step b),
the steps of: c) providing communication between said information
network and a manufacturer of said item; d) determining a total
inventory of said item possessed by said distributors and said
manufacturer at a first time; e) determining a total inventory of
said item possessed by said distributors and said manufacturer at a
second time, subsequent to said first time; f) calculating a time
period until inventory of said item will be depleted based on
changes in inventory between said first time and said second time;
and g) manufacturing said item at a rate to prevent inventory
depletion of said item within said time period.
3. A process for distributing items, including the steps of: a)
providing a plurality of vendors for selling an item; b) providing
an information network by which information about the respective
quantity and price of said item each of said vendors has for sale
can be shared among said vendors; and c) establishing an agreement
among said vendors in which each of said vendors agrees to sell to
any other of said vendors up to said respective quantity of said
item at said respective price.
4. The process of claim 3 wherein said item is produced by a single
manufacturer.
5. The process of claim 4 further including the step of providing a
link to said communications network by which said manufacturer can
communicate with said vendors.
6. The process of claim 4 further including following step c), the
steps of: d) providing communication between said information
network and said manufacturer; e) determining a total inventory of
said item possessed by said vendors and said manufacturer at a
first time; f) determining a total inventory of said item possessed
by said vendors and said manufacturer at a second time, subsequent
to said first time; g) calculating a time period until inventory of
said item will be depleted based on changes in inventory between
said first time and said second time; and h) manufacturing said
item at a rate to prevent inventory depletion of said item within
said time period.
7. The process of claim 3 further including the step of
electronically transmitting purchase orders to said vendors via
said information network.
8. The process of claim 7 further including the step of selectively
providing electronic communication of a status of said purchase
order via said information network.
9. The process of claim 3 further including the step of providing
for electronic funds transfer via said information network.
10. The process of claim 1, wherein step b) includes the step of
said distributors uploading inventory files containing inventory
information to said information network.
11. The process of claim 10 further including, after the step of
said uploading inventory files containing inventory information,
the steps of: c) converting files into desired format; d) merging
other vendor files with the inventory files; e) deleting records
from the information network which are to be replaced; and f)
loading new records into database tables on the information network
from the formatted files.
12. The process of claim 3, wherein said information network
includes at least one of an Inventory Network function, a Parts
Trader function, an Electronic Commerce function, and a
Consolidator function.
13. The process of claim 12, wherein said information network is
provided with access functions that control access of a user to
various functions of the information network, and including the
steps of maintaining said access functions, including, following
step c), the steps of: d) loading a Depot table which includes a
user identification for each member of the information network and
an indication of the access the member has to said at least one of
an Inventory Network function, a Parts Trader Function, an
Electronic Commerce Function, and a Consolidator function; and e)
selectively modifying information in said Depot Table.
14. The process of claim 12, wherein said information network is
provided with access functions that control access of a user to
various functions of the information network, and including the
steps of maintaining said access functions, including, following
step c), the steps of: d) loading an authority table having fields
for a user identification, a code field, a criteria field, and a
data field; and e) selectively modifying information in said
authority table.
15. The process of claim 14, wherein step e) includes modifying
information in said authority table about at least one of
information regarding the name of a vendor with whom the user has
order and quote privileges, information regarding the authority of
the user to submit requisitions, and information regarding the
authority of the user to download files from the information
network containing at least one of quotes and orders.
16. The process of claim 3, wherein said information network
includes a Mall portion containing information on all of the
vendors using the information network, and further including the
steps performed by a user of: d) selecting a search criteria from
among the criteria consisting of product, service and vendor; e)
viewing a list of records matching the search criteria; f)
selecting a record from said list of records; and g) viewing vendor
information relating to said selected record.
17. The process of claim 3, wherein said information network
includes a Depot portion containing at least one of an Inventory
Network function, a Parts Trader Function, and Electronic Commerce
Function, and a Consolidator function.
18. The process of claim 17, wherein said Parts Trader Function
enables a user to search for a supplier of a part by search
criteria including at least one of product class and
manufacturer.
19. The process of claim 17 further including the user steps
following step c) of: d) selecting to utilize the Inventory Network
function; e) viewing a list of networks available to the particular
user displayed by said information network; and f) selecting an
information network to utilize.
20. The process of claim 17 further including the steps following
step c) of: d) providing at least one inventory network over said
information network; and e) providing functions to enable a user of
said inventory network to do at least one of viewing information
about other users of said inventory network, searching said
inventory network for information about inventory of other users of
said inventory network, uploading information about the user's
inventory to said network, and retrieving inventory information
from said network.
21. The process of claim 17 further including, following step c):
d) providing functions to enable a user of said information network
Electronic Commerce function to do at least one of searching for
parts information, placing an order over said information network
for a part with one of said vendors, requesting a quote for a part
from one of said vendors over said information network, creating a
requisition for a part and transmitting said requisition over said
information network, and obtaining a status of one of said order,
said quote and said requisition over said information network; e)
providing functions to enable each of said vendors to view
transactions on said information network involving said vendor,
including at least one of new orders transmitted to said vendor,
previously viewed orders, new quotes transmitted to said vendor,
and previously viewed quotes; and f) providing functions to enable
each of said vendors to perform at least one of the following
functions with respect to transactions involving said vendor:
selecting transactions to download, downloading all new orders,
deleting all viewed orders, deleting individual transactions,
viewing text of individual transactions, viewing individual
transactions in form format, and uploading vendor files.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates in general to distribution networks
for distributing parts from a manufacturer, through vendors, to
end-users. More particularly, the invention relates to integrating
a maintenance supply network with an information network for
selectively distributing information about inventory levels and
pricing among vendors, manufacturers, and end users, and
efficiently transferring inventory between parties according to
prearranged terms.
[0002] Maintenance Repair and Operating (MRO) supplies are
traditionally transferred from a manufacturer to end users
(customers needing MRO supplies for maintaining equipment, rather
than for resale) through a network of vendors. These vendors
(distributors) are typically not mere order takers, but are
expected to have some expertise in the product lines carried to
enable the vendor to perform such tasks as recommending parts for
various customer applications, assisting in the design of these
applications, and assisting in the maintenance of these resultant
installations. Vendors typically are franchised to supply MRO
supplies for a specific manufacturer within a defined geographic
area. End users within that geographic area desiring to purchase
MRO supplies from that manufacturer are directed to the vendor for
the area. Therefore, the vendor is expected to maintain an
inventory on hand of the various MRO supplies of the manufacturer
to meet the ordinary needs of the end users within the geographic
area. Thus, a vendor may have to carry in inventory a larger
quantity of infrequently used parts, which is expensive.
Furthermore, if an end user desires a part that the vendor does not
have on hand in inventory, the vendor will need to find a source
for the needed part. The vendor may contact the manufacturer to see
if the manufacturer has the part on hand. Frequently, however, the
vendor may find that another vendor will have the part in
inventory, and be able to sell the part to the vendor for resale to
the end user on an expedited basis. The vendor may spend a long
time telephoning a number of fellow vendors looking for another
vendor who has the part in stock. If the vendor locates another
vendor with the part in stock, an ad-hoc negotiation for purchasing
and shipping the part must be conducted.
[0003] The manufacturer will normally have information about how
many of the needed part were sent to various vendors, but typically
will not be able to tell with precision the current number of parts
held by individual vendors in the distribution network, or the
total number of parts in the distribution network. Allocation of
manufacturing resources to produce the part is normally based on
extrapolation of historical activity, and not an actual
determination of a current number of the parts held in the
distribution network.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention relates to a process for integrating a
maintenance supply network with an information network for
selectively distributing information about inventory levels and
pricing among vendors, and efficiently transferring inventory
between parties according to prearranged terms. A plurality of
vendors (distributors) of an item is provided with an information
network for communicating among the vendors information about the
quantity of the item each vendor has in inventory. Preferably, the
price of the item as determined by each vendor for sale to other
authorized distributors is also shared. More preferably, binding
agreements are established between various ones of the vendors that
regulate the terms of future sales of the item between the parties
to the agreements.
[0005] Various objects and advantages of this invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a process for
establishing an integrated MRO network according to the present
invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a method according to
the invention for managing manufacturing capacity based on measured
inventory depletion rate.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a block diagram similar to FIG. 1 illustrating a
process for establishing a system for electronic commerce between a
vendor and an end user.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a process for
maintaining computer files of inventory information shared on the
network of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a process for
maintaining access controls for the network of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a partial block diagram of a process of accessing
an information network according to a preferred embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic Mall
function of the information network.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a surplus part
trading function of the information network.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a search function of
an inventory information-sharing feature of the information
network.
[0015] FIG. 9A is a block diagram illustrating an iterative
function of the information network for determining the quantity of
assemblies that may be assembled from the available sub-components
thereof.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a function for
displaying the participating users of the information network.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a download function
of the information network enabling off-line access to network
information.
[0018] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a file upload
function of the information network whereby data on the network is
updated.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic
commerce function of the information network tailored for use by a
vendor.
[0020] FIG. 14 is a partial block diagram illustrating an
electronic commerce function of the information network tailored
for use by an end user.
[0021] FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic
commerce part ordering function of the information network.
[0022] FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic
commerce quotation query function of the information network.
[0023] FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic
commerce requisition function of the information network.
[0024] FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic
commerce order status function of the information network.
[0025] FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic
commerce quote status function of the information network.
[0026] FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic
commerce requisition status function of the information
network.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0027] Preliminarily, it should be noted that in the following
discussion, the term "vendor" means a party that sells an item to
another party. Principally, vendors are distributors who sell the
item to their customers. Customers are principally end users of the
item, who use the item in maintenance or repair, rather than for
subsequent transfer to other parties. However, when considering a
transaction between a manufacturer and the manufacturer's
distributor, the manufacturer is the vendor and the distributor is
the customer. Distributors can also be customers of other
distributors, for example, when purchasing parts from another
distributor for resale to end users.
[0028] Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG.
1 a process, indicated generally at 10, for establishing a
distribution network, and more particularly, an integrated
Maintenance Repair and Operating (MRO) supplies distribution
network, according to the present invention.
[0029] In a first step 12, a plurality of vendors of an item is
provided. These vendors, in a preferred embodiment of the invention
are independent industrial MRO supply distributors. Each vendor is
a separate business entity, and normally will have no common
ownership. Each vendor is authorized by the manufacturer of an item
to distribute the item within respective geographic areas.
Additionally, each vendor may carry for sale other products made by
other manufacturers. Some of these products may be carried by more
than one of the vendors, but not be carried by all of the
vendors.
[0030] In a second step 14, the vendors are interconnected by an
information network through which the vendors can communicate among
themselves the quantity of the item that each vendor has for sale,
e.g., the inventory of the item each of the vendors has. A vendor
may, of course, underreport the total number of the item that the
vendor possesses, if, for example, the vendor wishes to ensure that
the vendor has some quantity of the item on hand for sale to the
vendor's local clients.
[0031] In a third step 16, the vendors enter into agreements
(bilateral or multilateral contracts) among themselves governing an
inventory sharing arrangement among the parties to the agreements.
It is contemplated that not all of the vendors will enter into an
agreement with every other vendor, although this may occur.
According to the agreement, at least some aspects of anticipated
future sales of the item by one party to the agreement to another
party to the agreement would be regulated by the terms of the
agreement. For example, the agreement may specify a time by which
payment must be received following a sale of the item from one
vendor to another vendor who are a also co-signatories to the
agreement regulating such sales of the item.
[0032] This arrangement permits the vendors in need of one or more
of the item to quickly determine, using the information network,
which of the other vendors have some of the item. Knowing which of
the other vendors are co-signatories to the inventory sharing
arrangement, the vendor needing the item can contact a co-signatory
who has some of the item in stock, to facilitate a speedy
transaction transferring the item to the vendor who needs the
item.
[0033] In a step 18, the vendors also share an asking price
associated with the items they have in their respective
inventories. The agreements signed by the various vendors will
preferably indicate that a first vendor will sell to a second
vendor up to the quantity of the item that the first vendor had
indicated as being in the first vendor's inventory at the asking
prices communicated by the first vendor. This will help assure a
rapid transfer of the item from the first vendor to the second
vendor upon request by the second vendor, since virtually all the
issues tending to hinder a rapid sale are dealt with ahead of time
in the agreement.
[0034] In a step 20, a manufacturer for the item is provided. It is
contemplated that multiple manufacturers may be provided who
manufacture various different item, such as in Buying Group
Inventory Networks, as will be described below. In a step 22, the
information network is enhanced to enable the manufacturer (or
manufacturers) to communicate over the information network, to the
vendors, the quantity of the item that is in the manufacturer's
inventory. This helps the vendors more readily understand the
availability of the item in from not only the other vendors, but
also from the manufacturer. The manufacturer is preferably also
able to communicate a price for the items in the manufacturer's
inventory over the information network.
[0035] In a step 24, the information network is enabled to
communicate information about the various vendors' inventory to the
manufacturer. This enables the manufacturer to more efficiently
plan shipping of the item to those areas where supplies are low,
and demand is high. As will be discussed with respect to FIG. 2,
knowledge of the quantity of an item in the vendor level of the
distribution network also enables a novel process for manufacturing
the item.
[0036] In a step 26, the information network is further enhanced to
enable communication about the quantity (and preferably the price)
of the item in a particular vendor's inventory to that vendor's
customer. This degree of communication facilitates an inventive
Electronic Commerce feature of the present invention, whereby
orders for the item from the end user (customer) can be placed
electronically with the vendor.
[0037] In a further step 28, agreements regulating future sales of
the item are established between other users of the information
network. For example, such agreements may be made between the
manufacturer and one or all of the vendors; between a vendor and
the vendor's customers (end users); or between the manufacturer and
end users (as may occur when the end user is a particularly large
and significant user of the item). In a step 30, the manufacturer
is provided with the needed equipment and information to monitor
the inventory in the distribution system (especially vendor's
inventory of the item) to plan a manufacturing schedule. This will
be further discussed below with respect to FIG. 2.
[0038] In a step 32, the information network is used to transmit
purchase orders between users of the information network. A vendor
may receive such an electronic purchase order from a customer who
previously signed an agreement regulating the terms of such a sale,
or another vendor who is co-signatory with the first vendor of such
an agreement. This Electronic Commerce feature will be further
discussed below, especially with respect to FIG. 15.
[0039] In a step 34 the information network provides for electronic
communication of the status of purchase orders submitted to a
vendor. Such purchase orders will preferably be purchase orders
submitted electronically as in the step 32 above, but may be
conventionally transmitted purchase orders, i.e., orders
transmitted by conventional means such as mail, facsimile, or
telephone.
[0040] In a similar manner, in a step 36 the information network is
provided with the capability transferring an invoice
electronically. When a vendor has responded to a purchase order for
an item by shipping out the item, the data of the purchase order,
such as the purchase order number, the name of the customer
ordering the item and the customer's address, a list of items
ordered and the quantity of each, is readily available. Such
information in electronic form can easily be imported into, or
rearranged into an electronic invoice, to which the vendor adds a
minimal amount of additional information, such as total cost,
including taxes, shipping, and handling charges. This invoice can
be quickly sent back to the customer via the information network
for lower cost and greater speed than conventional mail.
[0041] As indicated in step 38, it is contemplated that the
information network could be further enhanced to provide for
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), or to facilitate EFT. More
specifically, after a vendor has shipped the requested item to a
customer, the vendor would transfer the invoice to the customer
electronically, and the customer's money would be electronically
transferred into the vendor's account, and the invoice would be
marked as paid.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 2, a method of manufacturing an item
based on observing inventory levels in a distribution network is
illustrated generally at 40. In a first step 42, an information
network is established providing communication between the vendors
who constitute the distribution network for an item and a
manufacturer of the item. The information network is used to
transmit information to the manufacturer about the amount of the
item that each of the vendors has in inventory. The total of all
the vendors' inventory of the item (plus any stock that the
manufacturer has on hand) constitutes the volume of the item in the
distribution channels. The vendors' customers are buying the item
out of the vendors' stock on an ongoing basis. If the manufacturer
stops producing the item, the inventory in the distribution system
will decline until the inventory is depleted. (For the purposes of
this application, inventory depletion is defined as an unacceptably
low level of inventory, which causes customers to have unacceptably
high difficulty in obtaining a needed item in an acceptable period
of time).
[0043] In a step 44, the manufacturer determines a total inventory
of the item possessed by the vendors and the manufacturer at a
first time.
[0044] In a step 46, the manufacturer determines a total inventory
of the item possessed by the distributors and the manufacturer at a
second time, subsequent to the first time.
[0045] In a step 48, the manufacturer calculates a rate of change
of the inventory of the item in the distribution system with
respect to time.
[0046] In a step 50, the manufacturer calculates a time period
until inventory depletion based on the calculated rate of change in
inventory between the first time and the second time.
[0047] In a step 52 before the time period calculated in the step
50 expires, the manufacturer manufactures the item at a rate to
prevent inventory depletion of the item. The rate of manufacture
may be adjusted based on changes in the rate of sales of the item
to customers, for example.
[0048] In a step 54, point of sale information can be provided to
the information network, and particularly to the manufacturer.
Information about the location, time, and quantity of items sold
would be useful, in regional aggregates to the manufacturer. For
example, the manufacturer can better plan distribution of the
manufacturer's inventory about the distribution area in
anticipation of future orders from those vendors who are
experiencing high rates of sales, and lowering inventories. Indeed,
in a step 56, the manufacturer can modify both production
scheduling and distribution based on the more detailed information
about the location of sales. For example, if inventory had
decreased rapidly in the system as a whole, but the sales are all
to one customer to build a new plant, which was now complete, the
manufacturer may choose not to increase production rates, or not
restart a shut-down production line before a previously planned
date, as the manufacturer might otherwise consider, since the rapid
inventory decrease would now slow.
[0049] Now referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated therein a
process indicated generally at 60, for performing electronic
commerce between a vendor and an end user customer of the vendor.
The first step 62 establishes the vendor as a vendor of one or more
items. The step 64 establishes the end user as an end user of the
item sold by the vendor. In the step 66, an information network is
utilized to communicate to the end user the price and quantity of
items for sale by the vendor to the customer. In a step 68, an
agreement is established between the vendor and the end user
regulating the terms of future sales by the vendor using the
information network. Typically, this agreement covers such items as
terms for payment, shipping methods, and agreements for the vendor
to sell the item at the vendor's then currently communicated price
on demand of the end user.
[0050] The demand for sale by the end user maybe through an order
electronically transmitted via the information network to the
vendor, if the network is thus enabled in a step 70.
[0051] Finally, in a step 72, the information network enabled to
permit the end user to monitor the order processing by the vendor.
This means that the end user will be able to check on the status of
the order at least periodically to see when the vendor has begun to
work on the order, when the order is complete, when and where the
order was shipped, and whether all the ordered items were able to
be shipped.
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 6 (FIGS. 4 and 5 are discussed below,
near the end of the Specification, under the heading "NETWORK
MAINTENANCE"), a preferred embodiment of a process for operating an
information network according to the invention is illustrated
generally at 100. A first step 102 in the process 100 is to use a
computer to connect to the information network through a graphical
interface commonly known as a home page. The computer used to
access the home page in the preferred embodiment is programmed with
suitable "browser" software, such as NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR.RTM., made
by Netscape Communications Corporation, of Mountain View, Calif.
Preferably, the browser has been customized for use with the
information network, with such features as pre-stored bookmarks or
home page addresses related to the information network.
[0053] Access to the home page can be gained in any suitable
conventional fashion, such as dial-up access to a modem connected
to the information network, or access to the information network
through an interface with the Internet global computer network.
Once the computer is in communication with the information network,
a log-on page is displayed on the user's computer. In the next step
104, the user "logs on" (gains access) to the information network
by entering a user name and password in the appropriate field of
the log-on page. Access is granted to the information network if
the user name and password entered match data stored in the
information network. The home page is displayed when access to the
information network is gained by the user. The home page, and the
other pages of the information network site accessed by the user
through the home page, displays information to the user, and will
typically indicate various functions which the user can access by
actuating a graphic "button". As is typical, in the preferred
embodiment such buttons are actuated by moving a graphic input
device, such as a computer mouse or trackball, to point to the
button with a cursor and clicking, or actuating, a switch on the
graphic input device. This is commonly referred to as "clicking" on
the graphic button. In the following discussion, the use of a mouse
as a graphic input device for controlling the operation of a cursor
will be assumed, as will be the use of the "mouse buttons"
(switches) typically provided on a mouse, as will be the use of a
graphical interface for accessing the information network. It is
contemplated, however, that any suitable interface device could be
used to communicate user input to the information network. It is
also contemplated that non-graphical interface programs can be used
to access the functions of the information network, with textual
(alphanumeric) information displayed on the user's computer page.
In such a case, access to different functions of the information
network could be gained through instructions entered from the
user's computer keyboard; the use of function keys to speed
operations in this mode of use is contemplated.
[0054] In the preferred embodiment, the information network home
page is composed of a series of buttons. Each button is active and,
when clicked on with a mouse, will navigate the user to information
or services. In the preferred embodiment, buttons are provided on
the right hand side of the page to represent the points of access
to various services on the information network, as discussed below.
"Quick Link" buttons to the various pertinent services are
positioned along the bottom of most screens or pages. Additionally,
on the home page, and subsequent pages of the information network
site, navigation buttons are preferably provided at the top of the
user's page. The navigation button "Home Page" links back to the
information network home page. The "Back" button returns the user
back to the previous page.
[0055] As the user chooses menu options that link the user to
different pages, the user will see that, where possible, navigation
buttons have been provided which link the user to the previous menu
hierarchy. In addition, an indicator, slightly larger than the
navigation buttons, is displayed to indicate which page the user is
currently reviewing. For example, the "Mall" indicator is presented
on the main information network Mall page, and the "Depot"
indicator is displayed when the user navigates to the main Depot
page. These indicators are not active. In other words, these
indicators do not enable the user to navigate to another page when
the user clicks on them, but merely act to identify the current
information network function being accessed.
[0056] Preferably, standard features are used to indicate active
links. An active link means that if the user clicks on that button
or word the user will be linked to another page. When the user
moves his or her mouse to move the cursor over an active link, the
cursor will change from an arrow to a pointing hand. When a word,
or group of words, is an active link, the word or words will be
underlined. Finally, in some cases when the user passes the cursor
over an active link, instructions are presented in the status bar
of the browser software display. These instructions tell the user
where the user will navigate to if the user clicks on the button
with the user's mouse.
[0057] Typically, the home page will provide access to various
"help" functions (not shown). For example, in the preferred
embodiment, buttons are provided on the left side of the page,
which, when clicked, present information about the information
network Mall, Depot, and News & Information functions.
Preferably, the information network includes an electronic mail
(E-mail) function through which the user can send and receive
electronic messages, as shown at 106. The user can select a graphic
button to access general news and information, such as information
about the information network in a step 108. The user can also gain
access to a set of Depot functions from the home page, as shown at
110. The Depot will be further explained below with reference with
FIG. 8. The user can also gain access to a set of Mall functions
from the home page, as shown at 112.
[0058] Mall
[0059] Referring now to FIG. 7, the Mall functions of the
information network are illustrated generally at 114. The Mall
portion of the site contains information on all of the vendors
(distributors) and manufacturers that use the information network.
While in the Mall, the user can search for and access specific
information on each vendor and manufacturer, including products and
services, sample sales contacts, and how to establish a "buying
connection".
[0060] By clicking on the information network Mall button in step
112 (FIG. 6), the user is presented with the main Mall page 116.
The page is divided into three sections: Banner, Search Criteria
area, and Instructions. The Banner is comprised of the following:
the information network logo graphic, which is not an active link;
the navigation button which takes the user back to the information
network home page; and the (inactive) Mall indicator that tells the
user which page the user is currently viewing. Preferably, the
Banner also is programmed to display the user's company logo or
name, which is determined from the user's name supplied during the
log-on step 104. The Search Criteria area is where the user
indicates what product, service, or vendor the user is searching
for, and the geographic region of interest to the user. The
Instructions area is where instructions advising the user in the
operation of the Mall function. Preferably, any display in the
information network site that could be confusing to the user will
be provided with instructions, and the display of instructions will
not be further discussed below.
[0061] In step 118, the user indicates whether the results of the
search to be conducted should be restricted to a particular
geographic region, or whether all regions should be included in the
search. To locate vendors that service a specific geographical
region in which the user is interested, step 120, the user clicks
on a "Select A Region" button. The user is presented with a map of
the geographic regions serviced by the information network. The
region names are also preferably listed next to the map as
selections. Preferably, the list of regions also includes a menu
choice of "all regions" in the event that the user changes his or
her mind about selecting only a particular region for the search.
The user indicates the region of interest either by either clicking
on the corresponding location on the map, or on the region name on
the list next to the map.
[0062] If, in the step 118, the user wishes to locate all vendors
for all regions, the user does not click the "Select A Region"
button. Note that the "Select A Region" function may be accessed
following any of the Mall search functions described below, to
modify the geographic restrictions of the Mall search functions, if
desired. In the preferred embodiment, the geographic restrictions
applied to Mall search functions will remain in effect until
modified by selecting a different geographic restriction, or until
the user logs off from the information network.
[0063] The Mall page also presents the user with choices to search
for vendors selling a particular type of product, 122, vendors
providing a particular type of service, 124, or a general list of
vendors interacting with the information network, 126.
[0064] To conduct a product search 122, the user clicks on the
"Products" button on the information network Main Mall page. The
user will be presented with an alphabetical listing of all of the
products that at least one vendor offers on the information
network, as indicated at 124. The list indicates all possible
products without restriction by region. When a desired product
category is selected for which no vendor exists within a region
selected in step 120, in a preferred embodiment, an appropriate
message is displayed; the display may alternatively display a blank
list to indicate that no vendors of the selected product category
exist within the region selected in step 120. When a list is
displayed, the user can scroll down the list until the user locates
the product the user is looking for. To assist the user to move
quickly to the location of the product on the alphabetical list of
products, the user is also presented with a graphical listing of
the alphabet. By clicking on the alphabet letter that the product
name begins with, the user is moved to the beginning of the portion
of the alphabetical list of products whose names begin with the
selected letter. For example, to locate "Relays", the user clicks
on the letter "R" in the alphabetical list. The user is immediately
moved to all products that start with the letter "R".
[0065] Once the user has located the product name in the list, the
user selects the product, in step 126, by clicking on the selected
product using the user's mouse. In step 128, the user will be
presented with a list of all vendors that sell that product, within
the selected region, or in all regions, as selected above by the
user.
[0066] To review information about one of the vendors on the list,
the user selects a vendor, step 130, by clicking on their name,
which is underlined, or clicking on their logo, which is preferably
displayed next to their names.
[0067] In step 132, the user is presented with several pages of
general information about the selected vendor, including the name
of a designated contact person, telephone and fax numbers,
addresses, and the line card of the vendor. The line card is a
listing of the product lines carried by the vendor.
[0068] The search function for services is similar to the search
function for products described above in steps 122 through 132.
Searching for vendors that offer a specific service is initiated in
step 124 by clicking on the "Services" button.
[0069] In step 134, the user is presented with an alphabetical
listing of all of the services that at least one vendor offers on
the information network. The user selects a service of interest in
step 136, in a fashion similar to selecting a product in the step
126. As described above with respect to selection of a product, if
a region was selected in the step 120, and no provider of the
selected services exist within the region, this will be indicated,
preferably by an appropriate message. A list of vendors providing
the selected service in the selected region(s) is displayed in step
138, preferably with their logo. The user clicks on the name or
logo of a vendor to select the vendor in step 140. In step 142, the
contact information and line card for the selected vendor are then
displayed to the user.
[0070] The third Mall search function is to search for vendors
offering products or services on the information network without
restricting the search to particular products or services. This
search function is initiated in step 126 by clicking on the
"vendors" button. A list of all of the vendors offering services or
products on the information network, within the selected region(s)
is displayed in step 144. To review information about one of the
vendors in the list, click on the vendor name, or click on their
logo, to select the vendor in step 146. In a step 148, the
information network displays several pages of general information
about the vendor, including their line cards.
[0071] Depot
[0072] Referring again to FIG. 6, from the information network home
page, the user can access the Depot function of the information
network by clicking on the "Depot" button on the home page in the
step 110. Preferably, a similarly functioning "Depot" button is
displayed on selected other pages of the information network site,
such as the main Mall page 116.
[0073] Referring now to FIG. 8, clicking the "Depot" button in the
step 110 causes the main Depot page 150 to be displayed. The
potential Depot functions that a user may be granted access to are
illustrated generally at 152. In a step 154, the user may click on
a "Parts Trader" button to access a Parts Trader function which
facilitates sale of items to all users of the information network,
as will be further described below. In a step 156, the user may
click on an "Inventory Networks" button to access an Inventory
Network function in which information about the inventory of other
vendors may be obtained, as will be further described below. In a
step 158, the user may click on an "Electronic Commerce" button to
access an Electronic Commerce function for facilitating the
transmission or receipt of sales orders for products over the
information network, as will be described in detail below. In a
step 160, the user may click on a "Consolidator" button to access a
Consolidator function for consolidated purchasing of items from
various vendors for a single customer, as will be further described
below.
[0074] Not every user is able to access each of these Depot
functions 152. The Depot is dynamically generated according to
authorization (privileges) defined for every information network
end user. Privilege definitions are further described below in the
section entitled "NETWORK MAINTENANCE". Each end user whether the
end user is a customer, a vendor, or a manufacturer will be
provided with a unique Depot which links to the business partners
that the end user uses on the information network. Based on the end
user's log-on identification (ID), specific business partners are
assembled according to the type of business transactions performed
between the two parties. For example, all of the business partners
from which an end user purchases product or a vendor receives
purchase orders will be assembled under the heading "Electronic
Commerce" in the end user's Depot. Similarly, all business partners
with whom the vendor shares inventory will be assembled under the
heading "Inventory Networks".
[0075] A customer's Depot contains all of the suppliers (vendors or
manufacturers) that they purchase items from via the information
network. A vendor's Depot contains all of the other vendors that
they share inventory with, and any vendor or manufacturer that they
buy items from. A manufacturer's Depot contains the group of
vendor's that they share inventory with.
[0076] The main Depot page 150 is divided into three sections: a
Banner, a Menu area, and a Quick Link area. The Banner is comprised
of the following: the information network logo graphic, which is
not an active link; the navigation button which takes the user back
to the information network home page; and the (inactive) Depot
indicator that tells the user which page the user is currently
viewing. Preferably, the Banner also is programmed to display the
user's company logo or name, which is determined from the user's
name supplied during the log-on step 104.
[0077] The Menu Section presents the services to which the user has
access. As previously indicated, not all end users have the same
privileges. For example, some vendors may have elected to share
inventory information with other vendors but may not have elected
to purchase items over the information network. In such cases,
their Depots would present them with only the Inventory Network and
the Parts Trader menu options.
[0078] The Quick Link area is provided with buttons to other
services (such as to the Mall page 116 , or to the News and
Information page) which are positioned along the bottom of the
page.
[0079] Parts Trader
[0080] The Parts Trader is an information network service available
as a Depot function. It is a listing of products and materials for
sale to any user of the information network. Typically, these are
items such as discontinued, surplus, or obsolete items which an
information network user wishes to sell at a reduced prices. While
in the Parts Trader, the user can search for items by product class
(what kind of product the item is, such as a hose, or a valve, or a
lubricant). The user can alternatively search for items by
manufacturer. Once the Product Class or manufacturer has been
located, the final search is done by entering all or part of the
Model or Part Number.
[0081] Once the user has selected the Parts Trader function in the
step 154, the main Parts Trader page is displayed. The main Parts
Trader page is divided into three sections: Banner, Search Criteria
area, and Quick Link area. The Banner and the Quick Link areas are
similar to the Banner and Quick Link areas of the main Depot page
150, described above, with the addition of the navigation button
"Depot" which takes the user back to the main Depot page 150 in the
Banner. The Search Criteria region is where the user indicates how
the user is searching for product with the Parts Trader function
(e.g., by product class or by manufacturer).
[0082] If the user wishes to locate all product offered within a
specific product class, the user clicks on the "Product Class"
button on the main Parts Trader page in a step 162. The user will
be presented with an graphic alphabetical key pad representing the
first letter of the product class of the product the user is
looking for, and a key (button) to indicate that all classes of
products are to be displayed. In a step 164, the user determines
whether to limit the search to products beginning with a particular
letter. If the user chooses not to limit the classes of products to
be displayed, the user clicks the "Display All Codes" button, in a
step 166. If the user chooses to limit the displayed classes of
product to classes starting with a particular letter, the user
clicks, in a step 168, on the alphabet letter with which that the
product class begins. For example, to locate "Connectors", the user
clicks the letter "C" on the keypad display. The user is presented
with a list of product classes with the chosen constraints in a
step 170. In the example, the user would be presented with a list
of the product classes that start with the letter "C". If the user
had clicked the "Display All Codes button" in the step 166, the
entire list of product classes would be displayed. Beside each
product class listing is the manufacturer name of the products. The
keypad remains displayed, and the user can return to step 164 to
redefine the search restriction.
[0083] If no product classes started with the letter selected by
the user, e.g., the "C"in the above example, the user would be
presented with an error message informing the user that no items
met the parameters of the request. The keypad would still be
displayed, allowing the user to select a different letter or to
select the "Display All Codes" button. That is, if a search returns
a null result, the information network makes this known to the
user, and displays the search entry form for re-entry of search
parameters. Preferably, this form of error handling is utilized in
all searches for all functions of the information network operating
process 100 and will not be further discussed herein.
[0084] The user locates each listing of the product class of the
item desired, and observes which manufacturer's codes are shown
next to each listing. The user clicks on the entry for the product
class which is associated with a desired manufacturer in a step
172. The user is then presented with a search page for locating a
particular item by part number in the product class of the item
which is manufactured by the selected manufacturer.
[0085] In a step 174, the user can search for a part number by
entering part or all of the part number, indicate that the entered
numbers are an initial string of the part number desired, and
initiate a search. Alternatively, in a step 176, the user can
search for a part number by entering part or all of the part
number, indicate that the entered numbers are a string contained
somewhere in the part number desired, and initiate a search. In
either case, the string the user enters for the part number can be
numbers, letters, non-alphanumeric symbols, or any combination
thereof.
[0086] In a step 178, the information network displays, in addition
to the search form that remains visible, the results of the search.
The information displayed includes, for each owner having a part
for sale which is manufactured by the selected manufacturer in the
selected product class, a line listing the part number of an item
fitting the search criteria, the description of the item, the code
for the owner of the item, the quantity of the item for sale, and
the unit of measure the price is based on. In a step 180, the user
clicks on a selected one of the displayed owner codes. In a step
182, the information network displays, in addition to the search
form and the results of the search, which remain visible, contact
information for the selected owner, including such information as
the name of the owner, address, the name of a designated contact
person, and telephone and fax numbers.
[0087] After the user is finished searching by product class, the
user can click on a displayed "Parts Trader" link to return to the
main Parts Trader page. From the main Parts Trader page the user
can search by manufacturer, as described below, or return to the
main Depot page, or to the information network home page.
[0088] To search by manufacturer, in a step 184, the user clicks on
the "Search By Manufacturer" button on the main Parts Trader page.
The user is presented with a graphic alphabetical keypad with an
alphabet and a "Display All Codes" button. In a step 186, the user
decides whether to select all manufacturers' codes or restrict the
search to manufacturers' codes that start with a particular letter.
In a step 188, the user clicks on the "Display All Codes" button to
select all manufacturer's codes for display. Alternatively, in a
step 190, the user clicks on a letter button of the alphabetical
keypad to select to restrict the search to just manufacturer's
codes starting with the selected letter.
[0089] In a step 192, the information network displays a list of
the selected manufacturer's codes, and the associated
manufacturer's names. The keypad remains displayed, so that the
user can return to the step 186 to redefine the search. In a step
194, the user clicks on a selected manufacturer's code. The user is
then presented with a search page for locating, by part number, a
particular item manufactured by the selected manufacturer.
[0090] In a step 195, the user can search for a part number by
entering part or all of the part number, indicate that the entered
numbers are an initial string of the part number desired, and
initiate a search. Alternatively, in a step 196, the user can
search for a part number by entering part or all of the part
number, indicate that the entered numbers are a string contained
somewhere in the part number desired, and initiate a search. In
either case, the string the user enters for the part number can be
numbers, letters, non-alphanumeric symbols, or any combination
thereof.
[0091] In a step 197, the information network displays, in addition
to the search form that remains visible, the results of the search.
The information displayed includes, for each owner having a part
for sale which is manufactured by the selected manufacturer, a line
listing the part number of an item fitting the search criteria, the
description of the item, the code for the owner of the item, the
quantity of the item for sale, and the unit of measure the price is
based on. In a step 198, the user clicks on a selected one of the
displayed owner codes. In a step 199, the information network
displays, in addition to the search form and the results of the
search, which remain visible, contact information for the selected
owner, including such information as the name of the owner,
address, the name of a designated contact person, and telephone and
fax numbers.
[0092] After the user is finished searching by manufacturer, the
user can click on a displayed "Parts Trader" link to return to the
main Parts Trader page. From main Parts Trader page, the user can
search by product class, as described above in step 162, or return
to the main Depot page, or to the information network home
page.
[0093] Inventory Networks
[0094] Inventory Networks allow selected users to share inventory
information. Two general types of inventory networks are
contemplated. The first type of inventory network which is
contemplated is a Manufacturer Inventory Network, in which
participating vendors and manufacturers share inventory
information. Manufacturers can use the information network to do
online searches of large industrial databases to locate inventory
that resides at the vendor's locations. Likewise, vendors can
review the manufacturer's inventory availability.
[0095] Vendors electronically send their inventory data files for
each manufacturer they represent to the information network and the
files are merged with the manufacturer's data and other network
member's inventories under the same network listing. The merged
data is then posted on the information network system. When a
manufacturer wishes to review inventory levels at the vendor
locations, the manufacturer can simply go to a personal computer,
dial into the information network and instantly view the merged
listing of inventory for all members using the information network.
This enables manufacturers review inventory levels at the vendor
warehouse locations which leads to improved production planning,
more timely and accurate shipments, and lower inventory costs.
[0096] The second general type of inventory network that is
contemplated is a Distributor Inventory Network, in which
participating vendors share inventory information. The difference
is that manufacturers do not participate in the network. Vendors
electronically send their inventory data files for each
manufacturer they represent to the information network and the
files are merged with other network member's inventories under the
same network listing. The merged data is then posted on the
information network system. When a vendor needs to locate an item,
the vendor can simply go to a personal computer, dial into the
information network and instantly view the merged listing of
inventory for all members using the information network. This
enables vendors to work cooperatively through an electronic
inventory sharing/viewing exchange network, which can ultimately
lead to an increase in customer satisfaction, reduced quick
delivery penalties assessed by the manufacturers, and lower
inventory costs.
[0097] It will be appreciated that a Manufacturer Inventory Network
and Distributor Inventory Network are not fundamentally different
in operation from a vendor's standpoint, except for access to
information about the manufacturer's inventory. Accordingly, only
the Manufacturer Inventory Network will be discussed herein.
[0098] It should also be noted that much of the Inventory Network
function discussed herein, like other functions of the information
network process 100, are described as batch functions, rather than
real time transactions. That is, as will be discussed below, a
vendor will periodically generate a computer file containing a
listing of the vendor's inventory, and upload that file to the
information network, where it is merged with other vendors' files
to generate a picture of the inventory available in the entire
distributor network which participates in the inventory network.
However, it is specifically contemplated, and within the scope of
the invention, that such functions could be done in a real time
fashion.
[0099] From the main Depot page, as briefly discussed above, the
user may click on an "Inventory Networks" button, step 156 (FIG.
8), to access the Inventory Networks function. As shown in FIG. 9,
the user will be presented with the main Inventory Network page
200. The main Inventory Networks page 200 is divided into three
sections: a Banner area, a Working area, and a Quick Link area. The
Banner and the Quick Link areas are similar to the Banner and Quick
Link areas of the main Depot page 150 , described above, with the
addition of the navigation button "Depot" which takes the user back
to the main Depot page 150 in the Banner. The Working area is where
the user can review a list of inventory networks of which the user
is a member, including both Manufacturer Inventory Networks and
Distributor Inventory Networks, which are determined from the
user's login ID and displayed as a step 202. Note that the
inventory networks are typically designated by the manufacturer
name. This is because even within a given Distributor Inventory
Network, all the products about which inventory information is
being shared are preferably manufactured by a single manufacturer.
The user is also presented a list of available Inventory Network
functions: an information network member listing function, a search
function, a file upload function, and a file download function.
[0100] Before the user can access the inventory network functions,
the user, in step 204 clicks on a desired network with the user's
mouse to select the desired network.
[0101] A first Inventory Network function the user may wish to
utilize is the Show Members function. The user, after completing
step 204, clicks on the "Show Members" button, in a step 206.
Referring now to FIG. 10, after the user completes the step 206,
the information network displays a list of the participating
members of the selected inventory network, including the member
code (an abbreviated form of the member name) and the full member
name as a step 208. The name of the selected network is also
displayed. In a step 210, the user clicks on a selected one of the
displayed member codes to select a particular member about which
the user wants to learn more information. In a step 212, the
information network displays, in addition to the network name and
the member listing, which remain visible, contact information for
the selected member, including such information as the name of the
member, address, the name of a designated contact person, and
telephone and fax numbers. The user can then click on the displayed
"Back" button to return to the main Inventory Network page 200.
[0102] Referring again to FIG. 9, a second function the user may
wish to access from the main Inventory Network page 200 is the
search function, which enables the user to search for an item
within a manufacturer's line and the item's availability at the
different vendor locations. The user, after completing the step 204
of selecting a desired inventory network, clicks on the "Search
Form" button, in a step 214, causing the search form to be
displayed. Depending on the information available on the
information network for the selected inventory network, the user
may be presented with up to three choices for searching for an
item. The user will preferably always be able to search for the
item by a part number. The inventory network members may also be
sharing alternate part designator information about the item. An
alternate part designator may be, for example, a large customer's
number for the part. Yet another option which may be available is
to search for the item an assembly number (if the item is assembled
from sub-components), in order to locate inventory which may be
used to assembly the desired assembly item. A Universal Product
Code (UPC) may also be used as a search key.
[0103] To search by part number, the user first chooses the search
by part number function, in a step 216. In a step 218, the user can
search for a part number by entering part or all of the part
number, indicate that the entered numbers are an initial string of
the part number desired, and initiate a search. Alternatively, in a
step 220, the user can search for a part number by entering part or
all of the part number, indicate that the entered numbers are a
string contained somewhere in the part number desired, and initiate
a search. In either case, the string the user enters for the part
number can be numbers, letters, non-alphanumeric symbols, or any
combination thereof In a step 220, the information network
displays, in addition to the search form which remains visible, the
results of the search. The information displayed includes, for each
owner (vendor or manufacturer) having a part for sale, a line
listing the part number of an item fitting the search criteria, the
code for the owner of the item, the quantity of the item for sale,
the price of the item, the date of the inventory listing (the date
when the owner said the item was in inventory), and possibly the
description of the item.
[0104] Note that, preferably the prices displayed within the
Inventory Network and the Electronic Commerce functions of the
process 100 may be produced either from a stated price supplied by
the owner of the item, or from a calculation of the price as a
percentage of the manufacturer's list price, based on a discount
table supplied by the owner of the item. If neither a stated price
nor a discount percentage is supplied by the owner, the listed
price will be the manufacturer's list price. Normally, in searches
generated in the Inventory Network function, either the price or
the discount will be displayed. Preferably, both price and discount
will not be displayed, to avoid confusion as to whether the
discount applies to the list price or the displayed discount
price.
[0105] In a step 222, the user clicks on a selected one of the
displayed owner codes. In a step 224, the information network
displays, in addition to the search form and the results of the
search, which remain visible, contact information for the selected
owner, including such information as the name of the owner,
address, the name of a designated contact person, and telephone and
fax numbers. The user uses the displayed "Back" button to return to
the main Inventory Network page 200.
[0106] To search for an item by an alternate part designator, in a
step 226 the user first chooses the "search by alternate part
designator" function in the search form displayed after completing
the step 214 discussed above. In a step 228, the user can search
for an alternate part designator by entering part or all of the
alternate part designator, indicate that the information entered is
an initial string of the alternate part designator desired, and
initiate a search. Alternatively, in a step 230, the user can
search for an alternate part designator by entering part or all of
the alternate part designator, indicate that the entered
information is a string contained somewhere in the alternate part
designator desired, and initiate a search. In either case, the
string the user enters for the alternate part designator can be
numbers, letters, non-alphanumeric symbols, or any combination
thereof.
[0107] In a step 232, the information network displays, in addition
to the search form that remains visible, the results of the search.
The information displayed includes, for each owner (vendor or
manufacturer) having an item for sale, a line listing the alternate
part designator of an item fitting the search criteria, the part
number of the item, the code for the owner of the item, the
quantity of the item for sale, the price of the item, and the date
of the inventory listing.
[0108] In a step 234, the user clicks on a selected one of the
displayed owner codes. In a step 236, the information network
displays, in addition to the search form and the results of the
search, which remain visible, contact information for the selected
owner, including such information as the name of the owner,
address, the name of a designated contact person, and telephone and
fax numbers. The user uses the displayed "Back" button to return to
the main Inventory Network page 200.
[0109] To search for an item by an assembly number, in a step 240
the user first chooses the "search by assembly number" function in
the search form displayed after completing the step 214 discussed
above. In a step 242, the user can search for an assembly number by
entering part or all of the assembly number, indicate that the
information entered is an initial string of the assembly number
desired, and initiate a search. Alternatively, in a step 244, the
user can search for an assembly number by entering part or all of
the assembly number, indicate that the entered information is a
string contained somewhere in the assembly number desired, and
initiate a search. In either case, the string the user enters for
the assembly number can be numbers, letters, non-alphanumeric
symbols, or any combination thereof.
[0110] In a step 246, the information network displays, in addition
to the search form which remains visible, the results of the
search. The information displayed includes the assembly number and
description of items meeting the search criteria. In a step 248,
the user clicks on the displayed assembly number of a desired
assembly.
[0111] Referring now to FIG. 9A, in a step 250, the information
network performs a lookup function in the database that forms part
of the information network. Specifically, the child components
(sub-component parts) of the selected assembly are identified in a
look-up table, as are the quantity of each child component required
to build one of the selected assemblies. The information network
then creates, as part of a step 252, a temporary table of child
components of the assembly. As a second part of the step 252, the
information network queries the master inventory table of the
information network database to determine the quantity of each
child component available.
[0112] Then an iterative loop is set up, which considers, in
sequence, each child component in the temporary table. In a first
step 254 of the iterative loop, the information network calculates,
from the number of the child components in inventory and the number
required to make a single assembly, the maximum number of
assemblies that could be built if the child component under
consideration were the critical constraint. In a next step 256, the
program compares the number calculated in the step 254 against an
existing constraint. If the calculated number is lower than the
existing critical constraint number, the number calculated-in step
254 becomes the critical constraint number, and is saved. The
previously calculated constraint number is discarded. Since no
constraint existed before the number was calculated for the first
child component in the temporary table, the number calculated in
the first iteration of the step 254 becomes the critical
constraint. If the number calculated in the step 254 is greater
than the existing critical constraint number, the calculation is
ignored, and the previously calculated critical constraint number
remains the critical constraint number. In a step 258, the
information network checks to see if all child components have been
considered. If not, the iterative loop is repeated, performing the
steps 254 and 256 for the next child component in the temporary
table. If, on the other hand, all items have been checked, the
information network displays the results in a step 260.
[0113] The information displayed in the step 260 includes the
assembly number of the selected assembly, and the number of
complete assemblies in inventory. Also displayed are the part
number of the child components required to make the selected
assembly, the quantity of each child component required to make up
a single assembly, the quantity of each child component in
inventory. The display may also suitably include indicate the owner
of the displayed components or assemblies. Finally, the maximum
number of assemblies which can be built from the displayed
quantities of child components is also displayed.
[0114] It should be noted here that, if desired, the information
network may be programmed to look at only the inventory of selected
owners participating in the inventory network. For example, a
Manufacturer Inventory Network may be set up to report the quantity
of the selected item available from the manufacturer, and the
maximum number of assemblies which may be assembled from
manufacturer's inventory. In such a situation, it would not be
necessary to display an owner code for items displayed in the step
260, since the owner will always be the manufacturer. It should be
noted that the information network may be programmed to also
generate, for example, reports which separately display the
inventory of the user, the inventory of all or selected ones of the
other vendors in the selected inventory network, and the inventory
of the manufacturer, and separately calculates the number of
assemblies which can be built from the child components of each of
these groups, or from the entire inventory available on the
network. Such customized reports can readily be generated based on
the owner codes associated with each inventory item.
[0115] In a step 262, the user selects an individual owner of a
child component or assembly to find out about which the user
desires to learn contact information. In a step 264, the
information network displays, contact information for the selected
owner, including such information as the name of the owner,
address, the name of a designated contact person, and telephone and
fax numbers. The user uses the displayed "Back" button to return to
the main Inventory Network page 200.
[0116] Referring again to FIG. 9, the user, after completing the
step 204 of selecting a desired inventory network, can also utilize
a file upload function to update information available on the
information network about the user, such as the inventory the user
has on hand. This is accomplished in a step 266 by clicking on the
"Upload" button on the main Inventory Network page 200.
[0117] Referring now to FIG. 12, the upload function is illustrated
generally at 268. As part of the upload function, the user has to
generate, in a step 270 performed on the user's computer, the
member files to be uploaded. These files are preferably computer
lookup tables, some of which are uploaded on a regular basis (e.g.,
daily) and some of which are uploaded as needed. Many of these
tables are used in the Electronic Commerce function, and will be
discussed below. However, within the Inventory Network function,
the user's inventory is regularly reported to the information
network.
[0118] Note that, in the preferred embodiment, there is a file
naming convention which the user is advised to follow. The
inventory files should be named according to the network to which
they belong (a user may be a member of more than one network, and
the inventory of each network is submitted as a separate inventory
file. The file name should equal the user's user ID and a
predefined extension which is unique for each network for which the
user is a member.
[0119] The various inventory files generated by the user are
combined with other user files to be uploaded into a single archive
file as a step 272. Preferably, the archive file is a compressed
file to speed transmission to the information network when the user
logs into the information network.
[0120] Following selection of the upload function in the step 266,
the user will be presented with the Upload File page 274. In a step
276, the user can enter, in the field displayed on the Upload File
page 274 , the file name and path of the archive file that is ready
to be uploaded. If the user does not know the file name and path,
the user clicks on the "Browse" button to browse the user's
computer for the location of the file as part of a step 278. A
dialog box will be presented. The user selects the drive from which
the user is uploading the file. The user identifies the type of
file the user is looking by highlighting "All files" or
highlighting the extension corresponding to the file extension of
the archive file that the user is uploading. Once the user has
highlighted the chosen file type, the user locates the subdirectory
or folder in which the archive file is located. The files
corresponding to the file type entered will be displayed. The user
then selects the displayed archive file for uploading as a step
280. In a final step 282 of the upload function, the user then
clicks on the "Upload File" button to upload the file selected in
the steps 276 or 280 to the information network.
[0121] Referring again to FIG. 9, after completing the step 204 of
selecting a desired inventory network, the user can also utilize a
file download function to retrieve updated information relating to
the other members of the network (such as inventory information and
member contact information). This will permit the user to access
this information offline in the user's own computer, avoiding the
costs which may be incurred for extended online access, such as
phone charges. This is initiated in a step 284 by clicking on the
"Download" button on the main Inventory Network page 200 . The user
will be presented with the Download Options page in a step 286
(FIG. 11).
[0122] The datafiles for the inventory network the user has
selected are listed, in a step 288 by name and size. In the
preferred embodiment, the same information is available in a
variety of file formats, to simplify importation into different
user's business system computers. For example, three different file
formats which may be utilized are the ".ZIP" format, in which the
file has been compressed using a commonly available ZIP compression
utility; the ".Z" format, in which the file has been compressed
using a commonly available Unix compression utility; and the ".ASC"
format which is used to indicate that the file has not been
compressed, that it is an ASCII text file.
[0123] Optionally, the information network may include a file
customized for a user that includes inventory information and
associated data such as the member contact information for all of
the user's inventory networks combined into a single file. By
downloading such a combined file, the user can avoid repetitively
performing the Download function for each inventory network of
which the user is a member. Another type of customized file which
may be provided to the user is a network inventory file which is
formatted in a custom format. Such a custom format would be used
when the user's business system computer is running a database
program utilizing the custom format. The information network may be
provided with translation programs to convert standard data files,
such as those discussed above, into data files having the custom
format.
[0124] In an optional step 290, the user can select the file
information function to learn more information about the file. In a
step 292, the information network displays additional information
about the selected file, such as file name, file size and the date
the file was last modified.
[0125] Following the steps 288 or 292, the user can select the
network inventory file that the user wishes to download, in a step
294. The user will then be presented with a dialog box from which
the user can locate the drive, and subdirectory or folder on user's
computer where the user wishes to save the selected file, to
complete a step 296. The user then initiates the file download in a
step 298. When the download is complete, the user will be returned
to the Download Options page. The user can then access the
Inventory Network information in the downloaded file offline, in a
step 300. Preferably, all of the Inventory Network functions
available online with the information network are implemented on
the user's own computer to use with the downloaded file.
[0126] It should be noted that another form of Inventory Network is
contemplated apart from the Manufacturer's Inventory Network and
the Distributor Inventory Network. This third type of Inventory
Network is a Buying Group Inventory Network. This Buying Group
Inventory Network is a departure from the model where network
members are licensed or authorized distributors of a given
manufacturer's product. Some differences between a Manufacturer's
Inventory Network and a Buying Group Inventory Network which are
contemplated are presented below:
[0127] A Buying Group Inventory Network is contemplated to serve a
large buying association of distributors, generally of a general
type of product, such as electrical products. The items bought by
the Buying Group members are intended for resale. However,
inventory information shared by the Buying Group members relates to
products manufactured by a plurality of manufacturers.
[0128] The inventory information on a Buying Group Inventory
Network can be relevant to a large number of manufacturer's
products; some members may view other members as a competitive
threat within their geographical region. For example, it may be a
competitive advantage to know that a competitor across the street
cannot supply a particular part from on-hand inventory. For this
reason, a "blocking" function may be added to the standard
functionality of the manufacturer-based networks (e.g., the
Manufacturer's Inventory Network or Distributor Inventory Network
described above). Such a blocking function would enable a member of
the Buying Group to specify those distributors which should be
blocked from having access to that member's inventory information.
When a "blocked" distributor requests information about inventory
from the Buying Group Inventory Network, the information about the
inventory of the member who blocked the distributor will not
appear. In a preferred embodiment of this function, members of such
a Buying Group Inventory Network will be limited to on-line review
of inventory information, and will not be allowed to download
inventory data for off-line searching. The rationale for limiting
data review to on-line review is the relative ease of programming
to block information about selected member's inventory in an
on-line search environment. However, it is contemplated that such
blocking could be applied to an off-line search environment as
well.
[0129] Several methods of searching a Buying Group Inventory
Network are contemplated. First, a search by catalog number may be
performed. However, since the Buying Group Inventory Network is not
manufacturer specific, various components may have the same catalog
number. For example, a switch produced by one manufacturer may be
given the same catalog number by that manufacturer as a terminal
lug produced and numbered by another manufacturer. Thus, the Buying
Group member should carefully review the results of a search
performed strictly by catalog number. A second search method would
be to first select a specific manufacturer, and then search on the
appropriate catalog number as assigned to the desired part by the
specific manufacturer. A third search method would be to search by
Universal Product Code (UPC) code number, a unique identifying
number assigned to a manufacturer's product. UPC code numbers may
be assigned by a designated trade group, for example. A commodity
code number may also be provided by a trade group. A commodity code
is a code assigned to all items of the same type, regardless of the
manufacturer. For example, all ring terminals of a given size and
service may be assigned a single commodity code number, regardless
of who makes the ring terminal. A fourth search method which is
contemplated would be a search by commodity code number, which
would return inventory information about equivalent items by
various manufacturers, which items would be available from other
Buying Group members who did not block the searcher from
information about their inventory.
[0130] It is contemplated that, among various suitable ways of
inputting this information, the trade group assigning the commodity
code numbers could produce a table which would include the
commodity code numbers, the UPC code numbers, the Manufacturer's
number, pricing information, and a description of the parts. This
table could be imported into the database that forms part of the
information network. Of course, this information can be input into
the database in any suitable fashion.
[0131] Electronic Commerce
[0132] From the main Depot page, as briefly discussed above, the
user may click on an "Electronic Commerce" button in the step 158
(FIG. 8), to access the Electronic Commerce function. The
Electronic Commerce function on the information network lets the
user access and interact with selected vendors who are members of
the information network. The vendors which the user will be able to
interact with are those vendors with which the user has entered
into an agreement (i.e., a contract) which will govern or regulate
the terms of interaction, including sales, between the parties to
the agreement. The user may enter into agreements with one or more
vendors, which will be referred to herein as the user's vendors.
Typically, the user will be restricted to entering into agreements
with vendors within whose geographic franchise area the user is
located, although that is typically determined by the rules of the
franchise agreements entered into with the various manufacturers by
the vendors as distributors of the manufacturers' products, and is
not a function of the information network.
[0133] Within the Electronic Commerce function, the user can browse
the user's vendors' inventory data and place orders and quotes with
the vendors. The user can review pricing and product availability
as well as order and quote status information of transactions that
the user has placed in the past. Electronic funds transfer may
suitably be facilitated as part of the Electronic Commerce
function.
[0134] As indicated above, to access the user's vendors' inventory
information, the user must first be an established customer of the
vendor. In other words, the vendor must have the user's company set
up with a customer number. This information is supplied to the
information network in an upload function which will be described
below.
[0135] After the user has clicked on the "Electronic Commerce"
button in the step 158, the user is presented with one of two sets
of Electronic Commerce functions, depending on whether the user is
a vendor or a customer of a vendor. Note that some users can be
both a vendor and a customer. For example, vendors on the Inventory
Network may use the Electronic Commerce function to be both vendors
and customers to each other, to facilitate transfer of inventory
identified in the Inventory Network function.
[0136] Customer Electronic Commerce
[0137] Referring first to FIG. 14, if the user is a customer, then
the user will be presented with the Electronic Commerce page 302 as
shown below. The Electronic Commerce page 302 presents a list of
all of the information network vendors that the user does business
with, in a step 304. Also presented on the Electronic Commerce page
302 , in a step 305, is an option for "Approve Requisition". As
will be discussed below in the section entitled "APPROVE
REQUISITIONS", if the user has requisition approval privileges, and
selects the Approve Requisition option displayed in the step 305,
the user is presented with a list of all open requisitions, sorted
by user name.
[0138] To initiate a commerce session with a selected vendor, the
user clicks on the selected vendor's name in a step 306. The
vendor's main page 308 will then be presented. All vendors' pages
may look the same and may offer the same menu options. However,
menu options are loaded dynamically, and, depending upon the user's
privileges with respect to the vendor, these privileges may vary
from one vendor to another. Each menu option represents a unique
vendor application. The vendor's main page is divided into three
sections: a Banner, a Menu Options area, and a Quick Search area
310. The Banner is comprised of the vendor's name and logo, and a
navigation button that takes the user back to the Electronic
Commerce page.
[0139] The Menu Options area lets the user choose the vendor's
application that the user may wish to run. The menu options may
include: "Place a New Order", "Request a New Quote", "Make a New
Requisition", "Get Order Status", "Get Quote Status", and "Get
Requisition Status".
[0140] Quick Search
[0141] The Quick Search area lets the user quickly search the
vendor's database. It would be used if the user wishes to check on
inventory availability and pricing without creating a quote, an
order, or a requisition. The Quick Search area includes a button
for initiating a display of a list of keywords used by the selected
vendor for categorizing items.
[0142] The user can search for an inventory item by either
manufacturer number or keyword. To see a list of the keywords click
on the keyword button in the Quick Search area. If the vendor has
organized their inventory by keyword, the list will be
presented.
[0143] In a step 312, the user enters the keyword to search in the
field provided and selects the Keyword search function. The user
then clicks on the "Quick Search" button to initiate a search by
keyword, in a step 314. The user will be presented with a list of
the items matching the search criteria as a step 316, including the
part number of each item, a description of the item, the local
stock quantity, the 24 hour stock quantity, the price of the item,
and the unit of measure used to establish the price. The local
stock is the quantity of the item that the vendor has in the
vendor's own inventory. The 24 hour stock is the stock of the item
that the vendor can ship within 24 hours, that is, stock available
to the vendor from the manufacturer or other vendors through the
vendors Inventory Network, as described above. Of course, time
periods other than 24 hours may be used. The user clicks on the
displayed "Back" button return to the vendor's page 308.
[0144] To search by manufacturer's part number, the user enters at
least a partial part number for the desired item in the field
provided in the Quick Search area, and selects the Manufacturer
Part Number search function in a step 318. The user then clicks on
the "Quick Search" button to initiate a search, in a step 320. The
user will be presented with a list of the items matching the search
criteria as a step 322, including the part number of each item, a
description of the item, the local stock quantity, the 24 hour
stock quantity, the price of the item, and the unit of measure used
to establish the price. The user clicks on the displayed "Back"
button return to the vendor's page 308.
[0145] Order Entry
[0146] The Order Entry application enables a user to browse the
selected vendors inventory, pricing, and product availability. The
user can add line items to an order, and enter shipping and order
administration information at the user's convenience. The user can
search for products by part number, partial part number, or
keyword. While creating an order, the user can edit or delete line
items the user has added to an order, or cancel the order entirely.
Once the user has completed an order, the user will not be able to
edit it in the Order Entry mode. However, if the vendor has not yet
processed the order, the user can edit the order using the Order
Status function that will be explained below. If the user has not
posted the order on the information network, in a preferred
embodiment, the user will not be able to retrieve it using the
Order Status function. However, a function may be provided whereby
a user can submit an order to a "scratch pad" part of the
information network, and then log-off of the network. The order
submitted to the scratch pad will not be made available to the
vendor. The user could then log-in to the information network,
finish the order which had previously been submitted to the scratch
pad, and once satisfied that the order is complete, submit the
order in the normal manner.
[0147] The user can place an order with the vendor selected in the
step 308 by clicking on the "Place a New Order" button 324 (FIG.
14).
[0148] The vendor's order entry page 325 will then be displayed
(FIG. 15). The page is divided into four sections: Banner, a Search
Area, a Dynamic area, and an Application Links area. The Banner
section presents the vendor's name and logo as well as the
navigation "Back" button used to return to the previous page. It is
contemplated that the Banner section may be omitted, and the "Back"
button may be moved to another of the three sections, such as the
Applications Links area.
[0149] The Search Criteria area includes a search form displayed in
a step 326. The search form allows the user to enter the part
information and invoke a search on the vendor's database. The
search criteria area of the page is where the user must build the
search string for the inventory item that the user wishes to
purchase. Most vendors' services let the user search by
manufacturer Part Number, customer Part Number, an Alternate Part
Number or by Keyword. There is an Item field where the user must
enter the search string of the part number or keyword associated
with the desired item, and a quantity field where the user must
enter the quantity of the item required.
[0150] The Dynamic area is where the results of searches are
displayed. The Dynamic area is also where the order line items are
presented as the user build the order. When the Place a New Order
function is first invoked, the selected vendor name and the current
order number are displayed in the Dynamic area as a step 327.
[0151] The Application Links area is where the user can invoke
functions that relate to the order entry application. The
Applications Link area is displayed as part of a step 328,
performed simultaneously with the steps 326 and 327. Links which
are included in the Applications Link area include "View Order",
"Add An Item To Order", "Submit Order", "Cancel Order", "Key Word
List", "Manual Entry", and "Shipping Information".
[0152] In a step 330, the user will normally initiate a search of
the database by first selecting the type of search to be conducted,
and then entering the search string corresponding to the user's
chosen search criteria. The choices for search criteria for finding
a desired item will preferably include manufacturer's part number,
customer part number, alternate part number, and keyword. The
search string would include at least a portion of the appropriate
designator. The string the user enters can be characters, numbers,
or non-alphanumeric symbols, or a combination thereof. For example,
if the user is searching the database by manufacturer's part
number, the user enters the part number of the item, or as much of
the part number that the user knows, in the displayed Item
field.
[0153] Next, in a step 332, the user enters the quantity that the
user wishes to buy in the Quantity field.
[0154] In a step 334, the user enters the date the user requires
the item. The date input by the user is checked for accuracy (it
must exist and be sometime in the future).
[0155] In a step indicated generally at 336, the user indicates
whether the search string the user entered in the Item field is at
the beginning of the item designator or is contained in the
somewhere in the complete item designator, or is an exact match for
the item designator. The user completes the step 336 by clicking on
the displayed "Search" button to initiate the search.
[0156] In a step 338, the results of the search will be displayed
in the Dynamic area of the page. The displayed information for each
item matching the search criteria will preferably include the part
number of the item, a description, a price, a local quantity (the
quantity that the vendor has on hand in the vendor's own
inventory), a 24 hour quantity (the quantity the vendor can obtain
in short order, as discussed above) and the unit of measure for the
item.
[0157] The price is preferably calculated based on a table uploaded
to the information network by the vendor. The table includes a list
of the customer ID's for the users authorized to conduct electronic
commerce with the vendor, and a discount percentage associated with
each customer ID for each product code. This enables the vendor to
quote different prices to different customers, with the appropriate
discounted price being displayed to the user based on the user's
user ID given at log-on. If no discount percentage is given, the
displayed price will be list price. While this discounting method
is the preferred method for determining price, it is contemplated
that other pricing may be used.
[0158] In a step 340, the user scrolls (if necessary) through the
displayed list until the user finds the item that the user wishes
to buy. Once the user has located the item, the user clicks on the
"Choose This Item" button to select the item.
[0159] In a step 342, the user can enter comments for the line item
that will be generated by selecting the item, if the user wishes.
The user then clicks on the "Add To Order" button in a step 346.
The line item will then be created.
[0160] The Order Form page with the newly created line item will be
displayed in a step 348. Included on the order form is a line
number for each item ordered, with the part number, description,
and quantity required of the item, the unit cost for the item and
the line item total cost (unit cost multiplied by the quantity
required). The Order Form page also includes a Net Cost that is
calculated by the information network, which is total of line item
total costs, and preferably excludes such costs as taxes, and
shipping and handling charges.
[0161] To add another line item, the user clicks on the "Add An
Item To Order" link in a step 350 to return to the search form
displayed in the step 326. The user then executes another search
for an inventory item by following steps 330 through 346.
[0162] If the user cannot locate the line item by searching by part
number or keyword, the user can enter a textual description and the
item will be sourced for the user by the vendor. The user clicks on
the "Manual Entry" link displayed in the Application Links section
to cause the manual entry form to be displayed in a step 352. The
manual entry form includes entry fields for part number, vendor
description, item description, date required, quantity needed, and
unit of measure. The Manual Entry function is especially useful for
non-stock or special items that the vendor can obtain, but for
which the vendor does not track information in the vendor database.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the information
network requires the user to enter quantity and required date
information. In a step 354, the user submits the manual entry order
by clicking on the "Add To Order" button displayed at the bottom of
the "manual Entry" form.
[0163] At any time, if the user wishes to view a summary of the
order the user has created, the user can click on the "View Order"
link located in the Application Links section of the page to cause
the Order Form page to be displayed in a repetition of the step
348.
[0164] In a step 356, once the user has entered all of the line
items, the user should click on the "Click Here to Enter Shipping
Information" link displayed at the top of the dynamic area of the
Order Form page. Alternatively, the user can click on the "Shipping
Info" link located in the Application Links section of the page to
select the Shipping Information entry function. This action causes
the Shipping information page to be displayed.
[0165] In a step 358, the user is prompted for a Purchase Order
(PO) number, and a Release number. The default ship-to information
is obtained using the user's customer number to find the
appropriate information from the company file and ship-to file
supplied by the vendor. The company file is a lookup table that
includes, for each customer of the vendor that is authorized to
conduct Electronic Commerce with the vendor, a customer login ID,
the associated company name, and default address information. The
ship-to file is a second lookup table that includes, for each
customer of the vendor that is authorized to conduct Electronic
Commerce with the vendor, a customer number, and alternate ship-to
address or addresses. The user is prompted to change the ship-to
address, if the user wishes, and is given the opportunity to select
an alternate ship-to address from the database table. A field is
provided so that the user can enter an "Attention" string and
attach comments to the overall order as part of the shipping
information.
[0166] The user is also prompted for shipping method and is given a
list of choices.
[0167] When the user is finished entering shipping information, the
user clicks on the displayed "Send Shipping Information" button in
a step 360. This adds the shipping information to the Order Form
page, which is automatically re-displayed.
[0168] The user can capture the displayed Order Form page for
printing, accepting the form as is, or go back and make any
corrections or deletions, or delete the entire order. The user can
also add more line items to the order by clicking on the "Add An
Item To Order" link located at the Application Links section of the
page.
[0169] The user can only edit a line item of an order while the
order entry session is still in progress. To do so, the user pulls
up the Order Form page, using the "View Order" link in the
Application Links section if needed. The user then locates and
selects the line item in the current order that the user wishes to
edit or modify in a step 362 by clicking on the "Edit" button
displayed on the associated line. The user can then change the date
required, quantity required, or the comment field in a step 364.
Once the user has completed the edits, the user clicks on the
displayed "Confirm Edit" button to enter the change to the order as
a step 366.
[0170] Similarly, the user can only delete a line item of an order
entry session in progress. To do so, the user pulls up the Order
Form page, using the "View Order" link in the Application Links
section if needed. The user then locates and selects the line item
in the current order that the user wishes to delete in a step 368
by clicking on the "Delete" button displayed on the associated
line. The line item information for the line item is displayed in a
step 370. Once the user has determined that the desired line item
is displayed, the user clicks on the displayed "Confirm Delete"
button to enter the change to the order as a step 372.
[0171] In a step 374, the user can cancel the order. The user can
only cancel an order that the user is creating. In other words, the
user can not cancel an order that has already been submitted while
in the order entry application. To cancel an order the user is
creating, the user clicks on the "Cancel Order" link in the
Application links section of the vendor's order entry page. The
user will be presented with a confirmation message indicating that
the Cancel Order function will cancel the current order (whose
order number is also preferably displayed). To complete the order
cancellation step 374, the user clicks on the "Cancel Current
Order" button displayed on the page.
[0172] If the order is to be submitted rather than cancelled, the
user clicks on the "Submit Order" link located at the Application
Links section when the user has completed the order, as a step 376.
If the shipping information has been entered, the order will then
be transmitted to the vendor via the information network. Note,
however, that if the user tries to submit the order before the user
has entered the shipping information, the order will be blocked as
a step 378. The user will be informed that the user cannot submit
the order until the user has entered the required shipping data.
The user can then click on the "Shipping Info" link located in the
Application Links section of the page to select the Shipping
Information entry function.
[0173] To return to the vendor's Electronic Commerce page, the user
clicks on the appropriate displayed button. Alternatively, the user
can click on the displayed "Back" button to return to the list of
vendors with whom the user does business.
[0174] In the preferred embodiment, when a vendor has dialed in and
requested a download from the pickup page, if a user has submitted
the order, an ASCII text file is built and a unique file name is
assigned to that order by the information network. The order is
then sent for the vendor to pick up. Although in a preferred
embodiment, no electronic mail message (e-mail) is sent, it is
contemplated that an e-mail may be sent to the vendor containing
the same information about the order. The system also checks a
special copy table for records indicating that copies of this order
are to be left in other download directories. The orders are placed
there as well. Finally, a copy is left in a master repository for
back-up and recovery purposes.
[0175] A preferred finished order format is as follows:
[0176] "An order has been placed.
[0177] Date: (Date)
[0178] Time: (Time)
[0179] With Supplier: (the name of the vendor)
[0180] Customer Number: (customer number)
[0181] PO Number: (PO number)
[0182] Release Number: (release number)
[0183] Department Number (department number)
[0184] Ship To Number: (ship to number)
[0185] Ship Via Code: (ship via code) (This is a numeric code with
a text description obtained from a separate global table)
[0186] Attention: (attention)
[0187] Ordered By: (ordered by)
[0188] Special Instructions: (comments)
[0189] Order Date: Order Date"
[0190] (The information above appears only once per order, the
information below repeats for each item number)
[0191] "Part Number: (part number)
[0192] Part Description: (description)
[0193] Required Quantity; (qty)
[0194] Customer Part Price: (price ea.)
[0195] Total Line Item Price: (total line price)
[0196] Comment: (comment)
[0197] Description: (additional descriptions for non-stock
items)"
[0198] The above information is formatted and aligned for easy
reading and can be sent by the vendor directly to a printer after
download. Note that this format is preferably the same format as
what is displayed by the View Text Of Individual Transactions
Function illustrated in FIG. 13, and the View Text Of Requisition
Function illustrated in FIG. 14.
[0199] Request A Quote
[0200] The Request A New Quote function allows a user to browse the
distributor's inventory pricing and availability, add line items to
a quote, and enter shipping and order administration information.
Except for a few changes in data requested, the quote process is
similar to the order process. The user may not be prompted for a PO
or release number, since a request for a quote is not a sale. The
user is prompted to okay the ship to address or change it and fill
in the "requested by" field, but lack of shipping information will
not prevent a quote from being submitted.
[0201] The user can submit a quote with the vendor selected in the
step 308 by clicking on the "Request a New Quote" button 380 (FIG.
14).
[0202] The vendor's new quote entry page 425 will then be displayed
(FIG. 16). The page is divided into four sections: a Banner area, a
Search area, a Dynamic area, and an Application Links area. The
Banner presents the vendor's name and logo as well as the
navigation "Back" button used to return to the previous page. It is
contemplated that the Banner section may be omitted, and the "Back"
button may be moved to another of the three sections, such as the
Applications Links area.
[0203] The Search Criteria area includes a search form displayed in
a step 426. The search form allows the user to enter the part
information and invoke a search on the vendor's database. The
search criteria area of the page is where the user must build the
search string for the inventory item that the user wishes to
receive a quote. Most vendors' services let the user search by
manufacturer Part Number, customer Part Number, an Alternate Part
Number or by Keyword. There is an Item field where the user must
enter the search string of the part number or keyword associated
with the desired item, and a quantity field where the user must
enter the quantity of the item required.
[0204] The Dynamic area is where the results of searches are
displayed. The Dynamic area is also where the request for quote
line items are presented as the user build the request for quote.
When the Request A New Quote function is first invoked, the
selected vendor name and the current request for quote number are
displayed in the Dynamic area as a step 427.
[0205] The Application Links area is where the user can invoke
functions that relate to the request for quote entry application.
The Applications Link area is displayed as part of a step 428,
performed simultaneously with the steps 426 and 427. Links which
are included in the Applications Link area include "View Quote",
"Add An Item To Quote", "Submit Quote", "Cancel Quote", "Key Word
List", "Manual Entry", and "Shipping Information".
[0206] In a step 430, the user will normally initiate a search of
the database by first selecting the type of search to be conducted,
and then entering the search string corresponding to the user's
chosen search criteria. The choices for search criteria for finding
a desired item will preferably include manufacturer's part number,
customer part number, alternate part number, and keyword. The
search string would include at least a portion of the appropriate
designator. The string the user enters can be characters, numbers,
non-alphanumeric symbols, or a combination thereof. For example, if
the user is searching the database by manufacturer's part number,
the user enters the part number of the item, or as much of the part
number that the user knows, in the displayed Item field.
[0207] Next, in a step 432, the user enters, in the Quantity field,
the quantity of the item for which the user is requesting a
quote.
[0208] In a step 434, the user enters the date the user requires
the item. The date input by the user is checked for accuracy (it
must exist and be sometime in the future).
[0209] In a step indicated generally at 436, the user indicates
whether the search string the user entered in the Item field is at
the beginning of the item designator or is contained in the
somewhere in the complete item designator, or is an exact match for
the item designator. The user completes the step 436 by clicking on
the displayed "Search" button to initiate the search.
[0210] In a step 438, the results of the search will be displayed
in the Dynamic area of the page. The displayed information for each
item matching the search criteria will preferably include the part
number of the item, a description, a price, a local quantity (the
quantity that the vendor has on hand in the vendor's own
inventory), a 24 hour quantity (the quantity the vendor can obtain
in short order, as discussed above) and the unit of measure for the
item.
[0211] The price is preferably calculated based on a table uploaded
to the information network by the vendor. The table includes a list
of the customer ID's for the users authorized to conduct electronic
commerce with the vendor, and a discount percentage associated with
each customer ID for each product code. This enables the vendor to
quote different prices to different customers, with the appropriate
discounted price being displayed to the user based on the user's
user ID given at log-on. If no discount percentage is given, the
displayed price will be list price. While this discounting method
is the preferred method for determining price, it is contemplated
that other pricing may be used.
[0212] In a step 440, the user scrolls (if necessary) through the
displayed list until the user finds the item that the user wishes
to buy. Once the user has located the item, the user clicks on the
"Choose This Item" button to select the item.
[0213] In a step 442, the user can enter comments for the line item
that will be generated by selecting the item, if the user wishes.
The user then clicks on the "Add To Quote" button in a step 446.
The line item will be then be created.
[0214] The Quote Form page with the newly created line item will be
displayed in a step 448. Included on the quote form is a line
number for each item request for quoted, with the part number,
description, and quantity required of the item, the unit cost for
the item and the line item total cost (unit cost multiplied by the
quantity required). The Quote Form page also includes a Net Cost
that is calculated by the information network, which is total of
line item total costs, and preferably excludes such costs as taxes,
and shipping and handling charges.
[0215] To add another line item, the user clicks on the "Add An
Item To Quote" link in a step 450 to return to the search form
displayed in the step 426. The user then executes another search
for an inventory item by following steps 430 through 446.
[0216] If the user cannot locate the line item by searching by part
number or keyword, the user can enter a textual description and the
item will be sourced for the user by the vendor. The user clicks on
the "Manual Entry" link displayed in the Application Links section
to cause the manual entry form to be displayed in a step 452. The
manual entry form includes entry fields for part number, vendor
description, item description, date required, quantity needed, and
unit of measure. The Manual Entry function is especially useful for
non-stock or special items that the vendor can obtain, but for
which the vendor does not track information in the vendor database.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the information
network requires the user to enter quantity and required date
information. In a step 454, the user submits the manual entry form
by clicking on the "Add To Quote" button displayed at the bottom of
the Manual Entry form.
[0217] At any time, if the user wishes to view a summary of the
request for quote the user has created, the user can click on the
"View Quote" link located in the Application Links section of the
page to cause the Quote Form page to be displayed in a repetition
of the step 448.
[0218] In a step 456, once the user has entered all of the line
items, the user should click on the "Click Here to Enter Shipping
Information" link displayed at the top of the dynamic area of the
Quote Form page. Alternatively, the user can click on the "Shipping
Info" link located in the Application Links section of the page to
select the Shipping Information entry function. This action causes
the Shipping information page to be displayed.
[0219] In a step 458, the user may enter a Purchase Order (PO)
number, and a Release number. The default ship-to information is
obtained using the user's customer number to find the appropriate
information from the company file and ship-to file supplied by the
vendor. The company file is a lookup table that includes, for each
customer of the vendor that is authorized to conduct Electronic
Commerce with the vendor, a customer number, the associated company
name, and default address information. The ship-to file is a second
lookup table that includes, for each customer of the vendor that is
authorized to conduct Electronic Commerce with the vendor, a
customer number, and alternate ship-to address or addresses. The
user is prompted to change the ship-to address, if the user wishes,
and is given the opportunity to select an alternate ship-to address
from the database table. A field is provided so that the user can
enter an "Attention" string and attach comments to the overall
request for quote as part of the shipping information.
[0220] The user is also prompted for shipping method and is given a
list of choices.
[0221] When the user is finished entering shipping information, the
user clicks on the displayed "Send Shipping Information" button in
a step 460. This adds the shipping information to the Quote Form
page, which is automatically re-displayed.
[0222] The user can capture the displayed Quote Form page for
printing, accepting the form as is, or go back and make any
corrections or deletions, or delete the entire request for quote.
The user can also add more line items to the request for quote by
clicking on the "Add An Item To Quote" link located at the
Application Links section of the page.
[0223] The user can only edit a line item of a request for a quote
while the quote entry session is still in progress. To do so, the
user pulls up the Quote Form page, using the "View Quote" link in
the Application Links section if needed. The user then locates and
selects the line item in the current request for quote that the
user wishes to edit or modify in a step 462 by clicking on the
"Edit" button displayed on the associated line. The user can then
change the date required, quantity required, or the comment field
in a step 464. Once the user has completed the edits, the user
clicks on the displayed "Confirm Edit" button to enter the change
to the request for quote as a step 466.
[0224] Similarly, the user can only delete a line item of a request
for a quote while the quote entry session is still in progress. To
do so, the user pulls up the Quote Form page, using the "View
Quote" link in the Application Links section if needed. The user
then locates and selects the line item in the current request for
quote that the user wishes to delete in a step 468 by clicking on
the "Delete" button displayed on the associated line. The line item
information for the line item is displayed in a step 470. Once the
user has determined that the desired line item is displayed, the
user clicks on the displayed "Confirm Delete" button to enter the
change to the request for quote as a step 472.
[0225] In a step 474, the user can cancel the request for quote.
The user can only cancel a request for quote that the user is
creating. In other words, the user can not cancel a request for
quote that has already been submitted while in the request for
quote entry application. To cancel a request for quote that the
user is creating, the user clicks on the "Cancel Quote" link in the
Application links section of the vendor's request for quote entry
page. The user will be presented with a confirmation message
indicating that the Cancel Quote function will cancel the current
request for quote (whose request for quote number is also
preferably displayed). To complete the request for quote
cancellation step 474, the user clicks on the "Cancel Current
Quote" button displayed on the page.
[0226] If the request for quote is to be submitted rather than
cancelled, the user clicks on the "Submit Quote" link located at
the Application Links section when the user has completed the
request for quote, as a step 476. Note that, unlike the Order
function, if the user tries to submit the request for quote before
the user has entered the shipping information, the request for
quote will not be blocked.
[0227] To return to the vendor's Electronic Commerce page, the user
clicks on the appropriate displayed button. Alternatively, the user
can click on the displayed "Back" button to return to the list of
vendors with whom the user does business.
[0228] In the preferred embodiment, after the quote is built, the
user can confirm and send off the quote, modify it, delete it, or
capture it for printing. Also, in the preferred embodiment, when a
vendor has dialed in and requested a download from the pickup page,
if a user has submitted the quote, a submitted quote is named
uniquely and placed in the download directory of the vendor. The
copy table is checked and a duplicate will be sent to the download
area specified there. The master repository receives a duplicate of
the quote. If the function is implemented, an e-mail may be sent to
the vendor with information about the quote.
[0229] Requisition
[0230] Some information networks may implement a requisition
function, of which end-users may wish to take advantage.
Requisitions are used in businesses where not all users have the
authority to place orders. These users enter the material needed as
requisitions. These requisitions are then reviewed and accepted or
rejected by others of higher authority in the corporate
organization, as will be discussed below. As such, an
authentication method exists to link certain login ids with the
ability to approve or reject requisitions created by other users.
The Requisition function lets the user to browse the user's
vendor's inventory pricing and availability, add line items to the
requisition, and enter shipping and order administration
information. The user can search for inventory by part number or
key word.
[0231] Briefly, the process for creating a requisition is much the
same as the order entry scheme. All the search modes and item input
methods from order entry exist in the requisition function as well.
The user is prompted for the same information as in the order entry
process. When the user has finished building the requisition, the
user is prompted for PO number, release number, and requisition
number. The user is asked to accept or change the ship-to address.
The user can input an "Attention" field and special instructions.
The total of the requisition can be displayed when the requisition
appears complete. At this point the user can print the requisition
locally, modify it, or accept it. Upon acceptance, when submitting
the requisition, the user views the total detail of the requisition
one last time and can confirm, print or delete the requisition.
[0232] This final confirmation writes the created document to the
database tables. The requisition number becomes the number input by
the user. An information network numbering process guarantee
uniqueness. The user ID is captured and written to the tables as
the requisition by field.
[0233] While creating a requisition, the user can edit or delete
line items that the user has created or cancel the requisition
completely. When the user completes the requisition, the user posts
the requisition to the information network electronically.
Different individuals in the user's organization can review the
requisition and approve the requisition by converting the
requisition to an order or reject the requisition. It is also
contemplated that a function may be implemented to allow the
reviewing individuals to convert the requisition to a quote. Once
the requisition has been approved and converted to an order, the
order is sent to the vendor electronically. If the vendor has not
processed the order yet, the user can edit the order in the Order
Status application.
[0234] Now referring to FIGS. 14 and 17, the requisition process
will now be described in detail. The user can submit a requisition
to the vendor selected in the step 308 by clicking on the "Make a
New Requisition" button 500 (FIG. 14).
[0235] The vendor's new requisition entry page 525 will then be
displayed (FIG. 17). The page is divided into four sections:
Banner, a Search Area, a Dynamic area, and an Application Links
area. The Banner presents the vendor's name and logo as well as the
navigation "Back" button used to return to the previous page. It is
contemplated that the Banner section may be omitted, and the "Back"
button provided in one of the other sections of the page. The
Search Criteria area includes a search form displayed in a step
526. The search form allows the user to enter the part information
and invoke a search on the vendor's database. The search criteria
area of the page is where the user must build the search string for
the inventory item that the user wishes to receive a requisition.
Most vendors' services let the user search by Manufacturer Part
Number, Customer Part Number, Alternate Part Number, or by Keyword.
There is an Item field where the user must enter the search string
of the part number or keyword associated with the desired item, and
a quantity field where the user must enter the quantity of the item
required.
[0236] The Dynamic area is where the results of searches are
displayed. The Dynamic area is also where the requisition line
items are presented as the user build the requisition. When the
Requisition function is first invoked, the selected vendor name and
the current requisition number are displayed in the Dynamic area as
a step 527.
[0237] The Application Links area is where the user can invoke
functions that relate to the requisition entry application. The
Applications Link area is displayed as part of a step 528,
performed simultaneously with the steps 526 and 527. Links which
are included in the Applications Link area include "View
Requisition", "Add An Item To Requisition", "Submit Requisition",
"Cancel Requisition", "Keyword List", "Manual Entry", and "Shipping
Information".
[0238] In a step 530, the user will normally initiate a search of
the database by first selecting the type of search to be conducted,
and then entering the search string corresponding to the user's
chosen search criteria. The choices for search criteria for finding
a desired item will preferably include manufacturer's part number,
customer part number, alternate part number, and keyword. The
search string would include at least a portion of the appropriate
designator. The string the user enters can be characters, numbers,
non-alphanumeric symbols, or a combination thereof. For example, if
the user is searching the database by manufacturer's part number,
the user enters the part number of the item, or as much of the part
number that the user knows, in the displayed Item field.
[0239] Next, in a step 532, the user enters, in the Quantity field,
the quantity of the item for which the user is making a
requisition.
[0240] In a step 534, the user enters the date the user requires
the item. The date input by the user is checked for accuracy (it
must exist and be sometime in the future).
[0241] In a step indicated generally at 536, the user indicates
whether the search string the user entered in the Item field is at
the beginning of the item designator or is contained in the
somewhere in the complete item designator, or is an exact match for
the item designator. The user completes the step 536 by clicking on
the displayed "Search" button to initiate the search.
[0242] In a step 538, the results of the search will be displayed
in the Dynamic area of the page. The displayed information for each
item matching the search criteria will preferably include the part
number of the item, a description, a price, a local quantity (the
quantity that the vendor has on hand in the vendor's own
inventory), a 24 hour quantity (the quantity the vendor can obtain
in short order, as discussed above) and the unit of measure for the
item.
[0243] The price is preferably calculated based on a table uploaded
to the information network by the vendor. The table includes a list
of the customer ID's for the users authorized to conduct electronic
commerce with the vendor, and a discount percentage associated with
each customer ID for each product code. This enables the vendor to
quote different prices to different customers, with the appropriate
discounted price being displayed to the user based on the user's
user ID given at log-on. If no discount percentage is given, the
displayed price will be list price. While this discounting method
is the preferred method for determining price, it is contemplated
that other pricing may be used.
[0244] In a step 540, the user scrolls (if necessary) through the
displayed list until the user finds the item that the user wishes
to buy. Once the user has located the item, the user clicks on the
"Choose This Item" button to select the item.
[0245] In a step 542, the user can enter comments for the line item
that will be generated by selecting the item, if the user wishes.
The user then clicks on the "Add To Requisition" button in a step
546. The line item will be then be created.
[0246] The Requisition Form page with the newly created line item
will be displayed in a step 548. Included on the requisition form
is a line number for each item requisitioned, with the part number,
description, and quantity required of the item, the unit cost for
the item and the line item total cost (unit cost multiplied by the
quantity required). The Requisition Form page also includes a Net
Cost that is calculated by the information network, which is total
of line item total costs, and preferably excludes such costs as
taxes, and shipping and handling charges.
[0247] To add another line item, the user clicks on the "Add An
Item To Requisition" link in a step 550 to return to the search
form displayed in the step 526. The user then executes another
search for an inventory item by following steps 530 through
546.
[0248] If the user cannot locate the line item by searching by part
number or keyword, the user can enter a textual description and the
item will be sourced for the user by the vendor. The user clicks on
the "Manual Entry" link displayed in the Application Links section
to cause the manual entry form to be displayed in a step 552. The
manual entry form includes entry fields for part number, vendor
description, item description, date required, quantity needed, and
unit of measure. The Manual Entry function is especially useful for
non-stock or special items that the vendor can obtain, but for
which the vendor does not track information in the vendor database.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the information
network requires the user to enter quantity and required date
information. In a step 554, the user submits the manual entry form
by clicking on the "Add To Requisition" link displayed at the
bottom of the Manual Entry form.
[0249] At any time, if the user wishes to view a summary of the
requisition the user has created, the user can click on the "View
Requisition" link located in the Application Links section of the
page to cause the Requisition Form page to be displayed in a
repetition of the step 548.
[0250] In a step 556, once the user has entered all of the line
items, the user should click on the "Click Here to Enter Shipping
Information" link displayed at the top of the dynamic area of the
Requisition Form page. Alternatively, the user can click on the
"Shipping Info" link located in the Application Links section of
the page to select the Shipping Information entry function. This
action causes the Shipping information page to be displayed.
[0251] In a step 558, the user may enter a Purchase Order (PO)
number, and a Release number. The default ship-to information is
obtained using the user's customer number to find the appropriate
information from the company file and ship-to file supplied by the
vendor. The company file is a lookup table that includes, for each
customer of the vendor that is authorized to conduct Electronic
Commerce with the vendor, a customer number, the associated company
name, and default address information. The ship-to file is a second
lookup table that includes, for each customer of the vendor that is
authorized to conduct Electronic Commerce with the vendor, a
customer number, and alternate ship-to address or addresses. The
user is prompted to change the ship-to address, if the user wishes,
and is given the opportunity to select an alternate ship-to address
from the database table. A field is provided so that the user can
enter an "Attention" string and attach comments to the overall
requisition as part of the shipping information.
[0252] The user is also prompted for shipping method and is given a
list of choices.
[0253] When the user is finished entering shipping information, the
user clicks on the displayed "Send Shipping Information" button in
a step 560. This adds the shipping information to the Requisition
Form page, which is automatically re-displayed.
[0254] The user can capture the displayed Requisition Form page for
printing, accepting the form as is, or go back and make any
corrections or deletions, or delete the entire requisition. The
user can also add more line items to the requisition by clicking on
the "Add An Item To Requisition" link located at the Application
Links section of the page.
[0255] The user can only edit a line item of a requisition entry
session in progress. To do so, the user pulls up the Requisition
Form page, using the "View Requisition" link in the Application
Links section if needed. The user then locates and selects the line
item in the current requisition that the user wishes to edit or
modify in a step 562 by clicking on the "Edit" button displayed on
the associated line. The user can then change the date required,
quantity required, or the comment field in a step 564. Once the
user has completed the edits, the user clicks on the displayed
"Confirm Edit" button to enter the change to the requisition as a
step 566.
[0256] Similarly, the user can only delete a line item of a
requisition entry session in progress. To do so, the user pulls up
the Requisition Form page, using the "View Requisition" link in the
Application Links section if needed. The user then locates and
selects the line item in the current requisition that the user
wishes to delete in a step 568 by clicking on the "Delete" button
displayed on the associated line. The line item information for the
line item is displayed in a step 570. Once the user has determined
that the desired line item is displayed, the user clicks on the
displayed "Confirm Delete" button to enter the change to the
requisition as a step 572.
[0257] In a step 574, the user can cancel the requisition. The user
can only cancel a requisition that the user is creating. In other
words, the user can not cancel a requisition that has already been
submitted while in the requisition entry application. To cancel a
requisition the user is creating, the user clicks on the "Cancel
Requisition" link in the Application links section of the vendor's
requisition entry page. The user will be presented with a
confirmation message indicating that the Cancel Requisition
function will cancel the current requisition (whose requisition
number is also preferably displayed). To complete the requisition
cancellation step 574, the user clicks on the "Cancel Current
Requisition" button displayed on the page.
[0258] If the requisition is to be submitted rather than cancelled,
the user clicks on the "Submit Requisition" link located at the
Application Links section when the user has completed the
requisition, as a step 576. In a preferred embodiment, the
requisition will be blocked if the user tries to submit the
requisition before the user has entered the shipping information.
However, it is contemplated that in some embodiments, the
requisition will not be blocked if the shipping information is not
present.
[0259] To return to the vendor's Electronic Commerce page, the user
clicks on the appropriate displayed button. Alternatively, the user
can click on the displayed "Back" button to return to the list of
vendors with whom the user does business.
[0260] The requisition processes and tables, while similar to
orders and quotes have some differences. The information supplied
to the detail and header tables in the vendor's database is
supplied by customers. The vendors do not update this information
and in many cases do not know this information exists. Also, the
information created within the requisition cycle creates, modifies,
and deletes database table records.
[0261] Order Status
[0262] The Order Status function on the information network lets
the user review orders that the user has previously placed with the
user's vendors. The orders are grouped into three categories: New
Orders, Orders in Process and Processed Orders. The user can review
the line item details of any order listed. All new orders can be
edited or deleted.
[0263] The user can review orders that the user has previously
placed with the user's vendor, selected in the step 308, by
clicking on the "Get Order Status" button 600 (FIG. 14).
[0264] The vendor's Order Status page 602 will then be displayed
(FIG. 18). The vendor's Order Status page 602 is divided into four
sections: Banner, Links, New Orders, Orders in Process and
Processed Orders. Note that, instead of presenting a Processed
Orders section on the Order Status page 602 , it is contemplated
that a separate page (not shown) may be provided to display
processed orders, with a navigation button provided on the Order
Status page 602 to send the user to the separate page displaying
processed orders. The functionality of the separate page displaying
processed orders would be the same as the Processed Orders section
of the Order Status page 602 with respect to the processed
orders.
[0265] Preferably, the display is provided with a scrolling
function to permit the sections of interest to be displayed in
sufficiently large type for normal viewing with a number of orders
listed in each of the New Orders, Orders in Process, and Processed
Orders sections. The Banner presents the vendor's name and logo as
well as the "Back" navigation button to return to the previous
page. Again, it is contemplated that the Banner section may be
omitted, with the "Back" navigation button being moved to another
section of the Order Status page 602.
[0266] The Links section lets the user move directly to the
beginning of each of the list of New Orders, Orders to be
Processed, or Processed Orders, without scrolling.
[0267] The New Orders section lists, in a step 604, all new orders
that the user has created. New Orders section preferably displays
new orders in sequential order by date, and includes a listing of
the order number, the date of the order, and the vendor name (which
is the vendor selected in the step 306 (FIG. 14).
[0268] The Orders to be Processed section lists, in a step 606,
orders that the user as created and that are waiting to be
processed on the vendor selected in the step 306 (FIG. 14). The
Orders to be Processed section also preferably displays the orders
awaiting processing by the vendor in sequential order by date, and
likewise includes a listing of the order number, the date of the
order, and the vendor name.
[0269] The Processed Orders section lists, in a step 608 performed
simultaneously with the steps 604 and 606, orders that the user has
created that have been processed by the vendor. The Processed
Orders section preferably displays the processed order in
sequential order by the date the order was processed by the vendor.
The Processed Orders section preferably displays, for each
processed order, the order number assigned by the vendor, the date
the order was processed by the vendor, the purchase order number,
the release number assigned by the user, "ordered by" information
(identification of the user who placed the order), shipping cost,
handling cost, tax, and status (assigned by vendor).
[0270] To review the line item details of any order in the
Processed Orders section, in a step 610 the user clicks on the
order number to select the order to be reviewed. In a step 612, the
information network displays the line item information for the
order, including line number, part number, description, price,
quantity of the item ordered, quantity shipped (note that one
status which might be displayed in the step 608 above is an
indication that some items are on backorder), last shipping date,
and the total cost for the line. When the user is finished
reviewing the line item detail, the user can click on the "Back"
button to return to the Order Status page 602 .
[0271] Similarly, to review the line item details of any order in
the Orders to be Processed section, in a step 614, the user clicks
on the order number to select the order to be reviewed. In a step
616, the information network displays the order form with line item
information for the order, including line number, part number,
description, quantity of the item ordered, date required, unit cost
for each item, and the total cost for the line. The order
information is also displayed, including the purchase order number,
the shipping information (address, shipping method, etc.), and the
net cost (exclusive of shipping, handling, and tax). When the user
is finished reviewing the line item detail, the user can click on
the "Back" button to return to the Order Status page 602.
[0272] To review the line item details of any order in the New
Orders section, in a step 618, the user clicks on the order number
to select the order to be reviewed. In a step 620, the information
network displays the order form with line item information for the
order, including line number, part number, description, quantity of
the item ordered, date required, unit cost for each item, and the
total cost for the line. The order information is also displayed,
including the purchase order number, the shipping information
(address, shipping method, etc.), and the net cost (exclusive of
shipping, handling, and tax). When the user is finished reviewing
the line item detail, the user can click on the "Back" button to
return.
[0273] Unlike the Orders to be Processed and the Processed Orders
sections, the New Orders section provides control buttons to enable
editing or deleting a new order. The user can only edit or delete
an order if the order has not begun to be processed by the user's
vendor.
[0274] To edit a new order, the user locates the order that the
user wishes to edit in the New Orders table, and, in a step 622,
clicks on the "Edit Item" button. The user will be linked, in a
step 624, to the Order Form page displayed in the step 348 above
(FIG. 15), with all of the information in the new order displayed.
The user can then edit the line items, add line items, delete line
items, or perform any other Order function available from the Order
Form. Once the user has finished editing the order, the user clicks
on the "Submit Order" link of the Order Form page to cause the
changes to the order to be sent to the user's vendor.
[0275] To delete a new order, the user locates the order that the
user wishes to edit in the New Orders table, and, in a step 626,
clicks on the "Delete Item" button. The user will be presented with
an order summary page. Once the user has reviewed the order and are
sure that the user wishes to delete the order, in a step 628 the
user clicks on the displayed "Delete This Item" button. The order
will be deleted and the user will be returned to the vendor's
orders status page 602.
[0276] Quote Status
[0277] The Quote Status function on the information network lets
the user review quotes that the user has previously placed with the
user's vendors. The quotes are grouped into two categories: New
Quotes, and Processed Quotes. The user can review the line item
details of any quote listed. All quotes (new and processed) can be
edited, deleted, converted to an order, or converted to a
requisition.
[0278] The user can review quotes that the user has previously
placed with the user's vendor, selected in the step 308, by
clicking on the "Get Quote Status" button 630 (FIG. 14).
[0279] The vendor's Quote Status page 632 will then be displayed
(FIG. 19). The vendor's Quote Status page 632 is divided into three
sections: Banner, Links, New Quotes, and Processed Quotes. It is
contemplated that instead of being displayed as a section on the
Quote Status page 632 , the Processed Quotes section can be
displayed on a separate page (not shown) accessed by a navigation
button (not shown) displayed on the Quote Status page 632 .
Preferably, the display is provided with a scrolling function to
permit the sections of interest to be displayed in sufficiently
large type for normal viewing with a number of quotes listed in
each of the New Quotes and Processed Quotes sections. The Banner
presents the vendor's name and logo as well as the "Back"
navigation button to return to the previous page. The Banner may be
omitted, and the "Back" button moved to other sections of the page.
The Links section lets the user move directly to the beginning of
each of the list of New Quotes or Processed Quotes, without
scrolling.
[0280] The New Quotes section lists, in a step 634, all new quotes
that the user has created. New Quotes section preferably displays
new quotes in sequential quote by date, and includes a listing of
the quote number, the date of the quote, and the vendor name (which
is the vendor selected in the step 306 (FIG. 14).
[0281] The Processed Quotes section lists, in a step 638 performed
simultaneously with the step 634, quotes that the user has created
that have been processed by the vendor. The Processed Quotes
section preferably displays the processed quote in sequential order
by the date the quote was processed by the vendor. The Processed
Quotes section preferably displays, for each processed quote, the
quote number assigned by the vendor, the date the quote was
processed by the vendor, and the vendor name.
[0282] For each quote, whether a New Quote or a Processed Quote,
several control buttons are displayed: "Edit Item", "Order Item",
"Delete Item", and (optionally) "Request Item".
[0283] To review the line item details of any quote in either the
New Quote section or the Processed Quotes section, in a step 640
the user clicks on the quote number to select the quote to be
reviewed. In a step 642, the information network displays the quote
form with line item information for the quote, including line
number, part number, description, quantity of the item required,
date required, unit cost for each item, and the total cost for the
line. The quote information is also displayed, including the
purchase quote number, the shipping information (address, shipping
method, etc.), and the net cost (exclusive of shipping, handling,
and tax). When the user is finished reviewing the line item detail,
the user can click on the "Back" button to return to the Quote
Status page 632.
[0284] To edit any quote, the user locates the quote that the user
wishes to edit in the New Quotes or Processed Quotes sections, and,
in a step 644, clicks on the "Edit Item" button. The user will be
linked, in a step 646, to the Quote Form page displayed in the step
448 above (FIG. 16), with all of the information in the selected
quote displayed. The user can then edit the line items, add line
items, delete line items, or perform any other Quote function
available from the Quote Form page. Once the user has finished
editing the quote, the user clicks on the "Submit Quote" link of
the Quote Form page to cause the changes to the quote to be sent to
the user's vendor.
[0285] To delete any quote, the user locates the quote that the
user wishes to edit in the New Quotes or Processed Quotes sections,
and, in a step 648, clicks on the "Delete Item" button. In a step
649, the user will be presented with a quote summary page. The
information network displays the quote form with line item
information for the quote, including line number, part number,
description, quantity of the item required, date required, unit
cost for each item, and the total cost for the line. The quote
information is also displayed, including the purchase quote number,
the shipping information (address, shipping method, etc.), and the
net cost (exclusive of shipping, handling, and tax). Once the user
has reviewed the quote and is sure that the user wishes to delete
the quote, in a step 650 the user clicks on the displayed "Delete
This Item" button. The quote will be deleted and the user will be
returned to the vendor's Quote Status page 632.
[0286] To convert any quote into an order, the user locates the
quote that the user wishes to convert into an order in the New
Quotes or Processed Quotes sections, and, in a step 652, clicks on
the "Order Item" button. In a step 654, the user will be presented
with a quote summary page. The information network displays the
quote form with line item information for the quote, including line
number, part number, description, quantity of the item required,
date required, unit cost for each item, and the total cost for the
line. The quote information is also displayed, including the
purchase quote number, the shipping information (address, shipping
method, etc.), and the net cost (exclusive of shipping, handling,
and tax).
[0287] Once the user has reviewed the quote, if the user wishes to
convert the quote to an order without making any changes, the user
clicks on the displayed "Make Into Order AS IS" button, in a step
656. The quote will be converted to an order and the user will be
returned to the Quote Status page 632 (if the shipping information
was entered).
[0288] If the user wishes to convert the quote to an order but make
changes to it, the user clicks on the displayed "Make Order AND
EDIT" button in a step 658. The user will be linked, in a step 660
to the Order Form page displayed in the step 348 above (FIG. 15),
with all of the information which was in the selected quote
displayed as part of an order in the process of being created. The
user can then edit the line items, add line items, delete line
items, or perform any other Order function available from the Order
Form. Once the user has finished editing, the user clicks on the
"Submit Order" link of the Order Form page to cause the order to be
sent to the user's vendor.
[0289] In some embodiments of the invention, the user may be
presented with a "Request Item" to enable the user to convert any
quote into a requisition. The user locates the quote that the user
wishes to convert into a requisition in the New Quotes or Processed
Quotes sections and, in a step 662, clicks on the "Request Item"
button. In a step 664, the user will be presented with a quote
summary page. The information network displays the quote form with
line item information for the quote, including line number, part
number, description, quantity of the item required, date required,
unit cost for each item, and the total cost for the line. The quote
information is also displayed, including the purchase quote number,
the shipping information (address, shipping method, etc.), and the
net cost (exclusive of shipping, handling, and tax).
[0290] Once the user has reviewed the quote, if the user wishes to
convert the quote to a requisition without making any changes, the
user clicks on the displayed "Make Into Requisition AS IS" button,
in a step 666. The quote will be converted to a requisition and the
user will be returned to the Quote Status page 632 (if the shipping
information was entered).
[0291] If the user wishes to make changes to a quote before
converting the quote to a requisition, the user clicks on the
displayed "Make Requisition AND EDIT" button in a step 668. The
user will be linked, in a step 670 to the Requisition Form page
displayed in the step 548 above (FIG. 17), with all of the
information which was in the selected quote displayed as part of a
requisition in the process of being created. The user can then edit
the line items, add line items, delete line items, or perform any
other Requisition function available from the Requisition Form.
Once the user has finished editing, the user clicks on the "Submit
Requisition" link of the Requisition Form page to cause the
requisition to be submitted.
[0292] Requisition Status
[0293] The Requisition Status function lets the user review
requisitions that the user has previously placed on the information
network. When a requisition is created, it does not get sent to the
vendor until it is converted into an order by the Approve
Requisition function discussed below with respect to FIG. 14. It is
contemplated that in some embodiments, the requisition could be
converted either into an order, or into a quote. The user can
review the line item details of any requisition listed. All
requisitions can be viewed, edited, or deleted.
[0294] The user can review requisitions that the user has
previously created corresponding to the user's vendor, selected in
the step 308, by clicking on the "Get Requisition Status" button
680 (FIG. 14).
[0295] The vendor's Requisition Status page 682 will then be
displayed (FIG. 20). The vendor's Requisition Status page 682 is
divided into two sections: Banner (which contains the selected
vendor's name and logo, and a control button to return to the
previous page), and a Requisitions section. Preferably, the display
is provided with a scrolling function to permit the requisitions of
interest to be displayed in sufficiently large type for normal
viewing with a number of requisitions listed.
[0296] The Requisitions section lists, in a step 684, all new
requisitions that the user has created. The Requisitions section
preferably displays new requisitions in sequential order by date,
and includes a listing of the requisition number, the date of the
requisition, and the vendor name (which is the vendor selected in
the step 306 (FIG. 14).
[0297] For each requisition shown in the Requisitions section, two
control buttons are displayed "Edit Item", and "Delete Item".
[0298] To review the line item details of any requisition, in a
step 690 the user clicks on the requisition number to select the
requisition to be reviewed. In a step 692, the information network
displays the requisition form with line item information for the
requisition, including line number, part number, description,
quantity of the item required, date required, unit cost for each
item, and the total cost for the line. The requisition information
is also displayed, including the purchase order number, the
shipping information (address, shipping method, etc.), and the net
cost (exclusive of shipping, handling, and tax). When the user is
finished reviewing the line item detail, the user can click on the
"Back" button to return to the Requisition Status page 682.
[0299] To edit any requisition, the user locates the requisition
that the user wishes to edit in the Requisitions section, and, in a
step 694, clicks on the "Edit Item" button. The user will be
linked, in a step 696, to the Requisition Form page displayed in
the step 548 above (FIG. 17), with all of the information in the
selected requisition displayed. The user can then edit the line
items, add line items, delete line items, or perform any other
Requisition function available from the Requisition Form page. Once
the user has finished editing the requisition, the user clicks on
the "Submit Requisition" link of the Requisition Form page to cause
the changes to the requisition to be sent registered and
stored.
[0300] To delete any requisition, the user locates the requisition
that the user wishes to delete in the Requisition sections, and, in
a step 697, clicks on the "Delete Item" button. In a step 698, the
user will be presented with a requisition summary page. The
information network displays the requisition form with line item
information for the requisition, including line number, part
number, description, quantity of the item required, date required,
unit cost for each item, and the total cost for the line. The
requisition information is also displayed, including the purchase
order number, the shipping information (address, shipping method,
etc.), and the net cost (exclusive of shipping, handling, and tax).
Once the user has reviewed the requisition and is sure that the
user wishes to delete the requisition, in a step 699 the user
clicks on the displayed "Delete This Item" button. The requisition
will be deleted and the user will be returned to the vendor's
Requisition Status page 682.
[0301] Approve Requisition
[0302] Referring again to FIG. 14, if the user (as identified by
the ID supplied during the log-on step 104) is an individual
authorized to approve requisitions, an option to approve
requisitions is displayed in the step 305. By selection this
option, in a step 700, the user can initiate the requisition
approval process.
[0303] In a step 702, a list of requisitions awaiting the user's
approval is displayed, sorted by the user ID of the user that
placed the respective requisition. The user can view all
requisitions created by members of the information network whose
ID's are identified in the database of the information network as
belonging to members whose requisitions the user is authorized to
approve or reject. Preferably, the list displayed in the step 702
includes not only requisitions for items carried by the vendor
selected in step 306, but also includes requisitions placed against
all vendors. The requisition summary list displayed in the step 702
preferably includes at least the requisition number, the vendor
code, the customer number, and the date of the requisition. In
addition, for each requisition, the following controls are
displayed: "View Text", "View Form", "Edit Requisition", "Approve
Requisition", and "Delete Requisition".
[0304] In a step 703, the user can click on the "Edit Requisition"
control to view the information contained in the requisition in an
editable form. To accomplish this, the user is returned to the
requisition entry page displayed in the step 525 (FIG. 17), with
the data contained in the requisition already filled out. Once the
requisition is modified, the user can submit the requisition in the
submission step 576 discussed above. The user can then approve the
requisition as will be described below.
[0305] The user can, in a step 704, click on the "View Text"
control to view the information contained in the requisition in a
sequential format. Preferably, file format displayed is similar to
that of the finished file format discussed above with respect to
the Order Entry function.
[0306] The user can, in a step 706, click on the "View Form"
control to view the data contained in the requisition in a Packing
Slip format, including a section for purchasing information,
including Purchase Order number, release number and ship to number.
The form view also displays the shipping information, including the
company, an attention line (designating an individual at the
company), an address, and shipping instructions. The order
information included includes, for each line item, a line number, a
part number for the item, a description of the item, the quantity
required, the date required, a unit cost and the line item total
cost. A total cost for the order, excluding tax, shipping, and
handling is also displayed.
[0307] The user can delete the requisition in a step 707 by
clicking on the delete requisition control. Typically, the user
will be presented with a page having only the summary of the
requisition selected for rejection, and be required to verify that
the user is deleting the correct requisition by activating a second
delete requisition control.
[0308] The user can also approve the requisition by clicking on the
Approve Requisition control in a step 708. In one preferred
embodiment, the user will be presented with a page having only the
summary of the requisition selected for approval. The user can turn
the requisition into an order by actuating a "Convert Requisition
To Order" control in a step 710. In a step 712, the requisition
data is captured, and the user is linked to the Order Form page
displayed in step 348 above. There, the data is pulled into the
order entry logic for final data input. It is contemplated that
other arrangements for approving requisitions may be utilized.
[0309] Preferably, the requisition can alternatively be turned into
a quote. A "Convert Requisition To Quote" control is preferably
also displayed after the user completes the step 708. In a step
714, the user can actuate the "Convert Requisition To Quote"
control. In a subsequent step 716, the requisition data is
captured, and the user is linked to the Quote Form page displayed
in step 448 above. There, the data is pulled into the quote entry
logic for final data input.
[0310] The proper status and explanation codes are added to the
database based upon the approval choice.
[0311] When the requisition is deleted in the status views, the
status of the deleted transaction is changed to "DL" in the
information network tables. The record is removed after a
predetermined time period. The requisition record information is
only removed from the information network data tables. The
customers may told to do this on a regular basis, however, in order
to insure that storage space is not being wasted on old information
these tables are preferably periodically scanned for dead
records.
[0312] Vendor Electronic Commerce
[0313] Referring now to FIG. 13, the electronic commerce (EC)
function for vendors is illustrated generally at 720. Vendors have
some needs that customer users of electronic commerce do not. The
EC function provides the vendors with access to an area that allows
the vendors to download orders and quotes. Although in some
embodiments, customers are prohibited from changing information for
a transaction that a vendor has already viewed or downloaded, in
other embodiments vendors can be sent cancellation notes from
customers, which cancellations are downloaded through the same area
as the orders and quotes. The EC function 720 also enables vendors
to be able to upload their data files to the database server. The
orders, quotes and notes that the vendors will be downloading are
preferably standard text files, although it is contemplated that
these files may be compressed or converted to other file formats,
such as EDI 850 format, or standard delimited file formats, before
delivery over the information network, if preferred by the vendor.
The browser used to interface with the information network should
be able to handle this file transfer function rather than merely
displaying data from the files. The EC function 720 also enables
vendors to maintain this download directory and purge out files
that they have already downloaded.
[0314] After the user has clicked on the "Electronic Commerce"
button in the step 158 (FIG. 8), if the user is a vendor, then the
vendor Electronic Commerce page is displayed as a step 722 (FIG.
13).
[0315] One action the user may take when the vendor Electronic
Commerce page is displayed is to upload files to information
network, by clicking on the "Upload" button in a step 726. As part
of the upload function, the user has to generate, in a step 730
performed on the user's computer, the vendor files to be uploaded.
These files are preferably flat files (ASCII) in a format conducive
to importing into database tables, some of which are uploaded on a
regular basis (e.g., daily) and some of which are uploaded as
needed.
[0316] Examples of regularly uploaded files are files containing
tables for order status, order detail, quote status, quote detail,
requisition status and requisition detail. Other files regularly
uploaded are the inventory files discussed above with respect to
FIG. 12. The order status table generally includes the summary
information displayed in the steps 606 and 608 discussed above. The
order detail table generally contains the information displayed in
the step 612 above. The tables for quote status and quote detail
generally contain the information displayed in the steps 634 and
638, and the information displayed in the steps 642, 649 and 654,
respectively. Similarly, the tables for requisition status and
requisition detail generally contain the information displayed in
the step 684 and the information displayed in the steps 692 and
698, respectively.
[0317] Examples of irregularly uploaded files are files containing
the company table, the customer part table, the discount table, the
keyword table, the ship to table, and the status code table. The
company table contains the customer name, number, telephone number,
facsimile number, and address for each customer of the vendor. The
customer part table is a cross-reference table between customer
part number and manufacturer's part number for an item. The
discount table is a list of discount percentages cross-referenced
to customer number. The key word table is a cross-reference table
between keywords and the manufacturer's part number. The ship to
table contains alternate ship to addresses keyed to customer
numbers. The status code table is a list of status codes and the
associated definition used by the vendor.
[0318] Note that, in the preferred embodiment, there is a file
naming convention which the user is advised to follow, so that the
uploaded files can easily be tracked back to the user in case of
problems, and to facilitate file handling functions of the
information network.
[0319] The various files generated by the user are normally
combined together in a single archive file as a step 732.
Preferably, the archive file is a compressed file to speed
transmission to the information network when the user logs into the
information network.
[0320] Following selection of the upload function in the step 726,
the user will be presented with the Upload File page. In a step
736, the user can enter, in the field displayed on the Upload File
page, the file name and path of the archive file that is ready to
be uploaded. If the user does not know the file name and path, the
user clicks on the "Browse" button to browse the user's computer
for the location of the file as part of a step 738. A dialog box
will be presented. The user selects the drive from which the user
is uploading the file. The user identifies the type of file the
user is looking by highlighting "All files" or highlighting the
extension corresponding to the file extension of the archive file
that the user is uploading. Once the user has highlighted the
chosen file type, the user locates the subdirectory or folder in
which the archive file is located. The files corresponding to the
file type entered will be displayed. The user then selects the
displayed archive file for uploading as a step 740. In a final step
742 of the upload function, the user then clicks on the "Upload
File" button to upload the file selected in the steps 736 or 740 to
the information network.
[0321] It also noted that much of the Electronic Commerce function
discussed herein, like other functions of the information network
process 100, are described as batch functions, rather than real
time transactions. That is, as discussed above, a vendor will
periodically generate computer files, either on a regular or on an
irregular basis. The vendor will upload those files in a compressed
archive file to the information network, where the data is loaded
into a computer database. In this manner, the data is made
available to customers from whom the vendor has agreed to
electronically receive purchase orders and to whom the vendor has
agreed to electronically communicate order status.
[0322] However, it is specifically contemplated, and within the
scope of the invention, that such functions be replaced with a real
time connection to the inventory control system that resides at the
vendor's locality. For example, any queries generated by an end
user would be relayed over a direct connection from the web server
to the inventory control database residing at the vendor's
locality. That database would then generate responses to the
queries, which the web server would receive and display to the user
via the browser interface. Any purchase orders submitted by the end
user would then be relayed directly to the vendor's on-site
inventory control database, making the necessary changes to order
status and on hand inventory in real time. This real time
functionality would then replace any batch activities, such as
uploading files to and downloading orders from the information
network.
[0323] Another action the user may take when the vendor Electronic
Commerce page is displayed is to electronically pick up orders and
quotes. A list of vendors for which the user has "pick up" rights
is displayed assembled under the heading "Pick up Orders and
Quotes" The user clicks, in a step 746, on the name of the vendor
for which orders and quotes are to be picked up (i.e.,
downloaded).
[0324] A list of transactions waiting for the user is displayed in
a step 748. The information displayed is a list of new orders
placed by the user's customers, a list of previously viewed orders,
a list of new quotes placed by the user's customers, and a list of
previously viewed orders. For each of these types of transactions,
an order number, the user, customer number, the date of the
transaction, and an indication of the report format are also
displayed.
[0325] In a step 754, the user can click on the "View Text" control
to view the information contained in a selected transaction in a
sequential format. Preferably, file format displayed is similar to
that of the finished file format discussed above with respect to
the Order Entry function. The user may choose to print out the
viewed transaction information in the viewed format in a step
756.
[0326] The user can, in a step 758, click on the "View Form"
control to view the data contained in the transaction in a Packing
Slip format, including a section for purchasing information,
including Purchase Order number, release number and ship to number.
The form view also displays the shipping information, including the
company, an attention line (designating an individual at the
company), an address, and shipping instructions. The order
information included includes, for each line item, a line number, a
part number for the item, a description of the item, the quantity
required, the date required, a unit cost and the line item total
cost. A total cost for the order, excluding tax, shipping, and
handling is also displayed. The user can choose to print out the
file information in the viewed format in a step 760.
[0327] The user can delete an individual transaction in a step 762
by clicking on the delete transaction control for a selected
transaction. Typically, the user will be presented with a page
having only the summary of the transaction selected for deletion,
and be required to verify that the user is deleting the correct
transaction by activating a second delete transaction control.
[0328] Preferably, the user can also choose to delete all viewed
transactions as a set in a step 764 by actuating the appropriate
control.
[0329] In a step 766, the user can select to download all new order
files at once. As part of this step, the user indicates the target
download location on the user's computer. When this feature is
selected, in a step 767 the information network downloads all the
new order files in a single archive file to the user's business
system computer. The archive file is preferably compressed to speed
transmission of the file. The user would then access the downloaded
file on the user's business system computer to generate new orders
for processing in a step 769. In an alternate embodiment of the
invention, the user can select to download all new transaction
files (orders and quotes) in a single file for processing on the
user's business system.
[0330] In a step 770, the user selects one or more of the
transaction displayed in the step 748 to download. As part of this
step, the user indicates the target download location on the user's
computer. Once the user is completed selecting the files, the
information network displays a list of files selected for
downloading in a step 772. If the list is incorrect, the user can
make changes. Once the user is satisfied with the list of files to
be downloaded, the user clicks on the "Download" button to cause
the information network to download the selected files to the
selected location in a step 774. The user would then access the
downloaded file on the user's business system computer to generate
new orders and quotes for processing in a step 777.
[0331] Consolidator
[0332] Referring again to FIG. 8, the information network
consolidator function that is initiated in the step 160 is a
variation of the Electronic Commerce system. It combines all the
Electronic Commerce tools with unique enhancements to facilitate
the purchasing consolidation need of many large end users.
[0333] The following are brief descriptions of terms associated
with the Consolidator function. A "consolidator" is an independent
distribution entity that supplies MRO items to a customer. The
consolidator may not have a relationship with a manufacturer of
items needed by the customer. The consolidator establishes
relationships with vendors necessary to meet the needs of the
customer for an item. The consolidator takes on the acquisition
role as well as the payment relationship. In many cases he issues a
single invoice for all items shipped to the customer, receives
payment, and then disburses the funds to the appropriate vendor or
vendors. The consolidator is usually compensated a percentage of
the transaction cost or a flat per line fee for fulfilling these
roles. The process can be paper and labor intensive. The
information network Consolidator function alleviates some of the
cost associated with this processing overhead.
[0334] A "tier one partner" supplies a sufficient quantity of an
item or items to economically justify maintaining a unique presence
on the information network system.
[0335] A "tier two partner" does not supply a sufficiently large
quantity of any item to warrant a unique presence on the
information network system. Their information files can be handled
in two ways. They can be folded into a consolidator's business
system (e.g., computer) or merged with the batch file transmissions
that information network receives.
[0336] A problem overcome in implementing the Consolidator function
was to identify the logic required to track the relationships
between a consolidator, the consolidator's customers, their user
IDs, and the consolidator's tier one partners. An individual user
may be a customer of vendors that are not consolidation partners.
The information network also has to manage the duplicate order
function to insure that each consolidator received their own unique
set of orders placed with all tier one partners supplying items to
a customer of the consolidator. The consolidator has to have the
opportunity to control their own flow of information.
[0337] In operation, a customer is identified as one that has a
Consolidator relationship. The identity files are set up so that
all user IDs and customer numbers associated with that account are
keyed toward the associated consolidator.
[0338] As an example, suppose the customer initiates an information
network session. The customer decides to purchase an item from a
tier one partner and navigates to the customer's Electronic
Commerce function. The customer has all the normal layers of
authentication associated with logging onto the information
network. Once the tier one partner has been accessed in the
Electronic Commerce function, the customer places an order that is
left for the vendor in the normal fashion. The vendor knows that
this is a consolidated account and processes it accordingly. For
example, the vendor may have special shipping, packing, etc., to be
used with each consolidated account. The vendor will supply the
item and eventually invoice the consolidator. In addition to the
normal process, a duplicate of the order is left in the
consolidator's pick-up area. It details the transaction as well as
the customer ID and the supplying vendor. The consolidator can
view, print, or download these order copies in whatever fashion
they choose. The consolidator has complete control over these
duplicate orders.
[0339] The consolidator will then use these duplicate orders to
populate their business system with direct shipment orders. This
will allow them to handle the invoicing that comes from the tier
one partner for item supplied against the original order.
[0340] The consolidator can view the duplicate orders in two ways.
The first method sorts the orders by the supplying vendor. For
example, if Company A is a consolidator for an item supplied by
Company B to Customer C, Company A can view all orders left with
Company B by anyone with a user ID assigned to Customer C.
[0341] The second method by which the consolidator can view the
duplicate orders is to allow the consolidator to view orders placed
by any user having a user ID associated with any vendors the
consolidator has partnered with. In this method, the ID is the
unique item with a many relationship to the vendor partners.
[0342] If the customer wishes to order an item from a tier two
partner, the customer navigates to the Electronic Commerce port
maintained for the consolidator. In this scenario, the consolidator
is the order entry point. The order entry function occurs against
tables built with the tier two partner resident information. The
consolidator then uses their internal business system to break
apart the order and transmit the requirement via the agreed upon
mechanism. The information network's role in this is to facilitate
the order entry process with the Electronic Commerce function. The
tier two partner has a minimal presence on the information network
but is preferably allowed to have a Mall page to identify items and
services provided by the tier two partner.
[0343] Network Maintenance
[0344] FIGS. 4 and 5 show two processes which are related to the
maintenance and smooth running of the information network.
[0345] FIG. 4 illustrates generally at 874 a process for "data
scrubbing" files uploaded by vendors to update information on the
information network. In a first step 876, the operator of the
information network locates the files uploaded by the vendor in the
appropriate subdirectory of the information network computers.
[0346] The data files located in the step 876 may not be in the
format used in the information network database, since the vendor
who uploaded the files may be using a different database program
than the information network. Therefore, in a step 878, the
operator uses a suitable file format conversion program to convert
the data in the data files into the proper format for the database
of the information network, if required.
[0347] Once the data in the data files has been formatted, the data
files are merged with similar files from other vendors in a first
part of a step 880. Once the files are merged into a single data
set file, preferably the data is checked to ensure the data entered
is standardized in the way that the data is entered. For example,
if the part number of an item is 436, and a five digit field is
provided for entering the data, some vendors may enter the number
as 00436, and others would omit the leading zeros, leaving the
unused field spaces blank. When searching and sorting data,
non-standard data entry can produce spurious results. Therefore,
the step 880 preferably includes a review of the data contained in
the combined data file to standardize the data. After the data set
file has been "data scrubbed", the data set file is ready to be
placed into the database of the information network. Preferably,
the data set file is not appended to the records of the information
network, but rather replaces an entire record. The records to be
replaced are deleted from the database of the information network
in a step 882. In a final step 884, the data set file is loaded
into the database to populate the database tables of the
information network.
[0348] FIG. 5 illustrates generally at 886 a process for
maintenance of the various access functions of the information
network.
[0349] As a first step 888 in the process, the operator loads a
Depot table which includes a user ID for each member of the
information network, an associated company name, and an indication
of the access the member has to the Inventory Network function, to
the Parts Trader function, to the Electronic Commerce function, and
to the Consolidator function. After an initial load of the Depot
table, thereafter preferably the information network provides a
feature allowing the operator to change the information in the
Depot table without having to completely replace the data
table.
[0350] In a step 889, the operator loads or revises the access
table, which informs the information network of the inventory
networks that may be accessed by each user ID.
[0351] In a step 890, the operator loads or revises the authority
table, which informs the information network of the inventory
networks of several specific items as illustrated by the steps 891
through 896 discussed below. Any of the items discussed in the
steps 891 through 896 may be revised as part of the maintenance
function, step 890. For each record, which occupies a single line
in the Authority table, there are four fields, which include a user
ID field identifying what user the record applies to, a code field
defining the company with which the customer has a buying/selling
relationship, a criteria field which defines the type of
information contained on the line of the Authority table, and a
data field.
[0352] In a step 891, the operator may modify the authority table
to change a correlation between the user ID and the associated
company name. In this case, the record in the authority table
includes the user ID in the ID field, the code field is blank, the
Criteria is "Name", and the data field includes a full company
name, thereby associating the company name and the user ID. Several
user IDs may be associated with each company.
[0353] In a step 892, for each user of the information network who
makes purchases from a vendor (e.g., end user), the operator may
modify a record which includes a user ID in the user ID field, the
code of a vendor of whom the user is a customer in the code field,
the code CN (for customer number) in the Criteria field, and the
customer number assigned to the user by the vendor.
[0354] In a step 893, for each user of the information network who
may send an order or quote to a vendor, the operator may modify a
record which includes a user ID in the user ID field, the name of a
vendor with whom the user has order & quote privileges in the
code field, the word "order" in the criteria field it identify the
record as granting order and quote privilege, and a blank in the
data field. Note that a user may have several line in the authority
table with the order criteria, if the user is the customer of
several vendors.
[0355] In a step 894, the operator sets the approval authority of
the user with respect to requisitions submitted by other users. The
ID of the user is listed in the user ID field, the user ID of
another member for whom the user has requisition approval
authority, the criteria field has the word "Approve" in it, and the
data field is blank.
[0356] In a step 895, the operator sets the authority for the user
to submit requisitions (but not orders or quotes) on a vendor
stock. The ID of the user is listed in the User ID field, the code
of a vendor on whose stock the user can make a requisition is
listed in the code field, the criteria field has the word "Request"
in it, and the data field is blank.
[0357] In a step 896, the operator sets the authority for the a
user to pick up files containing quotes and orders, etc. from the
information network. The ID of the member being granted pickup
authority is listed in the User ID field, the ID of a vendor giving
the authority is listed in the code field, and the criteria is
"pickup". The data field is blank.
[0358] In a final maintenance function unrelated to the Authority
Table, the operator can set the passwords for users. The passwords
are keyed to the user ID. The passwords would include either a
password for access to the information network via dial-up service,
or a password for accessing the site via a firewall setup at the
Internet connection. A second password can be stored which
regulates access to the information network database.
[0359] The principle and mode of operation of this invention have
been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment.
However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced
otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without
departing from its spirit or scope.
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