U.S. patent application number 14/635666 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-18 for multiple criteria buying and selling model.
The applicant listed for this patent is eWinWin, Inc.. Invention is credited to Gregory J. Mesaros.
Application Number | 20150170235 14/635666 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49158551 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150170235 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mesaros; Gregory J. |
June 18, 2015 |
MULTIPLE CRITERIA BUYING AND SELLING MODEL
Abstract
A system and method for aggregating demand is provided. At least
one seller may sponsor a deal room to aggregate selling
goods/services from a plurality of buyers. The demand aggregation
system can include a dashboard for allowing the at least one seller
to set up DealRooms, price curves, offers, products, customers,
and/or customer groups, for example. The dashboard can include a
plurality of wizards for configuring such information. The demand
aggregation system can also include seller displays for notifying
buyers of changes in prices relative to ship dates and times of
order. The demand aggregation system can also include a predictive
modeling and reporting function. An algorithm is employed to
utilize product information to post a probability chart on a
product price point.
Inventors: |
Mesaros; Gregory J.; (Tampa,
FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
eWinWin, Inc. |
Tampa |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49158551 |
Appl. No.: |
14/635666 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13893204 |
May 13, 2013 |
8626605 |
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14635666 |
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12710095 |
Feb 22, 2010 |
8972287 |
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13893204 |
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10351069 |
Jan 24, 2003 |
7693748 |
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12710095 |
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09324391 |
Jun 3, 1999 |
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10351069 |
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09426063 |
Oct 22, 1999 |
7818212 |
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12710095 |
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PCT/US00/11989 |
May 3, 2000 |
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09426063 |
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60351770 |
Jan 25, 2002 |
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60375628 |
Apr 26, 2002 |
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60133769 |
May 12, 1999 |
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60137583 |
Jun 4, 1999 |
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60138209 |
Jun 9, 1999 |
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60139338 |
Jun 16, 1999 |
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60139518 |
Jun 16, 1999 |
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60139519 |
Jun 16, 1999 |
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60142371 |
Jul 6, 1999 |
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60160510 |
Oct 20, 1999 |
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60162182 |
Oct 28, 1999 |
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60173409 |
Dec 28, 1999 |
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60133769 |
May 12, 1999 |
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60135972 |
May 26, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0605 20130101;
G06Q 30/0623 20130101; G06Q 30/0611 20130101; G06Q 30/0627
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/06 20060101
G06Q030/06 |
Claims
1. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having
embodied thereon instructions executable by a processor to: receive
product registration data from a merchant associated with selling a
good or service, the product registration data including: non-price
criterions that define characteristics of the good or service, the
non-price criterions including information related to the delivery
of the good or service, and at least one offer criterion that
establishes a value of the good or service; construct an index of
offers according to a category of the good or service associated
with the product registration data, wherein the index is searchable
according to the category or the product registration data; and
receive a search query including: at least one of the non-price
criterions, a buyer-generated criterion related to a desired good
or service, the buyer-generated criterion not provided as a part of
the product registration data, and a quality value associated with
the merchant, wherein at least one of the non-price criterions,
buyer-generated criterion, or quality value received as part of the
search query constitute a range; and output search results
responsive to the search query.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation and claims the
priority benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/893,204
filed May 13, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,626,605 which:
[0002] (1) is a continuation and claims the priority benefit of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/710,095 filed Feb. 22, 2010,
which is a continuation and claims the priority benefit of Ser. No.
10/351,069 filed on Jan. 24, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,693,748,
which claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional application
60/351,770, filed Jan. 25, 2002 and U.S. provisional application
60/375,628, filed Apr. 26, 2002, and which is a
continuation-in-part and claims the priority benefit of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/324,391, filed on Jun. 3, 1999, which
claims priority to U.S. provisional application 60/133,769, filed
May 12, 1999;
[0003] (2) is a continuation-in-part and claims the priority
benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/426,063 filed Oct.
22, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,818,212;
[0004] (3) is a continuation-in-part and claims the priority
benefit of PCT patent application PCT/US00/11989, filed May 3,
2000, which claims priority to: U.S. provisional application
60/137,583, filed Jun. 4, 1999; U.S. provisional application
60/138,209, filed Jun. 9, 1999; U.S. provisional application
60/139,338, filed Jun. 16, 1999; U.S. provisional application
60/139,518, filed Jun. 16, 1999; U.S. provisional application
60/139,519, filed Jun. 16, 1999; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/342,345, filed Jun. 29, 1999; U.S. provisional application
60/142,371, filed Jul. 6, 1999; U.S. provisional application
60/160,510, filed Oct. 20, 1999; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/426,063, filed Oct. 22, 1999; U.S. provisional application
60/162,182, filed Oct. 28, 1999; and U.S. provisional application
60/173,409, filed Dec. 28, 1999; U.S. provisional application
60/133,769 filed May 12, 1999; U.S. provisional application No.
60/135,972 filed May 6, 1999; and U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/324,391 filed Jun. 3, 1999, which claims the benefit of U.S.
provisional application 60/133,769 filed May 12, 1999.
[0005] The entireties of all prior-filed applications listed herein
are hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0006] The present invention relates to a demand aggregation system
and more particularly to a system and method of employing various
features within the demand aggregation system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The buying and selling of products and services has resulted
in a vast array of buying schemes which are used to vary the price
at which such products are sold. A common buying scheme, which
businesses encounter regularly, is known as volume buying.
According to this buying scheme, sellers set a fixed unit price for
their products based on the volume of units that a buyer is willing
to purchase. Buyers desiring to purchase products from the seller
are each required to pay the same fixed price depending on the
volume of units the buyer is purchasing. If a seller finds that the
demand for a given product is greater or less than expected, the
seller may later adjust the fixed price per unit of the product to
account for such findings. Although the fixed price per unit system
provides a simple way for a seller to conduct business with
multiple buyers, one drawback of this buying scheme is that it
fails to provide buyers with a choice between a variety of
different buying criteria that may be just as important as or more
important to the buyer than price.
[0008] For example, a buyer that is in need of goods, such as raw
materials to make products for an expedited order may be willing to
pay a higher price for a faster delivery time. Another buyer may be
concerned with the quality of the goods they are purchasing, such
that the buyer would pay a higher price for goods having a minimum
number of defects. Yet another buyer may be concerned with the
warranty time allotted for the goods they are purchasing, and may
want the warranty of the goods that they are purchasing to match or
exceed the warranty the buyers are offering their own
customers.
[0009] Yet another buying scheme which has been advanced in recent
years is buyer-driven bidding. According to this buying scheme, a
single buyer desiring to obtain a product communicates a price at
which the buyer is willing to purchase the product to multiple
sellers. Each of the sellers is provided an opportunity to review
the buyer's price. A sale is complete when one of the sellers
agrees to sell the product to the buyer at the price suggested by
the buyer. While the buyer-driven bidding scheme provides
advantages for certain types of transactions when, for example,
sellers may be willing to sell products at lower than normal
prices, the uncertainties involved with whether a buyer's offer
will be accepted is often problematic for high volume commercial
transactions in which the reliability that a transaction will be
complete is of paramount importance. Another problem with the
present buying schemes is that the buyers have no control in
determining the criteria of the product or services that they may
receive, while the seller has no control of the type of purchase
that the buyer's request.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENTLY CLAIMED INVENTION
[0010] A demand aggregation system is structured to provide
incentive for buyers to work together when purchasing products. By
working together, buyers are able to take advantage of lower
pricing due to quantity discounts. To facilitate buying and selling
products using the volume pricing methodology, an electronic forum
is provided whereby buyers and sellers are able to conveniently
exchange information and order products.
[0011] A system and method for aggregating demand is provided. At
least one seller may sponsor a deal room to aggregate selling
goods/services from a plurality of buyers. The demand aggregation
system can include a sales manager dashboard for allowing the at
least one seller to set up DealRooms, price curves, offers,
products, customers, and/or customer groups, for example. The sales
manager dashboard can include a plurality of wizards for
configuring such information.
[0012] The demand aggregation system can also include an action
manager dashboard for allowing access to a plurality of DealRooms
from a single display. The action manager dashboard can provide
access to part of or the entire operation of DealRooms from
multiple suppliers, multiple buyers, multiple price curves, etc.
New customers can be posted to DealRooms, access rights to
DealRooms can be changed, and customers can be deleted from
DealRooms by the action manager dashboard.
[0013] The demand aggregation system can also include seller
displays for notifying buyers of changes in prices relative to ship
dates and times of order. The displays can include: a calendar for
showing offers by day; a product calendar that coincides with the
product ship date; a listing posted in a DealRoom; prices and
quantities of available in-stock products; and a three-dimensional
chart which includes a month with relative price points and
quantities available, a price curve, and time remaining.
[0014] The demand aggregation system can also include a predictive
modeling and reporting function. An algorithm is employed to
utilize the product information to post a probability chart on a
product price point.
[0015] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the
invention then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described
and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following
description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain
illustrative aspects of the invention. These aspects are
indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the
principles of the invention may be employed and the present
invention is intended to include all such aspects and their
equivalents. Other objects, advantages and novel features of the
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of the invention when considered in conjunction with
the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagrammatic view of a system for
electronically conducting business in accordance with an aspect of
the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2a illustrates a block diagram of a central server in
accordance with an aspect of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2b is a schematic illustration of a client computer
operatively coupled to a server computer system in accordance with
an aspect of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a web page providing options to buyers
and sellers desiring to conduct business electronically in
accordance with an aspect of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 4a illustrates a buyer's buying criteria input screen
in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 4b illustrates a buyer's product ordering criteria
input screen in accordance with an aspect of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 4c illustrates a list of seller's deals matching the
buyer's product ordering criteria in accordance with an aspect of
the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart for a buyer desiring to
conduct business electronically in accordance with an aspect of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates an on-line registration form for a buyer
in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates a buyer database stored in a central
server in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 8a illustrates a web page for a buyer to create or
modify a deal in accordance with an aspect of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 8b illustrates a seller's buying and selling criteria
input screen in accordance with an aspect of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 8c illustrates a seller's product ordering criteria
input screen in accordance with an aspect of the present
invention;
[0029] FIG. 8d illustrates an input screen for adding buying and
selling criteria to the deal in accordance with an aspect of the
present invention;
[0030] FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart for a seller desiring to
conduct business electronically in accordance with an aspect of the
present invention;
[0031] FIG. 10 illustrates an on-line registration form for a
seller in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 11 illustrates a seller database stored in the central
server in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of an ordering process
in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of an electronic forum
for conducting a seller sponsored business transaction in
accordance with an aspect of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of an electronic forum
for conducting a buyer sponsored business transaction in accordance
with an aspect of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of an electronic forum
for conducting a buyer and seller co-sponsored business transaction
in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 16 is an example of a price curve in accordance with an
aspect of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 17 is an example of another price curve in accordance
with an aspect of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 18 is an example of a spot curve in accordance with an
aspect of the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 19 is an example of a demand aggregation system in
accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 20 is an example of a multidimensional price curve in
accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 21 is an example of a seasonal price curve in
accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 22 is an example of another price curve in accordance
with an aspect of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0044] The following presents a simplified summary of the invention
in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the
invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the
invention. It is intended to neither identify key or critical
elements of the invention nor delineate the scope of the invention.
Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a
simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that
is presented later.
[0045] As used in this application, the term "component" is
intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, a
combination of hardware and software, software, or software in
execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to,
a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an
executable, a thread of execution, a program, and a computer. By
way of illustration, both an application running on a server and
the server can be a component.
[0046] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a demand aggregation system
10 is shown in which multiple buyers 15 and sellers 20 are
electronically linked via a central server 25. As discussed in more
detail below, the central server 25 is configured to provide the
buyers 15 and sellers 20 with a convenient forum in which to buy
and sell goods in accordance with an aspect of the present
invention. The forum may, for example, be a pre-established
Internet web page where sellers 20 can post product information and
the buyers 15 can order products. The multiple criteria buying
scheme calls for a seller 20 to post a number of deals for a given
product, which vary according to different offering criteria
defining the limits of a number of selling criteria, such as, for
example, price, volume, quality and delivery time. The buyers 15
can enter a range of criteria that the buyer would require for a
deal to be made. A list of sellers and prospective deals offered by
sellers 20 is generated for the buyers 15 to review. The buyers 15
can then review the list of deals and choose a deal based on the
buyers' 15 particular needs. In this manner, the buyers 15 can be
certain that particular thresholds have been met.
[0047] It is to be appreciated that the present invention has wide
applicability to the purchasing and/or selling of a variety of
different products and/or services. For example, the present
invention may be applied within the context of purchasing and/or
selling airline tickets wherein buyers' criteria may include, for
example: (1) reputation of airline; (2) reliability; (3)
timeliness; (4) price; (5) number of alternative flights; (6)
comfort; (7) quality of service; and (8) quality of foods. The
sellers' criteria may include, for example: (1) volume of tickets;
(2) buyer's versatility in time schedule; (3) buyer's method of
payment, etc.
[0048] The present invention may also be applied in the context of
purchasing and/or selling an automobile wherein buyer's criteria
may include, for example: (1) reputation of automobile
manufacturer; (2) reputation of dealer; (3) price of automobile;
(4) delivery options; (5) automobile availability; (6) safety; and
(7) financing terms; etc. While, the seller's criteria may include,
for example: (1) buyer's creditworthiness; (2) desired finance
terms; (3) delivery requests of buyer; (4) delivery dates; etc.
[0049] Thus, the present invention allows buyers and/or sellers of
products and/or services to pre-select a plurality of criteria
prior to negotiating a deal for the product and/or service. Of
course the preselected criteria will vary depending on the
particular product and/or service. The scope of the present
invention as defined in the hereto appended claims intends to
include any product and/or service (and plurality of preselected
criteria associated therewith) suitable for deal-making in
accordance with the present invention.
[0050] Each of the buyers 15 and sellers 20 may access the central
server 25 in any of a variety of ways. For example, in the present
aspect, each buyer 15 and seller 20 is shown to be part of separate
establishments 30 which include one or more respective computer
systems 35 and local servers 40. The computer systems 35 may, for
example, be a desktop or laptop computer with a local area network
(LAN) interface for communicating over a network backbone 45 to the
local server 40. The local servers 40, in turn, interface with the
central server 25 via a network cable 50 or the like. It will be
appreciated that while the present aspect depicts the computer
system 35 communicating with the central server 25 via hardwired
network connections, in an alternative aspect the computer system
35 may interface with the central server 25 using a modem, wireless
local area and/or wide area networks, etc. Further, it will be
appreciated, that while the buyers 15 and sellers 20 are shown to
communicate with the central server 25 via different computer
systems 35, it will be appreciated that the buyers 15 and/or
sellers 20 may access the central server 25 from the same computer
system 25.
[0051] Turning now to FIG. 2a, a block diagram of hardware
components of the central server 25 is shown. In particular, the
central server 25 includes a central processor 100 for performing
the various functions described herein. A memory 105 is coupled to
the processor 100 and stores operating code and other data
associated with the operations of the central server 25. A user
interface 110 is also coupled to the processor 100 and provides an
interface through which the central server 25 may be directly
programmed or accessed. The user interface 110 may, for example, be
an alphanumeric keyboard and mouse. A network interface 115 coupled
to the processor 100 provides multiple connections for transceiving
information with buyers 15 and sellers 20 over the network cables
50.
[0052] As previously stated, the present invention could take
advantage of the wide availability and versatility of the Internet.
Referring to FIG. 2b, a schematic block diagram is illustrated
which depicts an environment of interest in accordance with an
aspect of the present invention. The client computer system 35 is
shown connected to the central server computer system 25 that is
part of the Internet 60. The client computer system 35 and server
25 are connected via an Internet connection 55 using a public
switched phone network, for example, such as those provided by a
local or regional telephone operating company. The Internet
connection 55 may also be provided by dedicated data lines,
Personal Communication Systems (PCS), microwave, or satellite
networks, for example, or any suitable means. It is to be
understood that the terms client and server are to be construed in
the broadest sense, and that all such constructions of the terms
are intended to fall within the scope of the hereto appended
claims.
[0053] Turning now to FIG. 3, an exemplary Internet web page 120
which provides buyers 15 and sellers 20 with access to a forum for
conducting business using the multiple criteria buying methodology
described in detail below is shown. The web page 120 is shown to
include hyperlinks for handling both registered and un-registered
buyers and sellers of products. For example, as shown in FIG. 3,
registered buyers may select a hyperlink to a registered buyer
login screen via hyperlink 125 while non-registered buyers may
select a hyperlink to a non-registered buyer registration screen
via hyperlink 135. Similarly, registered sellers may select a
hyperlink to a registered seller login screen via hyperlink 130,
while non-registered sellers may select a hyperlink to a
non-registered seller registration screen via hyperlink 140. While
the present aspect illustrates separate hyperlinks for buyers and
sellers, it will be appreciated that such hyperlinks could
alternatively be combined and the status of buyer or seller could
be determined during a later stage in the login procedure.
[0054] Turning now to FIG. 4a, in accordance with an aspect of the
present invention, registered buyers 15 enter several product
buying criteria into a "Buyer's Buying Criteria" input page 150.
The buyer 15 selects a product or service from a list in a scroll
down menu 152. It should be appreciated that the list on the scroll
down menu 152 could include any number of related or non-related
goods and services only limited by the size of a database used in
accordance with the present invention. Upon selecting a product or
service (e.g., glass) from the scroll down menu 152, a list of
seller criteria automatically appears in a window 160. The list of
seller criteria appearing in the window 160 can include minimum
inputs to be provided by the buyer to obtain a deal listing. These
minimum inputs are decided by a class of sellers selling individual
product(s) or service(s) and/or decided by a system administrator
of the system. The buyer 15 can then begin adding buying criteria
by selecting criteria from a scroll down list 154, and clicking on
an "Add to List" button 156 with a computer mouse (not shown) or
via a touch screen, for example. If the buyer 15 desires to remove
a selected criterion, the buyer can highlight the criterion in the
window 160 and click on a "Remove from List" button 158. Once the
list is completed, the buyer 15 may add additional criteria not in
the selection of choices. The additional criteria may or may not be
utilized in this particular deal search; however, if it is not, it
will be provided to the sellers, such that they can be alerted of
these additional criteria important to the buyer. Accordingly,
sellers may opt to add the additional criteria to the selectable
choices at a later time. Once the complete custom buying criteria
list is completed, the buyer can click on a "Submit Criteria"
button 162 for submission of the buyer's buying criteria to build a
"Buyer's Product Ordering Criteria" input screen 165, as
illustrated in FIG. 4b.
[0055] Turning now to FIG. 4b, in accordance with an aspect of the
present invention, buyer 15 enter several product ordering criteria
that would be acceptable to the buyer 15 on a "Buyer's Product
Ordering Criteria" input screen 165. In this particular example,
the buyer 15 is looking to purchase raw glass by the pound,
however, many different types of products and services could be
purchased/sold using the present invention. The buyer's ordering
criteria of this example includes: price range 166 in dollars per
pound; volume range 168 in number of pounds; delivery range 170 in
days; the acceptable % of defects 172 in percent; and the minimum
required warranty 174 in months. The buyer 15 can then list the
names of the sellers 20 in the window 176 that the buyer 15 has
bought products from previously, so that the buyer 15 can be
entitled to any good customer or multi-purchase discounts offered
by the sellers 20. Once the buying ordering criteria are entered,
the buyer can search for deals by clicking on a "Search for Deal"
button 178 on a touch screen and/or via a mouse and/or via a touch
screen. A search engine can then be employed to search through a
database of deals offered by various sellers of the product, and
provide an output of deals to the buyer which matches the buyer's
ordering criteria. The output can be displayed on a "Deal Matching
Ordering Criteria" page 180, as shown in FIG. 4c.
[0056] In FIG. 4c, registered sellers 20 set up a variety of deals
182 by which buyers 15 are able to order products. As will be
discussed in more detail below, the variety of deals 182 are set up
to display the following information which is input from the seller
20 and/or calculated by the processor 100 of the central processor
25 according to the deal 182, which includes: a seller name 184; a
deal number 186; a volume ordering range required 188 to obtain a
current price/pound level 190; an expected delivery time 192; a
warranty period 196; and a percentage of defects 198 of the product
the buyer 15 can expect to receive in a given order. Based on such
information, buyers 15 can make an informed decision as to whether
they desire to order a particular deal based on the criteria that
is important to that particular buyer. If a buyer 15 desires to
place an order, the buyer 15 inputs a seller 183, a deal number 185
and a volume order 187. The buyer 15 then clicks on the "Submit
Deal" button 189 with a mouse pointer, for example, on the computer
display and the deal is finalized.
[0057] Turning now to FIG. 5, a methodology of entering web page
150 is illustrated. At 200, it is determined whether a buyer 15 is
registered or not. If the buyer 15 is not registered, the buyer 15
selects hyperlink 135 (FIG. 3) and proceeds to 205. At 205, the
processor 100 of the central server 25 requests that the buyer 15
fill out a registration form. For example, the buyer 15 is
requested to fill out a registration form 208 such as that shown in
FIG. 6. In the present example, the registration form 208 requests
that the buyer 15 enter information such as: buyer name; address;
primary contact person; phone; fax; e-mail; short description of
company; preferred login user name; and preferred password. With
respect to the user name and password, the processor 100 is
configured to determine whether the selected user name and password
combination are available and, if not, to prompt the buyer 15 to
enter a new user name and password until an available combination
is selected.
[0058] Turning back to FIG. 5, at 210, the buyer is requested to
fill out a credit card application so that purchases made on the
web site may be immediately approved. The credit card registration
and approval process may be accomplished via a hyperlink to one of
various electronic credit card approval agencies which check the
buyer's credit rating and set up a merchant account with a line of
credit. For example, an electronic credit card approval agency
which may be used in conjunction with the present invention can be
found on the Internet at interent-ecommerce.com. Next, at 215, the
processor 100 determines if the credit card application has been
approved by the electronic credit card approval agency. If the
credit card application has not been approved, the processor 100
proceeds to 220 where a message is sent back to the buyer 15
indicating regret that they have not been approved for a line of
credit and therefore have not successfully completed the
registration process. At 220, a customer service telephone number
can be provided to the buyer 15 in case the buyer has questions
and/or desires to pursue registration further.
[0059] If at 215, the processor 100 is informed that the buyer 15
has been provided a line of credit and a credit card number has
been issued, the processor 100 proceeds to 225. At 225, the buyer
information from the registration form 208 and the newly issued
credit card number are stored in a buyer database 270 (FIG. 7) in
the memory 105 of the processor 25 (FIG. 2a). Next, at 230, the
processor 100 is configured to provide the buyer 15 with the newly
issued credit card number so that the buyer 15 is able to purchase
products and/or services. Furthermore, the processor 100 is
configured to provide a report to the system administrator who then
mails a confirmation copy of the buyer's information stored in the
buyer's database to the buyer 15. This completes the buyer's
registration process.
[0060] Returning back to 200, if a buyer has already registered,
the buyer 15 may login as a registered user by selecting the
registered user hyperlink 125 (FIG. 3). Once selected, the
processor 100, at 240, prompts the buyer 15 to enter a user ID and
password. Upon entry of such information, the processor 100
verifies the user ID and password with those stored in the buyer
database 270 (FIG. 7). If the user ID and password entered by the
buyer 15 does not match any entry in the buyer database 270, the
processor 100 returns to 235 for re-entry of such information. If,
however, at 240, a valid user ID and password are entered, the
processor 100 proceeds to 245.
[0061] At 245, the processor 100 provides the buyer 15 with a
buyer's buying criteria input screen where the buyer 15 is able to
enter a variety of buying criteria that is important to that
particular buyer 15. The buyer 15 selects a plurality of buying
criteria and submits the criteria, so that the system can build an
input ordering criteria form. At 250, the buyer 15 enters a range
of ordering criteria that is acceptable to the buyer in the input
ordering criteria form, and then submits the criteria causing the
system search engine to match the ordering criteria with a list of
seller deals in a seller deal database. The search engine then
lists the seller deals matching the buyer's buying and ordering
criteria. As discussed above, the deals 182 provide the buyer 15
with information regarding the sale of a particular product such
as, for example, a volume range to get a particular price per
pound, delivery time, warranty period and a percentage of defects
in each order that a buyer can expect. In order to allow a buyer to
quickly find deals 182 of interest, the processor 100 provides the
buyer 15 with the input "Buyer's Buying Criteria" input screen 150,
so that active deals 182 of interest may be found.
[0062] Once a search is completed, the buyer 15, at 250, can select
a desired deal 182 from the results obtained. For example, the
buyer 15 may choose a desired deal because it has a faster delivery
time than the other deals. The buyer 15 may choose a deal because
it has a low percentage of defects in the goods, or has a longer
warranty than other goods. Regardless of the deal the buyer 15 may
choose, the buyer 15 can make an informed decision based on a
variety of buying criteria. If the buyer 15 is unsatisfied with the
search results or simply desires to re-perform the search, the
buyer 15 at any time is able to return back to a previous screen
selecting the "back" function available using an Internet browser
such as, for example, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape, etc.
Additionally, a hyperlink to various screens, such as the search
screen, preferably is provided on each web page.
[0063] Upon selecting a deal 182, the processor 100 in step 255
displays a page of standard terms and conditions which the buyer 15
must agree to prior to completing the deal. The terms and
conditions relate to the terms governing the sale of the product or
service according to which both the buyer and seller are willing to
conduct business. If the terms and conditions are not accepted, the
processor 100 returns the buyer 15 to step 245, so that another
deal 182 may be selected and/or another search may be performed.
If, however, in step 260 the terms and conditions are accepted, the
processor 100 proceeds to allow the buyer 15 to complete the deal
in step 265.
[0064] Turning now to FIG. 8a, in accordance with one aspect of the
present invention, registered sellers 20 enter into a "Create or
Modify Deal" screen 275. The seller 20 can choose a product or
service from the product/service scroll down menu 276 and choose to
either click on an "Open New Deal" button 278, a "Modify Existing
Deal" button 280 or a "Review Buyer Inputted Criteria" button 282.
If the buyer selects the "Review Buyer Inputted Criteria" button
282, the seller will be provided with a list of buyer buying
criteria that the buyers 15 manually inputted into the window 160
of FIG. 4a. This allows the sellers 20 to review criteria that are
important to their buyers, which the sellers were not aware. If a
seller 20 chooses to click on the "Open New Deal" button 278, the
seller 20 will enter into a "Seller's Product Selling Criteria"
input screen 300, as illustrated in FIG. 8b. If the seller 20
chooses to click on the "Modify Existing Deal" button 280, the
seller 20 will enter into a "Seller's Product Offering Criteria"
input screen 330, as illustrated in FIG. 8c with the seller being
prompted to enter a deal number, which causes the ordering criteria
of the chosen deal number to be editable in the input screen.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 8b illustrating the "Seller's Selling
Criteria" input screen 300, the seller 20 can begin building a new
deal by selecting a number of seller additional criteria, and
seller criteria from a list in a scroll down menu 302 and a list in
scroll down menu 306, respectively. The seller can click on the
"Add Seller Additional Criteria" button 304 for adding seller
additional criteria from the scroll down menu 302 into a window 310
containing a deal criteria list 303. The deal criteria list 303
includes a first portion listing the "Product Agreed upon Seller
Criteria" 305, decided by the group of sellers for a particular
product/service and/or the system administrator, a second portion
which is the seller criteria list 307 and a third portion which is
the seller additional criteria list 309. It should be noted that
the criteria in the seller additional criteria list is not a
mandatory criteria for the buyer when the buyer is inputting the
buyer's buying criteria at 245 of FIG. 5, but is listed in the
terms and conditions 265 after a deal is chosen by the buyer. The
seller can add seller criteria by selecting the criteria from the
scroll down bar 306 and clicking on the "Add Seller Criteria"
button 308. The seller can remove any of the criteria from the
overall criteria list, except for the "Product Agreed upon Seller
Criteria", by highlighting the selection with the computer mouse
and clicking on a "Remove from List" button 312. The seller 20 can
add new selling criteria by clicking on a hyperlink 316 labeled
"Add New Criteria" sending the seller 20 to an "Adding and
Modifying Deal Criteria" screen 360, illustrated in FIG. 8d. The
seller can modify current criteria by highlighting the criteria in
window 310 and clicking on a hyperlink 318 labeled "Modify Existing
Criteria" sending the seller to the "Adding and Modifying Deal
Criteria" screen 360 with the criteria information defaulting to
the highlighted criteria for modification therefrom.
[0066] Referring now to FIG. 8c, once the criteria are selected and
submitted, the system generates the "Seller's Product Offering
Criteria" input screen 330. A seller number 331, a product type 332
and a current deal number 333 are automatically generated and
displayed on input screen 330. The seller 20 can enter offering
limits relating to the selling criteria of the seller's product for
a particular deal. The seller's offering criteria of this example
includes: price 166 in dollars per pound; volume range 168 in the
number of pounds; delivery time 170 in days; the % of defects 172
in percent; and the warranty 174 in months. The seller 20 can also
list the names of the buyers 15 in a window 344 that the deal is
being offered or select and/or type in a term, such as "All" if the
offer is open to any buyer. Once the seller offering criteria is
entered, the seller 20 can submit the deal by clicking on a
"Submit/Modify Deal" button 350 on the computer screen by using the
computer's mouse. The present invention then creates a record of
the deal in a database of deals offered by various sellers 20 of
the product. Accordingly, deals in which a seller's offering
criteria match a buyer's ordering criteria can be output to the
buyer 15 in a list of deals on the "Deals Matching Ordering
Criteria" output page 180, as shown in FIG. 4c.
[0067] Referring now to FIG. 8d, an example of an "Adding Deal
Criteria" input screen 360 is depicted. The seller number 331, the
product type 332 and the current deal number 333 are automatically
generated and display on an input screen 360. The seller 20 can
enter a criteria name in the "Enter Criteria Name" box 362. The
seller can then choose whether the criteria are a seller type or a
seller additional criteria type from a first scroll down menu 364.
The seller 20 chooses a criteria type from a second scroll down
menu 366 and the criteria units in a third scroll down menu 368.
The seller can submit these new criteria for the current deal by
clicking on the "Submit New Criteria for Current Deal" button 370
or add the new criteria for the product deals by clicking on the
"Submit New Criteria for All Product Deals" button 372. The seller
20 may at any time review the buyer inputted criteria submitted by
the buyer 15 that is not in any of the seller's deals by clicking
on the "Review Buyer Inputted Criteria" button 376. The seller 20
can review this list to determine whether or not the seller 20
would like to add these criteria to the present deal or deals such
that they are in accord with buyer needs. The seller 20 may also
review the criteria that are offered by other sellers, but not the
current seller, by clicking on a "Review Other Seller Criteria"
button 378. This will help the seller keep current on what the
other seller's selling criteria are being utilized for matching to
the buyer's buying criteria to satisfy the current market
demands.
[0068] If the seller would like to return to the "Create or Modify
Deal" screen 275 the seller 20 can click on the "Cancel" button at
any time. Furthermore, if the seller 20 simply desires to
re-perform the search, the seller 20 at any time is able to return
back to a previous screen selecting the "back" function available
using an Internet browser such as, for example, Microsoft Internet
Explorer, Netscape, etc. Additionally, a hyperlink to various
screens, such as the search screen, preferably is provided on each
web page.
[0069] Proceeding now to FIG. 9, the operations of the processor
100 of the central server 25 in handling sellers 20 is depicted. In
particular, the processor 100 at 400 determines whether a seller 20
is registered or not based on which hyperlink 130, 140 (FIG. 3) the
seller 20 selects. If the seller 20 selects hyperlink 140
indicating that the seller is not registered, the processor 100
proceeds to 405. At 405, the processor 100 provides the seller 20
with a seller's registration form 408 (FIG. 10) to fill out. The
registration form 408 is similar to registration form 208 for the
buyer 20 and allows the seller 20 to select a preferred user ID and
password. Once completed, the processor 100 proceeds to 410 where
the seller 20 is requested to submit a credit card application so
that costs and fees associated with conducting business may be
directly billed to the seller's credit card. As discussed above,
the credit card approval process can be performed by a third party
vendor accessible via a hyperlink.
[0070] Once the credit card application is submitted by the seller
20, the processor 100 proceeds to 415 where the processor 100
determines if the credit card application has been approved. If the
credit card application has not been approved, the processor 100
proceeds to 420 where the seller 20 is informed that the credit
card application has not been approved. The seller 20 can be
provided with a customer service telephone number so that the
seller 20 may optionally set up the account in a different fashion.
If, however, at 415 the credit card application is accepted, the
processor 100 proceeds to 425 where seller information is stored in
a seller database 427 (FIG. 11). Then, at 430, the processor 100 is
configured to provide the seller 20 with the newly issued credit
card number so that the seller 20 is able to open deals. Further,
the processor 100 is configured to provide a report to a system
administrator, who can send a confirmation copy of the seller's
information stored in the seller's database to the seller 20. This
completes the seller's registration process.
[0071] However, if at 400 a seller has already registered, the
seller 20 may login as a registered user by selecting the
registered user hyperlink 130 (FIG. 3). Once selected, the
processor 100, at 435 prompts the seller 20 to enter their user ID
and password. Upon input of the user ID and password, the processor
100 proceeds to 440 where the processor 100 verifies a valid user
ID and password have been entered by comparison with the
information stored in the seller database 427 (FIG. 11). If the
user ID and password entered by the seller 20 does not match any
entry in the seller database 427, the processor 100 returns to 435
for re-entry of such information. If, however, at 440, a valid user
ID and password are entered, the processor 100 proceeds to 445.
[0072] Upon successful entry of a user ID and password, the seller
20 is provided with a seller option screen 275 as shown in FIG. 8a.
For example, the seller 20 may decide to open a new deal 182 or the
seller 20 may decide to view a current deal 182 for one of a number
of goods or services offered by the seller 20 or review a list of
buyer inputted criteria. Accordingly, if at 445, the processor 100
determines that the seller 20 desires to open new deal 182 for a
selected product, the processor 100 proceeds to 460.
[0073] At 460, the processor 100 requests that the seller 20 enter
the seller's selling criteria, so that the system can build a
seller's product offering criteria input screen, at 465. For
example, in the present aspect the product agreed upon seller
criteria is the volume range of the order and the price per pound
of the order, the seller's selling criteria includes the delivery
time and warranty with quality to be added next, and the seller
additional criteria is that the buyer pay the cost of shipping the
goods. As discussed above, the processor 100 utilizes the
information input from the seller 20 to display a seller's product
ordering input form 330.
[0074] At 465, the processor 100 request that the seller enter the
limits associated with the seller's selling criteria chosen at 460,
and the list of buyer's entitled to be offered the present deal.
The information is entered and submitted to form a deal. The
processor 100 uses this information to match buying and ordering
criteria of the buyer with selling and offering criteria of the
seller, so that deals can be completed in an expedited manner.
[0075] Continuing to refer to FIG. 9, if the seller 20 has not
selected to open a new deal, the processor 100 determines, at 450,
whether the seller 20 has decided to modify an existing deal 182.
In the present aspect of the invention, the seller 20 is limited to
modify those deals which they have opened. Accordingly, if the
processor 100 determines that the seller does desire to modify a
deal 182, the processor 100 provides the seller 20 with a list of
deals 180 which the seller has opened. Upon selection of one of the
deals 182, the processor 100 proceeds to 455 where the deal 182 is
displayed to the seller 20. If a deal 182 is not entered at 450, or
at 455 and/or 460, the processor 100 returns to 445.
Buyer Sponsored DealRoom
[0076] Regarding FIG. 14, although the present invention has been
largely described within the context of a seller sponsored DealRoom
(FIG. 13), it is to be appreciated that a buyer or buyers may
sponsor a DealRoom to aggregate purchasing goods/services from a
plurality of sellers. For example, a large corporate buyer may
employ the present invention to create a DealRoom where a plurality
of sellers may assemble to aggregate selling of specific goods
and/or services that the buyer desires. Such a transaction
facilitates the buyer satisfying purchase requirements in one forum
and to coordinate deliver of goods/services. Furthermore, such a
system facilitates sellers making sales to the buyer, which but for
the sellers being able to aggregate the buyer may not have dealt
with the individual seller because of insufficient capacity to meet
the buyers' needs. The subject specification describes exemplary
systems and interfaces for implementing the subject invention, and
therefore further discussion thereto is omitted for sake of
brevity. However, it is to be appreciated that one skilled in the
art based on the above discussion regarding seller sponsored
DealRooms/transactions could apply such teachings to implement the
aforementioned buyer sponsored DealRoom/transaction.
Multiple Buyer and Multiple Seller Sponsored
DealRoom/Transaction
[0077] Regarding FIG. 15, although the present invention has been
largely described within the context of a seller sponsored
DealRoom/transaction, it is to be appreciated that buyers and
sellers may concurrently sponsor a deal room/transaction to
aggregate selling of and purchasing of goods/services by a
plurality of sellers and buyers respectively. For example, a
multiple sellers and buyers may employ the present invention to
create a DealRoom/transaction forum where a plurality of sellers
and buyers may assemble to aggregate selling and buying of specific
goods and/or services that the sellers which to sell and the buyers
desire to purchase. Such a transaction forum creates great
efficiencies with respect to purchase price and/or selling quantity
of particular goods/services. For example, in such a forum
dedicated to the selling and purchasing of a specific
product/service, sellers can assemble to compete for the sale of
their respective product/service, which leads to pricing
efficiencies. Buyers can assemble in such a forum to aggregate
buying power in order to negotiate good prices and close deals.
Sellers on the other hand may also aggregate to meet the needs of a
large buying block. The subject specification describes exemplary
systems and interfaces for implementing the subject invention, and
therefore further discussion thereto is omitted for sake of
brevity. However, it is to be appreciated that one skilled in the
art based on the above discussion regarding seller sponsored
DealRooms/transactions could apply such teachings to implement the
aforementioned buyer sponsored DealRoom/transaction.
OpenOffer Management System
[0078] One alternative aspect of the present invention affords for
creating, altering and/or managing OpenOffer sheets on more than
one Private DealRoom at the same time.
[0079] This aspect of the invention (preferably implemented via
software) allows the company completing an OpenOffer Sheet to
select those private DealRooms it wishes to submit the OpenOffer
sheet. For example, a first OpenOffer sheet with one price and
volume schedule may be automatically submitted to DealRoom #1 and
#2. A second OpenOffer sheet can be submitted for the same product
with different price points and volume schedules to DealRoom #3.
The system allows a supplier to track any number of DealRooms and
label a customer accordingly. The supplier may create subsets of
private DealRooms at any time through grouping the DealRooms and
saving them with a different name (e.g., mid-size companies, tier
one, large company). This allows the supplier the real-time ability
to segment all or some customers according to any number of
criteria and present current pricing and capacity information.
Therefore, the system is a tool for creating any number of pricing
configurations among different products and updating those prices
and volumes in a moment's notice among the selected DealRooms.
[0080] A company is able to see a pricing summary by product type
across DealRooms. For example, the ability to select a product
category and have the system return a list of the prices submitted
for each along with the current price and the lowest price to be
achieved. This allows for the company to track pricing strategy
across DealRooms. The information can be reviewed in any number of
configurations: pie charts, bar charts, scatter charts, etc. and
any subsets of DealRooms. Statistical numbers are also available
including totals, averages, etc.
[0081] The system also provides a running list of buyers that have
access to DealRooms supported by the company. This is done through
a search file in that private DealRoom and saved to the master
management system. Every DealRoom has a different URL such as
WCeWinWin.com or ADeWinWin.com with the requisite security. The
system is also capable of performing a search by entering the
customer name which then provides the proper DealRoom and password.
Changes can be made by the supplier.
[0082] An OpenOffer Sheet can be posted on a regular interval
and/or programmed to reset the offer with a rolling date (e.g.,
daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) on master and individual sites.
In addition, a component(s) of the OpenOffer Sheet can be altered
and saved under a different name. For example, if a product price
is selected to stay constant while the ship date changes to the
next business day on a regular interval, that OpenOffer sheet can
be saved and posted. The iteration will change with the passing of
time. Likewise, OpenOffer sheets can be frozen with or without
intervals with a freeze command.
[0083] OpenOffer sheets can also be retracted. This feature will
pull offers from all DealRooms or any combination of DealRooms
selected by the supplier. A product name and identification number
can be accessed; and a retract or recall feature can be engaged. In
the event that orders have been placed within the OpenOffer sheets,
the supplier can fulfill the order as scheduled and/or notify the
buyer(s) that the order has been cancelled.
[0084] The supplier can also list and search OpenOffer's that have
no orders. This is done with a quick search that will pull up the
OpenOffer's, DealRoom URL, projected ship date, etc. The master
list can be perused and when highlighted, the supplier has the
option of modifying the information accordingly and then post again
within the specified DealRooms. Such changes as price, volumes,
ship dates, close dates, etc. can be made and the new DealRooms
submitted.
[0085] An online DealRoom can be created by a supplier instantly,
if desired. The supplier can highlight a "Create New DealRoom"
option and a room identification number and base URL for the new
DealRoom is created. The supplier can then be asked to name the URL
with up to a certain number of digits. Once the name and an
administrator's password is selected, the new DealRoom is
available. Additional information including contact name, email
address of contact, etc. can be automatically recognized based on a
supplier user name, or the supplier may be asked to provide such
information.
[0086] A private online DealRoom can be created for invited buyers.
The invited buyers are notified of the opening of the DealRoom and
given a username and password to remain anonymous. Preferred
customers can also be given special pseudonyms, so that they can
travel from DealRoom to DealRoom, while maintaining anonymity from
reports generated by other suppliers and buyers utilizing the
OpenOffer Management system. The private DealRooms invitations can
be sent automatically via e-mail, instant message, etc.
[0087] A company can create a private DealRoom online, without
revealing their identity. The supplier can enter a pseudonym and
basic company criteria, such as the type of company (e.g. fortune
500, midsize, small), quality ranking, type of business (e.g.,
specialized, conglomerate), etc. The company can then track
purchases and demand utilizing the pseudonym. The DealRoom can be
configured to be offered to a specified group, such as distributors
or preferred customers, or the general public as a blind offer. The
deal room can be configured as a single order deal or as a time
specified deal that allows buyers to aggregate in and reduce the
price.
[0088] Transaction fees can be requested in real-time across one or
more DealRooms. A fee structure is applied for customers based on
the number of single transactions (e.g., completion of OpenOffer
sheet by customer). Accordingly, a transactional figure is
calculated for determining an online transactional fee.
Demand Aggregator System
[0089] The demand aggregator can capture and/or collate current
and/or historical orders from OpenOffer sheets.
[0090] An OpenOffer Request Form allows a buyer on the system to
alert suppliers of the product needed, category, quantity and when
shipment is required. This allows the suppliers to respond with
OpenOffer Sheets that match this need. The alert is by e-mail to
the designated address given by the supplier. The buyer can request
a private deal room, so that the identity of the buyer remains
anonymous. The buyer can provide a pseudonym or an email address,
so that the supplier can notify the buyer or post a message to the
buyer.
[0091] An OpenOffer Request Summary is available by product
category. For instance, the supplier may wish to aggregate requests
from all DealRooms by product category. In this way, the supplier
may see the level of demand required by its buyers in advance of
placing an OpenOffer for the product. This feature can be accessed
in real-time. An icon can be clicked to show the summary of
products being requested and pertinent data related to shipments.
Excess capacity can be priced to preferred customers.
[0092] The demand aggregator can also compare current orders for a
product on a timeline with the aggregated volume received from
OpenOffer Requests for the same product and requested ship dates is
available. This aggregation and comparison allows the supplier to
better estimate production estimates and forecasts. This allows for
better planned production and the ability to evaluate the cost
savings in terms of labor, material, production runs, etc. which,
in turn, allows the supplier to estimate the savings and prepare
the appropriate price and volume points.
[0093] A search engine system is included for searching for deals
over different supplier sites including the particular product
requested.
[0094] Other information can be included in the system, such as:
[0095] Total capacity posted by product, total, timeline, etc.
[0096] Total number of orders placed by product, total, timeline,
etc. [0097] % of capacity remaining by each product category
measured over the timeline [0098] Average price per product by
product category, by DealRoom, by customer, etc. [0099] Historical
timeline of product ordered, average price, breakdown by DealRoom
[0100] Historical review of total capacity listed by product that
went unpurchased [0101] Historical review of total orders over
days, weeks, months, quarters, etc. [0102] Chart of top customers
for each product line [0103] Projected sales taking historic
information by product and extrapolating over time by weeks,
months, etc. [0104] Trend analysis of product mix over periods of
time [0105] Evaluation of a volume of unpurchased product over a
predetermined time period and when such capacity will be taken off
market (e.g., termination of specials from completed OpenOffer
Sheets with close dates)
Private Buyer DealRoom Management System
[0106] A private buyer DealRoom management system allows a buyer to
review product summaries and order information in a plurality of
ways on the system based on DealRoom transactions. Such
transactions can include: [0107] Total orders placed by product,
group, average, etc. [0108] Total share by product type for each
supplier-measured over days, weeks, months, etc. [0109] Summary of
supplier ranking by product category [0110] Summary of current
pricing information by product category [0111] Historical review of
total orders over days, weeks, months, quarters, etc. [0112]
Projected orders for each product taking historic information and
extrapolating over time by weeks, months, etc. [0113] Trend
analysis of product mix over periods of time [0114] This trend
analysis is available on the site for suppliers to review in order
to complete OpenOffer Sheets with relevant volumes [0115] Ability
to compare percentage of products delivered on-time by product
category over days, weeks, months, etc. [0116] Ability to compare
percentage of products that meet quality criteria [0117] Ability to
compare percentage of product suppliers with good customer service
[0118] Ability to trend the price for a product over time: days,
months, quarters, years [0119] Ability to profile a supplier over
any period of time in price, quality, customer service, and deliver
with a line chart showing trends to those suppliers via e-mail
[0120] Ability to profile suppliers of a similar product in such a
way to compare performance over time [0121] Ability to provide
access for suppliers to see relative performance of their company
versus other companies in the same category [0122] The function of
setting minimum performance rankings for suppliers and when
suppliers fail to meet these standards, the buyer is notified
of--the buyer has the option of having an icon to click which will
list those suppliers who are in jeopardy along with a brief order
summary and ranking totals [0123] Ability to send to new suppliers
via e-mail [0124] Ability to review the number of orders placed
online and the fees associated therewith
Pre-Programmed Search Agents
[0125] A buyer can have pre-programmed search agents with preset
queries, requests, order execution rights and limitations, and a
myriad other instructions listed in the various other applications
described herein. Additionally, there can be an associated Master
Registration Form associated with the agent, which gives the buyer
agent potential access to appropriate DealRooms. The buyer agent
can have an embedded access code, which, if access is granted by
the supplier, will permit the buyer agent to access the offer
information. The buyer agent may have access to multiple DealRooms
simultaneously. Through this arrangement, the buyer agent and the
seller agent may interact to process the order. For example, the
buyer agent might ask: "Can Product A be delivered on the 25th
instead of the 30th for the same price?" The seller agent's
response will be based on information programmed into its
negotiating parameters, for example, "There is a 0.005% carrying
cost added to the price for the requested change." This process is
iterative based on the pre-programmed parameters of the agents.
[0126] The buyer agent can simultaneously negotiate with multiple
seller agents from multiple DealRooms and collate information from
various suppliers. The collated information is then displayed for
the buyer's review according to display preferences preset in the
agent's display protocol. For example, information can be ranked
according to lowest price, earliest ship date, longest warranty, or
any number of other criteria. Furthermore, criteria can be combined
and or weighted to suit the buyer's particular needs at any given
time.
[0127] The agent can also be provided with purchase rights. For
example, if predetermined criteria are met, an order will be
processed, including issuance of a purchase order number,
confirmation notification, etc. Such information is valuable to the
seller in that the agent is recognized as an agent having
pre-programmed authority to purchase rather than an agent that is
merely gathering information, thus permitting the seller to place
higher priority in this particular agent.
[0128] The supplier can access interactions with buyer agents and
the progress thereof. This information can be displayed, for
example, on the supplier's computer screen, personal digital
assistant, fax machine, etc. and will indicate early trends (for
example, price and volume of each interaction) as wells as other
data beneficial to the supplier's evaluation of potential
modifications to the seller agent's protocol.
[0129] With access requests provided by a buyer and access rights
given by a supplier, the system immediately allows for higher-level
interactions between buyer and seller in private and secure
locations. In these secure locations, the agents can interact
proceed with the "buy-no-buy" decision. Similarly, a supplier may
initiate the process with a buyer by sending a notice to the
buyer's computer, personal digital assistant, fax, etc. Buyer has
the ability to agree to view the offer, register, submit a profile,
program the buyer agent via the questions provided by the seller,
etc.
[0130] The agents are capable of using a variety of communication
languages. The methodology of the system includes interactions
involving JAVA, XML, etc., for additional information pertaining to
the particulars of the offer, the buyer or seller, the product,
etc.
Trend Analysis System
[0131] This aspect of the present invention (preferably implemented
via software) captures and collates current and/or historical
orders from OpenOffer and/or OpenOffer Request sheets.
[0132] The trend analysis system aggregates patterns of buyers in
purchases and demands. The trend analysis system also aggregates
patterns of suppliers in offers and performance criteria to form a
variety of trend analysis reports. The system also allows analysis
of buyers to facilitate buying blocks for buyers and to assist
suppliers in adjustment of their deal room offers. The trend
analysis system also provides reports on anonymous buyers and
sellers via a pseudonym. The system can communicate between
websites to raffl (suppliers based on different criteria. The
system can also establish transactional profiles based on
industries, geographical location and time periods. The various
trend analyses can be provided in different formats (e.g. pie
charts, time lines, etc.). The trend analysis system can be
utilized to identify various problems with buyer OpenOffer Request
trends and supplier OpenOffer trends and communicated back to the
buyers and/or suppliers.
Market Share System Reports
[0133] This aspect of the present invention (preferably implemented
by software) is capable of providing a file for suppliers to see
the relative market share they have for a single product versus
their competition. Substantially every item but price can be
reviewed by the supplier online with the same functionality as the
Private Buyer DealRoom Management System.
OpenOffer Merge File
[0134] For the buyer, the ability to place an order on any
sponsored site and after placing the order, have the option to
present the order in an ASCI II, comma delimited file that will be
sent to a specified e-mail account automatically. The icon ASCI II
will be available for the supplier to hit at the beginning of the
purchasing process which will cover purchases made on that site.
The ASCI II information will be posted to the e-mail address
indicated by the buyer. This feature will also be included as a
default set-up under MyeWinWin. This feature will then be engaged
whenever a buyer has set up this default and will travel with the
buyer from the site to the sponsor site. MyeWinWin is then
activated whenever the buyer places an order on the sponsor site.
FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of an ordering process.
Dynamic Pricing Model
[0135] The previous activity of the buyer on a site is recorded on
such criteria as amount of cancelled orders (as expressed by a
number of %), the track record of on-time payment, etc. until a
ranking is assigned to the buyer either manually or by default
criteria set by the manufacturer. For instance, a buyer with a 100%
rate of taking receipt of orders online and 100% of paying within
30 days would be assigned a high value such as AA When this buyer
returned to the site and entered a password, the AA rating would be
denoted and a series of value-added services would be made
available to that buyer such as a 5% discount for placing an
aggregated order, special offers such as a rebate of x amount when
the buyer is the first to place an order in the aggregated
OpenOffer, etc.
[0136] In addition, a dynamic price can be assigned to the ranking
of a buyer. For instance, buyers can be ranked in various groups
such as AA, BB, or CC based on their past history. The AA can be
tied to an automatic 5% discount whereby aggregated prices change
automatically when the password of that company is entered. A
company with a CC ranking could actually see a 5% premium when they
visit the same site, simply based on the password and the company's
past performance. The buyer that has a history of canceling may
carry a higher cost to the supplier . . . this cost, in turn, can
be programmed into that particular buyer's experience on their
site. In this way, additional DealRooms may not be required, as the
same DealRoom will take on the characteristics of that buyer.
[0137] The rating of a buyer on one particular DealRoom can be
aggregated and averaged along with the DealRooms of other suppliers
to develop an accurate "buyer profile." This profile can be
accessed by supplier to determine which customers visit the
supplier's DealRoom and what prices they eventually see. For
example, price range could be displayed in a single box, showing
the buyer a potential price based on various factors, such as added
buyer volume for a given ship date, lower raw material costs, etc.
The box can show the "next" price in one area and the potential
"final" price in another, employing any number of visual queues to
emphasize the two prices and the difference between them. This
dynamic price option can be set by the supplier or his agent or
requested by the buyer or his agent.
Not Exceed Pricing Option
[0138] A supplier can list as an option for certain customers a NOT
TO EXCEED option. In this case, a buyer has already negotiated a
NOT TO EXCEED price through a blanket contract for a set period of
time (e.g. one year). The NTE tag along with the set price is
programmed into the site through a series of fields. The buyer
places orders on the aggregated schedule at any time. If the
eventual price is below the NTE price, the order is executed at the
lower price. If the eventual price is above the NTE price, the
buyer is guaranteed that the highest price paid will be the NTE
price. The benefits are as follows: the buyer is capable of only
bettering the price negotiated at the beginning of the year, the
buyer gains the advantage of playing regional prices to their
advantage, and the supplier can secure a year-long contract to
baseload the business while adding value for this prime
customer.
Baseload Option
[0139] The baseload option status is conferred upon a buyer. In
this case, the supplier negotiates a better price at the onset of
the year in exchange for guaranteed acceptance of product orders
throughout the year by the buyer. Once the buyer accepts shipment
over the course of the year on pre-determined dates, the supplier
can then post planned inventory in advance based on this baseloaded
business. For instance, if the buyer agrees to accept shipment of
100 racks of glass the first week of every month for the next six
months, the supplier then posts the availability of an additional
50 racks of the same glass for the same week. The existing of the
original buyer provides a base that absorbs much of the fixed costs
associated with the schedule while the incremental 50 racks
represents proper capacity utilization at much higher profit
margins.
[0140] The schedule can be posted in advance at prices that create
an incentive for additional orders from other buyers on the site. A
NTE price option can also be given to this supplier.
Show Status
[0141] This status can be conferred on a buyer as an incentive for
the buyer to place orders early in the cycle of a product. A point
system can be applied for the buyer. For every time a buyer is the
first company to place an order in an OpenOffer Sheet, points can
be accrued that result in a year-end rebate or some other
incentive. For instance, 5 points assigned to every time the
company is the first to order in an OpenOffer sheet applies towards
the points needed by the end of the year to secure a discount. Such
an incentive creates customer loyalty and rewards a buyer beyond
the current system of discounts. Likewise, a rating system applied
to non-cancellation or proper payment could further reinforce this
behavior.
Real-Time Price Update Screen
[0142] A screen setting is available that allows a buyer to post a
series of product categories in a DealRoom with the current price
setting and the close date. The buyer is able to check on a
real-time basis the current price of clear glass by either a
supplier or group of suppliers, and the respective volume still
available with the close date. A product exchange is available to
the buyer on an as-needed and customized basis. Likewise, the
supplier can have a screen that shows the current prices of
OpenOffers across DealRooms and additional information.
Scheduled Production by Product Category
[0143] The supplier is capable of engaging a feature in the system
to aggregate, by product category, the total amount of product that
has been ordered, when it is due to ship and the remaining amount
of product that is still available. By inputting the amount of
available inventory of the product on site, the supplier is able to
see the production schedule for the product over the next duration
of a week, month, quarter or year. This schedule can be viewed in a
graph form with total capacity acting as the backdrop to total
production currently booked. The system is capable of incorporating
information from the supplier's MRP system in order to determine
the total capacity available. Also, a field of total capacity per
time period can be inserted. Now, the system can return an
OpenOffer sheet automatically with the amount of volume available.
The supplier can "split" the product offering among a couple of
different OpenOffer Sheets and DealRooms. The system can also alert
the supplier of the DealRoom with the highest price, historically,
and where the excess volume should be placed.
Demand Forecast System
[0144] The buyer and supplier both have access to a historical
purchase by a product category. The buyer can review historic
product demand schedules and request that the DFS take over. The
Demand Forecast System takes the preceding history and conducts an
average, extrapolating into the future the anticipated demand. This
demand is automatically placed into OpenOffer sheets. The OpenOffer
sheets can be sent to the suppliers for that product category. The
supplier simply assigns a price schedule based on the volume and
submits the form to the DealRoom. The process saves the supplier
and buyer from calculating or requesting forecasted demand
manually.
Reactive Pricing Model
[0145] A reactive pricing model can be provided which is based on
orders for at least one product. In this case, the supplier has the
option of lowering a price automatically based on market activity.
A supplier of clear glass has set a price and volume schedule. If
the activity of the site is such that multiple glass orders have
been placed, and the data show such orders have taken place with
other suppliers of the same product, registered discounts may be
triggered by such activity automatically if pre-determined by the
supplier. No pricing information is shared. Rather it is simply
based on the volume of product. The supplier may come in with
pricing starting at $0.29 per square foot of glass. If the trigger
point is reached with enough orders being placed with other
suppliers, the price is dropped to a predetermined schedule already
determined by the supplier. Conversely, the price can be set to
increase if activity is skewed too heavily to the supplier in
question. In this case, if orders are coming in sooner than
anticipated the supplier has the option to pull the pricing
schedule automatically (dropping current orders to their lowest
point or not) and resubmit the pricing at a different schedule
predetermined by the supplier.
[0146] Additionally, the supplier can program the price feature to
engage over several DealRooms. For instance, assuming the glass
price in one DealRoom is priced higher and is being accepted by the
customer, the system will automatically alert the supplier of this
happening and suggest additional volume be placed in that room. The
program could also allow for the supplier to automatically post
more products, say a specified amount, to the DealRoom with the
highest price.
[0147] Additional criteria can be added to this analysis. Assuming
a DealRoom profile of customers who accept the order on time, pay
in a timely manner, and pay a higher price than other DealRooms
would automatically be listed as the first customers to receive the
next available product volume.
[0148] Alternatively, or additionally, another reactive pricing
model can be provided which is based on an amount of time left in
an offer. A timed offer can be preset with the supplier presetting
dynamic pricing as the time elapses on an OpenOffer sheet. Assuming
no one has placed an order or if available quantities are still
available, the price can be programmed to drop by a percentage
throughout the remainder of the bid until a hidden price point is
reached. The buyers are encouraged to place their orders
accordingly until the market price has been established.
CRM Package
[0149] Information on buyer and prospective buyers are loaded into
a database that can include buyer information, such as:
[0150] Individual name
[0151] Company name and address
[0152] Email address
[0153] Phone number
[0154] Cell number
[0155] Products purchased
[0156] Volumes
[0157] Time of purchase
[0158] Other aspects of purchasing can also be included, such as,
times purchased, number of visits before order, price point at
first visit, second visit, products ordered, etc.
[0159] The record can also be included information from the
supplier, such as:
[0160] Whether a prospective buyer generally pays on time (yes or
no, or ranking applied, rating, etc.)
[0161] What percentage of business a prospective buyer gives a
supplier (whether there is potential to get more business? If yes,
then buyer joins another group segmented by the supplier)
[0162] Special offers to buyers, such as, discounts and/or coupons,
which may be in the form of a % off the curve or a new curve if
buyer agrees to place an order during this visit.
[0163] The cost to service customers can vary according to a
variety of factors. One of which is "when" the order is placed. For
example, the sooner an order is placed, the more beneficial it is
to the supplier with the ability to plan production to reduce costs
of subsequent orders. The earlier an order is placed and the larger
the amount, the more value may be created.
Incentive to Place Orders Sooner
[0164] One example of motivating buyers to place orders sooner
involves an initial offering of lower curves to a group of buyers.
The curve (or curves) can "change" according to a pre-determined
set of criteria. For instance, buyer A sees a curve as shown in
FIG. 16. As orders are placed, the curve can be constant for that
group of buyers, or a lower tier can change. This can be specified
in advance to the buyers by the supplier.
[0165] However, as shown in FIG. 17, subsequent buyers may see a
different curve for the same product with any number of variations
(e.g., first price is different, price breaks vary, lower price is
changed). This system rewards the buyers willing to place an order
earlier and lets the supplier plan the production run in
advance.
[0166] The CRM package records information for each buyer so that
custom curves can be set-up by the supplier. For instance, a buyer
has ordered product A three times over the past six months. The
first order was placed when the product price was $22, the second
when it was $20 and the third when it was $20 again. The final
price received was $17, $16 and $15 respectively. The next curve
the buyer may see will be set automatically based on the supplier's
specification. Examples of such specifications include: [0167] Past
price average over x period of time (number of orders, period of
time, etc.) will be the first, middle or last price seen as
determined by the supplier [0168] First price point will be x %
above the last order price placed [0169] Last price received (curve
bottom is set x % below that price, initial price is set at x %
above the curve top). [0170] Past price first view [0171] Past
price first order
[0172] The CRM package can evaluate buyer patterns and tendencies
and determine the optimal price curve for each buyer, group of
buyers, sub-segment of buyers, etc. Such curves will be created in
rapid succession whenever this tool is constructed and filled out
by the supplier for each buyer. Curves will be created around a
particular buyer's "experiences" online whatever they may.
[0173] A supplier may also designate an instant "Not to Exceed"
price based on certain buyers going online. For instance, in the
previous example buyer A may go online and be offered a price
somewhere in the middle of the curve as a "Not to Exceed" $18
dollars. In which case, the buyer will be guaranteed that price at
a maximum with the potential to get a better price as the volume
increases. These alerts can be customized based on the data
collected from that buyer and set into the software to appear on
selected products and offers. These can also be sent to directly to
the buyers via software generated HTML updates and notices of the
offer, sent to voice mail, personal digital assistants etc.
[0174] A buyer may also be given the special offer of "buy now that
the offer has closed and receive an additional 2% of the total
price" to help facilitate more sales. Other specials can include:
"order now and receive free shipping," "5% off the next order or
this order," "free storage for x number of days," etc.
[0175] The CRM software can record every offer ever made to a buyer
and document which offer(s) was successful. This information can be
analyzed for buyer patterns and provide input on future curves/new
buyer segments, etc. For instance, buyers that ordered at a price
point of $20 were 80% more likely to add to the order when free
shipping was included.
[0176] Likewise, data from online questionnaires can be tabulated
and presented as part of the buyer profile and used in future
offers. A buyer who states they like the free shipping feature can
be segmented into a group in which that offer is made available;
the new price curve may reflect a surcharge for such feature.
[0177] Conversely, buyers who like the no-cost storage for 30 days
could see a different curve automatically with that a part of the
offer. In this way, the buyer's behavior and input will be used to
automatically present curves that reflect their wants and/or
needs.
Option to Sell Back to the Supplier
[0178] Buyers may also buy "futures" of a product. For instance, a
group offer may be presented. The buyer can place the order for X
quantity. The supplier has the right to "buy back" the product from
the buyer if desired. The buyer may be given a lower price for this
option. Thus, the buyer can take the product for predetermined
period of time, and the supplier may buy back the product at a same
(or different) price if desired.
Buyer Can Select Price Curves
[0179] A supplier can post three curves for the same product and a
buyer can select which price curve will be applied to a particular
product by accepting different terms and conditions associated with
each curve (payment due at time of order).
Offers May Be Personalized
[0180] Buyers can receive personalized offers, such as, place order
now, place order on your next visit, place order within x period of
time, add to your initial order and receive X % more off this
purchase or receive a deeper discount curve.
One-Click Add to Initial Order
[0181] A buyer can have the ability add to a previous order without
going back to site. An HTML (voice mail, personal digital
assistant, cell phone, etc.) can be generated and sent to the buyer
showing the price curve and the total volume ordered. Based on this
knowledge, the buyer is able to click on the HTML and directly be
sent to the curve's order form (or have fields already presented
there) and add to the initial order. The system would update the
order automatically, post the new volume on the purchase order and
update the curve at the same time.
[0182] Likewise, special offers can be delivered via this same
medium. For instance, a special offer for a buyer to order now and
immediately receive 3% off the price of the product regardless of
any more orders being placed would allow a buyer to add to the
order.
Extend Offer
[0183] A supplier can select an icon that opens a price curve's
close date. An automatic message can be generated within a
specified period of time (x days before close, a few hours before
close, etc.) that asks the supplier if the offer should be extended
for x hours, days, etc. The supplier can click on an icon and a
field appears in which the supplier selects an acceptable time
period. An email may then generate an automatic alert letting
buyers know of this opportunity.
[0184] This feature can also be sent to those buyers listed in the
CRM program that have or have NOT visited the offer. The curve can
be sent to the group of buyers with the extension and price. A
special offer can be included as well that offers these buyers an
extra incentive to place an order. Since the buyers are registered,
they can agree to place an order from the HTML notice if they have
engaged this feature on their end.
[0185] Changes in minimum order quantities can also be done via a
notification system. The supplier may specify a certain minimum for
an offer. Once it is reached, a notice can go out which changes the
minimum for future purchases. Also, once a minimum quantity is
reached, the supplier can set the program to change the price
curve. Future buyers may see different starting, middle and ending
price figures.
Spot Curves
[0186] A supplier can create spot curves, as shown in FIG. 18. This
feature can be used when inventory is high and certain products
must be moved. In this case, an offer can be extended for a period
of time. A buyer may come in and place an order for the product and
then take the product immediately or along the period assigned. The
final price will be determined at the end of the order period,
which may come after the product is already at the buyer's
location. Spot curves can be sent to buyers via the CRM package and
offer buyers another incentive to place an order immediately.
[0187] The buyer also has the ability to change the accept date.
The system will calculate the new price based on the underlying
carrying cost. An alert will go out to the buyer (he can request to
be notified within a period of time).
[0188] For instance, a buyer has agreed to purchase 20 tons of
steel. He specifies 10 tons to be delivered on the 10th and the
other 10 tons to be delivered on the 30th. The total order is then
calculated based on what surcharge has been placed on the offer by
the supplier (the surcharge may also be $0). As more buyers order,
the price drops according to the curve. A ship location may also be
identified to specify if the first 10 tons need to be delivered to
a certain location and the second 10 tons to a different location.
A ship icon can be used to present the transportation costs and a
total icon can be used to present the total costs to the buyer.
Supplier can Offer Products Accordingly:
[0189] A supplier can offer products according to a specific date
range (e.g., week) or by a particular date. A buyer could have the
option of choosing an icon for a specific date to have delivery
made. The supplier can add the costs per day or even per hour, on
each ship date. The buyer gets the benefit of a group purchase with
receipt at the given time. If the buyer needs to change the ship
date, he can do so by clicking on "change ship date." The
quantities ordered, the shipping location, the order number, the
date of delivery, etc. can be listed and a Modify button can be
clicked to change the quantities shipped and the dates. If the
change is outside of a predetermined range, a cost may be levied.
If the date specified is in such a range that carries a surcharge,
then the buyer would be billed the extra cost (a calculation can be
set by the measured quantity such as tons and the carrying cost per
day associated with that unit). This is an optional feature that
can be turned on or off dependent upon the supplier and what
"groups" of buyers have this feature engaged.
[0190] Also, this feature can be turned off during the offer and an
HTML can be sent to buyers letting them know the order can be
placed and they will not be charged for storage up until x date.
This is a semi-automatic or automatic feature that is embedded in
the software.
[0191] A shipping icon can flash once an order has been placed
asking the buyer if they would like to arrange for shipping at this
time. The current price per mile or other form of pricing can be
presented.
Change Order
[0192] A buyer can click on an icon that directs them to his/her
order page in which the buyer can change the options of the product
selected. For example, a buyer may place an initial order for
50,000 units without specifying any or all of the options and/or
details associated with the product. Later, the buyer can return
and specify one or more of the options, ship dates, etc. for the
products. There may or may not be a charge for this feature.
Buyer's Ability to Change Quantity
[0193] This feature allows a buyer to change a total quantity
ordered. The curve may not change for the group of buyers who
already ordered. This event, however, could trigger changes in
slope, prices, quantities available, etc. for the other curves. A
surcharge may be levied or not based on the supplier's
decision.
Curve Sets Automatically
[0194] A first price for a product may be $25 and a final price for
the product may be $15. The software allows a supplier to define
such prices along with a volume and a price curve can automatically
calculates any price breaks. The supplier can specify a number of
breaks that should be calculated, such as 2 or 3. Specify a shallow
initial curve, and the curve automatically is set up, or specify a
deeper curve, and the curve is presented.
"Every Order Reduces the Price" Curve
[0195] The uniqueness of this curve is that with every minimum
order (if set), the price drops according to the curve. For
instance, the supplier sets the top and bottom prices along with
the volume. As every order is placed, the curve automatically
reflects the current price (e.g.--could be in dollars, cents).
Regardless, every order reduces the final price.
[0196] The slope can also change to reflect a deeper curve at the
beginning, and then shallow out at the end. A supplier specifies
the type of curve (an icon with different slopes can be presented
and the supplier simply has to click on the slope of choice and the
prices will calculate automatically). The curve is superior in many
ways because the buyers don't need a larger incremental volume to
be reached before receiving a lower price.
[0197] This curve can also be introduced into a regular curve. The
initial curve starts out with segments. Buyers can be notified via
HTML that the offer has been modified so that every order will drop
the price. A minimum can also be changed. Regardless, the value to
the buyers is the ability to add to their initial order and know
that every unit will reduce their price even more.
[0198] Multiple curves can be linked and de-linked at will by the
supplier.
Price Break Change
[0199] New price breaks can be introduced by a supplier with a
single click of the icon. The price breaks are presented and the
supplier can make changes by clicking on the break in question,
clicking on a % and clicking on reduce or increase, and pressing
submit. All buyers, specified buyers, and/or those buyers who
haven't seen price curve yet, etc. can be notified of the new price
curve.
[0200] A buyer can have access to such changes made by a particular
supplier. For instance, in a buyer's DealRoom the information on
the supplier's changes to curves, segments, prices, different
buyers, etc. can be evaluated.
Buyer Information
[0201] The supplier can make available to the buyer the average
price for a product over the last X number of offers, time, etc.
The metrics can be listed in their entirety, or in some form as
controlled by the supplier (or buyer in the BSDR). Probabilities
would be calculated and shown to the buyers: for instance there is
a 70% probability the next price tier of x dollars will be reached
with the margin of error displayed.
Alert System for Supplier
[0202] If a % of probability is not holding true on an order and
time is passing quickly, an alert system will let the supplier know
of the options available (i.e. drop price curve, shill order, offer
special curve to certain buyers (e.g. profile buyers).
Integration of CRM, ERP (Production Scheduling) and DAS
[0203] The following section describes how production scheduling,
the supplier's CRM package, DAS and DAS CRM can interact with one
another to create a system, as shown in FIG. 19, that adds value
for buyers and suppliers.
[0204] For instance, a production run can be scheduled for six
weeks from now for product B with options X and Y available. The
total quantity to be produced is x, and x+300 is the optimal run.
The scheduler can indicate this to the Product Manager/Sales
Manager etc. with the notice: Do we post the remaining quantity in
the DealRoom? Or, the software will be written to automatically
post these offers to the DealRoom with the same ship date, fob
point, etc. populating accordingly to the buyers listed in the
DealRoom/CRM package. Once the curve is created and confirmed
(automatically or semi-automatically by the other party), the curve
is posted in the DealRoom and the emails alerting the appropriate
buyers (as listed in the CRM) and internal people (e.g. sales,
inside customer service, etc.) are sent. Multiple curves may be
sent, linear offers may be prepared (e.g. show curve 1 for 24
hours, if not takers post curve 2, etc.) or any number of other
features may be included as listed in this patent application and
other applications. Further elaborating on this feature, the
software can be configured with a series of if, then instructions:
[0205] Post to first buyer--price curve A [0206] Post to second set
of buyers--price curve B [0207] Post to third set of buyers--price
curve C
[0208] The system allows for the supplier to change the sequence
and the time between offers (first offer may be for A, if no orders
or a certain thresholds not ordered then offer B and C concurrently
with linked curves).
[0209] If an order were to be received online in the DealRoom, it
would automatically populate the production schedule with quantity
ordered and other specifics and/or the order entry software.
Likewise, if an order can in from the order entry system, the
change would be reflected in the DealRoom (e.g. B capacity changed,
minimums changed, curves changed, etc.). A "stimulus" event would
impact the other parts of the system, and show up as a way to price
out the available capacity. Likewise, cancelled orders/changes to
production runs would immediately change the offers and order entry
data. If the total quantity has been ordered, a notice would be
sent to production regarding additional capacity/quantity?
[0210] A change in the production schedule would also alert the
Marketing/Sales Manager of available capacity and the ability to
add to the curve. The cost curve for the product is also available
for viewing. The manager can determine what price curve should be
set. Also, customer feedback as to when they would like to receive
their next order can be tabulated and sent to the production
manager. The production manager can put into the schedule and agree
to the total volume optimal in the run. The Marketing Manager is
notified, approving of the offer specifics and the buyers to be
contacted, and the order entry software is also contacted with the
information and is shown on the screen for internal order
takers/sales representatives.
[0211] The data collected from the order entry system regarding the
customers who ordered, their volumes, prices, etc. can be shared
and inputted into the CRM package for data analysis. Buyer spending
limits set in the order entry system can be set and carried across
to the DAS DealRoom. A credit system/amount available can also be
referenced in the software and indicated to the buyer and supplier.
If the buyer attempts to exceed his limit, a notice is given that
he is doing so and needs to speak with the supplier. The order has
not impacted the curve at this time.
One Time Only Curves
[0212] A supplier is able to post curves that can be pulled at any
time. Buyers are aware of these special offers and thus, may not
choose to plan their production on this availability. These are
truly spot opportunities and must be seized immediately. A guide
can be provided to the buyers on the types of curves that can be
presented.
Multi-Dimensional Curve
[0213] An example of a multi-dimensional curve is shown in FIG. 20.
In this example, the buyer is encouraged to place an order sooner.
Here, the buyer can see the earlier the order, the better the curve
and final price. This would work for seasonal products where a
supplier could truly benefit from early orders. Again, these curves
can be dynamic, adjusting as set by the supplier and by the demand
ordered. If the product is scarce or pricing is unknown, the
supplier may offer these type of curve, or variations of it, to
entice buyers to provide a pricing floor. Once done, then the other
curves can be modified (higher or lower) and the earlier curve
disappears for the rest of the buyers except for those that had
already placed their orders.
[0214] A not to exceed option can also be placed in this model. The
NTE means a buyer would never pay more than the existing price
where they placed an order, even if the curve was going up. And, a
downward curve connected at the time of purchase may be offered to
give the buyer a better opportunity to get a lower price.
Option to Buy
[0215] A buyer can purchase an option to buy the product during the
offer. For instance, a fee would be paid by the buyer to hold a
slot in the production schedule for X number of product A. The
supplier may post certain restrictions such as time of option to be
exercised, etc. If the option is exercised, then the price is
confirmed. If the option is not exercised, the supplier has this
capacity to sell but would collect a fee from the buyer holding the
option.
Seasonal Price Curve
[0216] Another example of a curve is shown in FIG. 21 and is one
that is set in advance and is time-sensitive. Offshoots tied to
volume may or may not be included at during the offer.
Option to have Production Schedule Underwritten by a Third
Party
[0217] To set up a line and produce a product is a costly venture,
especially if volume is not known or the run length is incomplete.
Using DAS, a supplier will have the option for a third party to
underwrite the cost of the production run if certain volumes are
not ordered. Based on archival data, a third party can set the
proper risk assessment and tie a financial figure to it. The
software would record the figure and the volume required.
[0218] For example, a run would be set-up and a final volume
reached. If the volume did not reach a certain threshold, then the
third party would pay the supplier. If the volume did reach the
threshold, then the third party would keep the payment. Partial
volumes could also dictate what level of the payment would be
released by the third party. In this way, a form of insurance could
be purchased by the manufacturer producing the good. These
contracts would be available for common trading among third
parties.
[0219] Other factors which may be used in this example are: post
production run, ship date, FOB point, product, quantity, history,
the right to purchase X of product A within a specified period . .
. option price of X. Buyers can also participate, being able to buy
options to purchase X amount of product.
[0220] Another variation on the price curve is shown with respect
to FIG. 22. Here, if an order is placed at a certain point, every
other order placed by buyer will drop the price by x %.
Software Option
[0221] Sales representatives/ISR's, when viewing both pricing
curves (forgers and service centers), would like to know which
curve they are viewing. Therefore, the software contains a labeling
system including but not limited to names and/or color coding of
the curves.
[0222] Currently, sales representatives are only able to see the
two different curves (Forgers and Service Centers). To broaden
options, when a representative logs on, a drop down box on the
first page (home page) can be employed to let him or her choose
whether to see Service Centers, Forgers, or any other curve. In
essence, they can be logged on as the "buyer" and be able to see
exactly what the buyer is seeing.
[0223] Additionally, a "view all" option can be added. This option
would allow sales representatives to see all the different curves.
Optionally, an extra field can be added in the aggregated offers
page. This field will provide information regarding the company
name, or name of the group of buyers that are able to see this
specific curve.
Sales Simulation Software
[0224] The seller has the ability to program an agent for a "mock"
purchase session. Buyer agents are randomly set based on
seller-provided information, and the interactions are set up and
executed. Additional information can be gleaned from various
sources, including actual data collected from earlier mock sessions
with different suppliers and buyers. The seller can learn how the
process works, and, ultimately, the seller can determine the final
volumes and price points that are achieved. The seller can then
analyze this data and compare it with real costs to determine
whether the observed margins are acceptable. With this information,
the seller may modify the offer or the seller agent protocol.
Agent Analysis Software
[0225] After a critical number of interactions have taken place,
the system will graph orders and non-orders for further analysis.
For example, the supplier may determine that price was a critical
factor in 80% of the analyzed order data, with 40% of the data
resulting in non-orders because the offered price exceeded that
which the buyer requested. Similarly, the seller may see that the
offered warranty was an issue in 10% of the non-orders. Seller can
use such information, in conjunction with recommendations presented
with the data points to inform the seller of various options, to
determine whether the seller should modify his or her offer.
Auto-Post and Re-Post Feature
[0226] For example, a supplier has posted an aggregated offer for
ship date Y. An order enters the system from a buyer with a
different ship date X specified (could be the internal ERP system,
other order entry system). The order is taken and the system
determines there is a new ship date with an X ship date. The system
references the new ship date with the old. The system can be
programmed to defer to the new ship date by a number of criteria
(such as by the customer who ordered the product, the amount
ordered, etc.). If so, the program can be set to automatically do
the following:
[0227] If there are no orders for ship date Y, the system changes
the ship date to X and can notify the buyers accordingly.
[0228] If there are orders for ship date Y, the system alerts those
buyers via phone, fax, personal digital assistant, email, etc. of
the change in ship date. If the buyer confirms the new ship date is
acceptable, the order is added to offer X. An incentive (3% off
your final price if you accept, etc.) may be offered by the system
(as programmed by the supplier). Another option would be the buyer
refuses to accept the discount for the ship date. The buyer can
then cancel the order via the system, or the supplier can honor the
ship date of X as well as Y. The supplier can also automatically
post the new ship date (X) in the DealRoom.
Change in Minimum Order Quantity
[0229] Product Offers are set up with a minimum order quantity to
simulate normal business practices. DAS also allows an Offer to be
configured with a multiple minimum order quantities. Once the
volume on a particular offer reaches a predetermined level, the
minimum order quantity can be lowered (or presumably, raised).
[0230] For example, an offer for 12L14 bar could be set up with an
initial minimum order quantity of 10 tons. Once orders have been
placed totaling 100 tons, the minimum order quantity could be
lowered to 5 tons automatically.
Customer-Determined Offer Availability
[0231] Product Offers are generally determined by the supplier.
However, DAS has the capability to survey buyers of a product. The
buyer can indicate a desired purchasing schedule, indicating the
types of products, product options, quantities and delivery dates.
Using this information, a supplier can determine a production
schedule that meets their internal goals, while accommodating
customer demand.
New Offer Notification
[0232] As new Offers are created, DAS can aid with the marketing
and promotion of those offers. During the Offer creation process,
DAS will notify the Action Manager of two potential pools of
customers. First, DAS generates a list of customers who have
purchased that particular product before. Second, DAS will generate
a list of potential customers, based on the survey data of
registered buyers.
[0233] Using these two lists of buyers, the Action Manager (or
Supplier) can then create a targeted marketing program. DAS will
allow new Offer notification both by email and by fax. A buyer with
a particular product tagged will automatically or
semi-automatically receive html alerts whenever the product has
been ordered.
New Pricing Notification
[0234] As orders on offers are placed, prices fall based on the
pre-determined price curve. As prices fall, DAS can generate
different lists of customers, such as: those who have already
placed orders; those who have purchased that particular product
before; and potential customers, based on the survey data of
registered buyers. The Action Manager is notified of the price
reduction and presented with the list. They can then elect to
notify the groups to the new price (and savings) via email or
fax.
[0235] The supplier has the ability to alter the curve in one of
the DealRooms to those buyers who have not yet seen the curve. For
instance, 40 buyers have access to a DealRoom. 5 buyers have
visited with 2 placing orders. The curve will stay the same for
this group of 5 (or two if the supplier wishes to engage this
option). The new curve will change according to input from the
supplier (let's assume it is higher, but it also could be lower).
Now, when the remaining buyers (35) visit the DealRoom, they will
see only this new curve (with the volume of the two included to
reflect an aggregated purchase in process). Likewise, the HTML
notices generated from this DealRoom will automatically have this
group separated and tagged.
[0236] Those buyers who either saw the first curve would still see
the curve they saw earlier. The new buyers would see a different
curve. Volume ordered by each would be reflected in the other
curve. The supplier can change a curve in mid-offer without
upsetting any customers. The profits would be higher with the
real-time flex-curve and new buyers still benefit from aggregation
(initial starting points, volume discounts, total volume, etc.
could be changed by the supplier in real-time).
HTML and Instant Order Form
[0237] A buyer can receive a real-time HTML alert notifying the
buyer of a current product or service price. An icon may then
appear that allows the buyer to select to order the product or
service immediately. Another icon can also appear which would send
a reminder to the buyer to check back on the product or service at
a predetermined time chosen by the buyer. If the buyer chooses to
order the product based on the HTML alert, the buyer can bypass the
front page (name and password sections) and the other pages in
between, and be at the order page. The buyer can then enter the
order (or add to the already placed order) at the order page.
Tethered Price Curve
[0238] Every buyer is given a % off the price of a product along
with a scheduled discount curve based on total volume ordered. The
buyer's discount follows the buyer throughout the DealRoom and by
product. As more volume is ordered for a particular product, (e.g.
100 tons), the buyer would experience the discount from their own
price volume curve. In this way, 100 buyers could have 100 price
curves while still aggregating their demand on the same curve.
Buyers are tethered off a production volume tied to a certain ship
date or period.
Changing-Tethered Price Curve
[0239] The % off could also change according to time or any other
criteria selected by the supplier (product, fob point, volume,
etc.) If the buyer has not ordered yet, a personal discount may be
reduced as more orders come in. Conversely, if few orders are
placed, the buyer may see an increase in the discount curve until
he orders. Once he does, his particular price curve is "locked in"
for the remaining offer time.
Sales Manager Dashboard
[0240] A sales manager dashboard can be incorporated into the
system. The dashboard is designed to allow a user to quickly set up
DealRooms, Offers, Products, Customers, and Customer Groups. Each
of these functions can be accessed from a standard web browser or
wireless personal digital assistant. Thus, the software allows
quick set up and configuration of each set of data. The dashboard
also contains a plurality of wizards that can quickly configure a
set of information. The wizards can include: [0241] DealRoom Wizard
[0242] A DealRoom wizard allows a user to quickly create new groups
of customers based on geography, company size, sales volume, or any
other category grouping. A point and drag feature can be included
to direct a potential buyer, a product offer, etc. to a DealRoom.
[0243] Offer Wizard [0244] An offer wizard allows a user to quickly
create new offers, based on previous offers or entirely new offers.
[0245] Product Wizard [0246] A product wizard allows a user to add
products to be offered. [0247] Customer Wizard [0248] A customer
wizard allows a user to register new users by manually entering
information or importing information from existing data sources
(e.g., a spreadsheet). Users can be set up from a workstation or
the information can be entered remotely from a wireless personal
digital assistant. [0249] Customer Group Wizard [0250] A customer
group wizard allows a user to create new customer groups, reassign
customers within groups, remove customers from groups, or remove
entire groups.
[0251] Each wizard, upon substantially completing its function, has
the ability to determine if another wizard should be invoked. For
example, once the DealRoom wizard has completed setting up a new
DealRoom and the customers that will have access to that DealRoom,
the next logical step is to call the product wizard to create
products that will be offered in the new DealRoom. The offer wizard
would then be called next to configure the offers for those
products. Likewise, the customer wizard can call the customer group
wizard in order to assign a new customer to an appropriate group or
groups of buyers.
[0252] The sales manager dashboard may be accessed via a phone
line. For example: a user calls a 1-800 number to access his
DealRoom. The user is then asked to enter a code, which may be
entered on the number pad or spoken into the phone receiver. Once
accepted by the system, the user hears a series of prompts. The
prompts may include: [0253] To post a new offer, press or say 1.
Here, a series of prompts then walks the user through a series of
fields to be completed (e.g., the product, starting price, price
breaks, ending price, quantities). The user can at any time review
the information for accuracy. The company name and buyer(s) or
groups of buyers that have access to the product are then entered.
Finally a confirmation is sent to the user to confirm the order The
confirmation may be sent via email, instant message, etc. After the
initial offer, the software can automatically enter new offers for
the user over the phone based on the user's input. [0254] To add a
new customer, press or say 2. Here a buyer can be added online with
a notification (via email, instant message, etc.) sent to the buyer
with user name and password information. [0255] To change a
customer's options, press or say 3. Here a customer can be added or
removed from a specified DealRoom. [0256] To find current orders,
press or say 4. Here a user can find his current, outstanding
orders, or a seller can find any outstanding orders by customer
and/or product. [0257] To find DealRoom information, press or say
5. Here a user can determine when a DealRoom will close, what the
current product price in the DealRoom is, etc.
[0258] A user can navigate through and even customize the options
in order to have access to any and all information available in a
DealRoom. Restrictions upon these options may be set by a system
administrator.
Action Manager Dashboard
[0259] The action manager can have access to part of or the entire
operation of DealRooms from multiple suppliers, multiple buyer and
supplier price curves, etc. from a single screen. For example, drop
down menus allow an action manager to see a list of DealRooms by
supplier. Selecting a folder allows the action manager to then see
the various DealRooms within each supplier DealRoom. Selecting the
folder again allows the action manager to view the products offered
in that particular DealRoom. In one section of the screen, the
action manager can search via filters/free text searches to pull up
the name of a DealRoom, buyer, etc. Headings displayed in the
search box can include new customers, existing customers, etc. A
point and drag system lets the action manager put a new buyer into
a proper DealRoom (listed in folders on a side of the screen). This
tool allows the action manager to quickly post new customers to
DealRooms, change access rights, or delete from the DealRoom. If
the action manager selects a buyer name, another portion of the
screen displays the individual buyer information as well as access
to notes, contact information, name and password information,
etc.
[0260] Another portion of the screen is a delimiting function that
allows the action manager to limit searches by state, company name,
DealRoom folder, product folder, etc. Likewise, individual buyer
information is available by selecting that particular folder. A
product profile is also listed for each buyer, which can be
completed by a buyer via email, upon registration, or by the action
manager during a phone call. Products are tagged and as orders are
placed for those products, the buyer is alerted via email
automatically sent from this dashboard. The orders can also be
tabulated and viewed through the dashboard.
[0261] The products the buyer purchases are color coded to show the
following profile:
[0262] Orders a product frequently--chart the orders over time
[0263] Has ordered in the past--shows when that product was last
purchased, click again to see all of their purchases for this
product, at what price they entered their order, at what price they
received when all the volume was added
[0264] Average price of when first order is placed
[0265] % savings from that price to the final price
[0266] % savings from the first list price versus the price where
order was placed
[0267] Is order volume increasing over time, decreasing over time?
Show graph
[0268] Superimpose trend of average price and total volume ordered
. . . calculate the price sensitivity of this buyer: High, Medium,
Low
[0269] Show range of the buys: min, max., average, median price
points in a single graph
[0270] What is the price elasticity for this customer: As price
drops, how much more is ordered
[0271] Average savings on product
[0272] Extrapolate how much customer will order over the year
(based on data collected)
[0273] Show this on a graph . . . compare to the average of all
buyers for this product (tally from online orders for this
item)
[0274] Develop a buyer profile showing the supplier (and possibly
buyer) how often the buyer orders, etc. for quick reference
whenever the buyer profile
[0275] Show curves for all of these features by different DealRoom
segments
[0276] List feature--high price elasticity to low price
elasticity
[0277] Customer adds to order: very frequently, infrequently
[0278] Supplier can group into segments: Green are tier 1 buyers,
Blue tier two buyers and decide to regroup the buyers into new
DealRooms
Alert System
[0279] As each of the wizards is called, a user can configure a
series of notifications. These notifications can be done via email,
fax, or paging, to a workstation, wireless personal digital
assistant, or phone/pager. As part of the customer wizard, the user
can choose to be notified the first time a new user logs onto the
system, or the first time a user places an order. As part of the
offer wizard, the user can choose to be notified when the first
order is placed, when the volume of product ordered reaches a
predetermined point, or when the offer is about to close.
Support of Sales Goals
[0280] An example of the use of the sales manager's dashboard can
be a quick configuration of offers for products after a sales
meeting. When a supplier determines sales goals, focus on sales in
a particular product line, or any other sales based initiatives,
the system can be immediately configured to support these
initiatives. For instance, new offers can be created for products
determined to be hot sellers; new customer groups can be created to
support initiatives to enter a new sales territory; and/or new
DealRooms can be set up to accommodate a restructuring of sales
accounts.
Posted Order Not Shown
[0281] When an order is cancelled, the volume may not be removed
from the price curve due to the desire to show price transparency.
However, this is likely to cause the supplier a significant loss
since the buying group will be given the discounted price without
the ordering the volume of product that warrants such a discount.
Cancellation fees may be imposed, however, if the cancellation
takes place at the top of the curve, the margin of loss is still
high. In order to protect a supplier from future losses, it is
desired to keep the "canceling buyer" segregated from the other
buyers. This can be done by showing the "canceling buyer" the curve
that the other buyers see. If the "canceling buyer" places and
order on his/her curve, this volume will be placed in his/her curve
only. Thus, the other buyers will not be affected. When the offer
closes, and if the "canceling buyer" has not cancelled the order,
the volume will be added into the curve for the other buyers and
the price will be discounted accordingly. This system could be
accomplished by allowing a buyer to select an option to "hold
volume until close."
Purchasing Profile
[0282] The system can allow a customer to have a predefined
purchasing profile. For example, if a customer typically purchases
a particular product with particular options, the customer's
personalized information will be automatically retrieved and
entered when a new order for the customer is initiated. Likewise,
if a customer has a contract pricing relationship with a supplier,
the customer's contract price, along with the customer's standard
options and purchase information will be automatically retrieved
and entered when a new order for the customer is initiated.
[0283] Reminders, via email or instant message, could also be sent
to the customer based on his/her personal purchasing profile. For
example, if a customer desires to place orders 45 days in advance
for particular products, the system could send reminders to the
purchasing agent if the customer has not ordered within the 45
days. It is to be appreciated that any predetermined amount of time
may be configured for the reminders.
[0284] The system can also automatically update fields, such as the
additional information field and the shipping instructions field,
based on the customer's location. For example, if a customer
typically has product A sent to his/her plant at location X and
product B sent to his/her plant at location Y, the instructions
specific to each product can be identified and attached to the
appropriate orders.
[0285] Another variation is a buyer with multiple products that are
ordered from a particular supplier. A listing of these products is
placed in the buyer's customer profile. When a new curve is
introduced for one of these products, the buyer receives an alert
or feeder, as will be discussed in greater detail below. If the
alert is received via email, the email can contain a link and/or
order icon, which will allow the buyer to place a new order
automatically. The customer profile can be further tailored to
match ship dates between the profile and the supplier's product
offering prior to sending an alert to the buyer.
[0286] The buyer may choose to have a feeder running across a
portion of the buyer's home page, which displays the current offers
and prices for products in the customer profile. The price and ship
dates can be listed along with the price curves. An icon may be
selected to see the current price curve. Thus, the buyer can view,
firsthand, the ability to group a purchase. With one click, the
buyer can access a particular DealRoom which displays the product
curve and order page that the buyer is interested in. Or, from the
feeder, the buyer can click on a product and an order screen for
the product appears. The feeder can be updated in real-time to
reflect new product prices and volumes available.
[0287] If the buyer has already placed an order for the product
with a different ship date, the system displays the old ship date
and the new ship date to the buyer. The buyer is then given the
opportunity to transfer the order to the new ship date by selecting
an "accept new ship date" icon. A confirmation notice via email,
for example, is sent to the buyer to inform him/her of the specific
terms (e.g., cancellation terms) of the offer. The information
immediately allows the order to be put onto a group purchase option
and the price curve reflects the new change.
Posting Additional Price Breaks
[0288] The system can automatically, or semi-automatically, post
additional price breaks within an existing offer. For instance, if
an offer has a first price break of five dollars at 100 units and a
second price break of ten dollars at 300 units, the system can
automatically post price breaks according to a predefined schedule
or prompt the supplier to post price breaks at various points
between the 100 and 300 quantities. The ten dollars could be broken
up equally (i.e., one dollar price break for every 40 units), or a
variety of other pricing structures could be established, such as,
more breaks at the beginning of the curve, more breaks at the end
of the curve, and variations on the increments whether equally
distributed or lower dollar amounts initially then higher, etc. The
option, once selected by the supplier, could alter the price curves
accordingly. Likewise, this feature could be integrated into the
system with the ability to alert buyers via email, fax, phone,
instant message, etc. of the new price breaks that have been
established.
Price Curve Creation Tool
[0289] A price curve creation tool allows a supplier to import
existing customers and prices (contract and/or current price) and
previous volumes ordered into a price curve. The price in the
DealRoom curve can be established by having the supplier select a
starting price curve and an option to put the same price on a first
tier for a buyer with a predetermined percentage discount (e.g., 1%
off current price when order is placed online), or an option to
match an offline price to the first tier of an online curve. The
rest of the curve can be created by using a wizard. The wizard can
walk the supplier through each buyer's curve from a single screen
view and then display a curve that reflects the price and volume
breaks for that particular buyer. If the supplier changes
quantities, the curve's slope will immediately change to reflect
the new price breaks. These price curves can likewise be changed
quickly by using the feature to modify an existing curve between
DealRooms.
[0290] The invention has been described with reference to the
preferred aspects. Obviously, modifications and alterations will
occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding
detailed description. It is intended that the invention be
construed as including all such modifications alterations, and
equivalents thereof and is limited only by the scope of the
following claims.
Displays for Aggregated Purchasing
[0291] Displays, where a supplier can post for buyers the changes
in prices relative to ship dates and time of order, can include:
[0292] Show offers by the day over a period of time (e.g., calendar
with 30 days). [0293] Calendar for the product, which can coincide
with the ship date. [0294] A customer gains access to a DealRoom
and sees a listing. [0295] Current quantity available in stock and
price of the current stock. [0296] The current price can read the
customer's contract price or default price set by the DealRoom
where the buyer has been given access. [0297] A calendar shows the
dates for any period of time (e.g. day by day, week, month,
quarter).
[0298] A price per unit measure (e.g. pound, carton). For instance,
a buyer would register to the DealRoom and instead of seeing a
price curve upfront, the buyer would select a product category and
then see a calendar appear with different prices for each date
(tied to a ship date or receive date). As an example, on the first
day of the month, a product has a price of $129/thousand and on the
fifth day, the product has a price of $127/thousand. The buyer can
select a day with a price by clicking on an icon. A price curve
appears that shows where the price is in the curve, the next price
break, quantity available, time for an order to be placed, etc.
[0299] Other options also exist, which include: a table with prices
and quantities, a 3-dimensional chart that lays out the month along
with the relative price points and quantities available, a curve
that shows prices (lowest to highest, for example) for the product,
and price and time remaining for each offer.
[0300] An "L" for the lowest price in view, "2L" for the next
lowest price, etc. can also be listed on the calendar for a quick
view.
[0301] The buyer can place an order and add to the group's
acceptance date. As the offer closes, the price is confirmed and
the order executed.
[0302] A quick search can be done to find the lowest current price,
the lowest potential price, etc. Or, a quick search can be done at
the first page by selecting a product and having the chart appear
accordingly, or the prices and dates offered appear.
[0303] Some dates on the calendar may not have any numbers that
would reflect that the product is not available at that time
(unless pulled from inventory in which a price can be put in that
correlates to the contract price/pull from inventory price).
[0304] A carrying cost calendar can be used on the screen as well
for the buyer to plug in numbers such a quantity needed, time
before product is completely used, date initially needed, average
consumption per day, total carrying cost percentages, etc. and the
system will return the appropriate volume to order and date.
[0305] The system can display information such as: how many buyers
have access to a particular offer, how many buyers have visited an
offer to date, how much has been ordered by a group over the
history of the product.
[0306] The system can also include a price protect feature for a
supplier. For example, once a buyer has ordered, the screen, or
calendar, is copied and is accessible for future use. The data can
be forwarded to a database that will track the price and delivery
variances and arrive at a price sensitivity profiles for the buyer
and the particular product. The supplier can also use this
information to generate future calendars for this buyer or other
buyers. A ranking system will also be available to show the price
sensitivity of this buyer as the different dates and prices are
pulled into a database and a color-coded or ranking system is
leveled that compares the buyers and puts them into categories,
such as: high price sensitivity (1:3)--for every 1% decrease in
price, the customer purchases 3% more; medium price sensitivity
(1:1.125)--for every 1% decrease in price, the customer purchases
1.25% more, low price sensitivity, and no price sensitivity.
[0307] The calendar can also change in real-time based on the
information fed into the system by a semi-automatic function (the
user inputs changing volumes and prices) or a direct feeding of
information from the supplier's ERP system. Current inventory
levels would not only change, but also the available volumes.
[0308] The supplier or buyer can also have a save feature
incorporated that allows the buyer to save the prices presented in
the calendar for a period of time determined by the supplier. In
this way, the buyer has access to a product's old prices for a
period of time while still having access to the lower prices that
may appear from changes to the calendar in the interim. It is a way
to reward a buyer for participating in the program and can be done
automatically by the software and given a name (e.g., calendar
5/1/02 for quick access).
Predictive Modeling and Reporting Function
[0309] The demand aggregation system can also include a predictive
modeling and reporting function. Authorized data can be posted in a
DealRoom and is audited and confirmed by an outside source, if
necessary. The authorized data can include: [0310] the number of
open DealRooms for a product [0311] the average offer period [0312]
minimum and maximum prices offered [0313] minimum and maximum
quantities offered [0314] at least one graph illustrating starting
and ending points for the product [0315] average volume ordered in
each DealRoom [0316] mean, variance, standard deviation, and other
statistical analysis [0317] trend analysis [0318] number of total
buyers with access to the offer [0319] number of active buyers with
access to the offer [0320] average number of active buyers to total
buyers with access to the DealRoom
[0321] An algorithm is then employed to utilize the information
described above and post a probability chart on the product price
point. For instance, the product being offered has the following
probability posted:
[0322] 10% probability the final price will be $125
[0323] 80% probability the final price will be $135
[0324] 10% probability the final price will be $145
[0325] As volume is ordered for the product, the probabilities are
updated in real-time to reflect the change. Thus, if the time
required to reach the mid-point on the price curve occurs earlier
within the time frame of the offer, the probabilities of the price
dropping to a lower price rises and another probability is
presented to illustrate that the price could drop further.
[0326] The present invention may be implemented via object oriented
programming techniques. In this case each component of the system
could be an object in a software routine or a component within an
object. Object oriented programming shifts the emphasis of software
development away from function decomposition and towards the
recognition of units of software called "objects" which encapsulate
both data and functions. Object Oriented Programming (00P) objects
are software entities comprising data structures and operations on
data. Together, these elements allow objects to model virtually any
real-world entity in terms of its characteristics, represented by
its data elements, and its behavior represented by its data
manipulation functions. In this way, objects can model concrete
things like people and computers, and they can model abstract
concepts like numbers or geometrical concepts.
[0327] The benefit of object technology arises out of three basic
principles: encapsulation, polymorphism and inheritance. Objects
hide or encapsulate the internal structure of their data and the
algorithms by which their functions work. Instead of exposing these
implementation details, objects present interfaces that represent
their abstractions cleanly with no extraneous information.
Polymorphism takes encapsulation one step further--the idea being
many shapes, one interface. A software component can make a request
of another component without knowing exactly what that component
is. The component that receives the request interprets it and
figures out according to its variables and data how to execute the
request. The third principle is inheritance, which allows
developers to reuse pre-existing design and code. This capability
allows developers to avoid creating software from scratch. Rather,
through inheritance, developers derive subclasses that inherit
behaviors, which the developer then customizes to meet particular
needs.
[0328] In particular, an object includes, and is characterized by,
a set of data (e.g., attributes) and a set of operations (e.g.,
methods), that can operate on the data. Generally, an object's data
is ideally changed only through the operation of the object's
methods. Methods in an object are invoked by passing a message to
the object (e.g., message passing). The message specifies a method
name and an argument list. When the object receives the message,
code associated with the named method is executed with the formal
parameters of the method bound to the corresponding values in the
argument list. Methods and message passing in 00P are analogous to
procedures and procedure calls in procedure-oriented software
environments.
[0329] However, while procedures operate to modify and return
passed parameters, methods operate to modify the internal state of
the associated objects (by modifying the data contained therein).
The combination of data and methods in objects is called
encapsulation. Encapsulation provides for the state of an object to
only be changed by well-defined methods associated with the object.
When the behavior of an object is confined to such well-defined
locations and interfaces, changes (e.g., code modifications) in the
object will have minimal impact on the other objects and elements
in the system.
[0330] Each object is an instance of some class. A class includes a
set of data attributes plus a set of allowable operations (e.g.,
methods) on the data attributes. As mentioned above, 00P supports
inheritance--a class (called a subclass) may be derived from
another class (called a base class, parent class, etc.), where the
subclass inherits the data attributes and methods of the base
class. The subclass may specialize the base class by adding code
which overrides the data and/or methods of the base class, or which
adds new data attributes and methods. Thus, inheritance represents
a mechanism by which abstractions are made increasingly concrete as
subclasses are created for greater levels of specialization.
[0331] The present invention can employ abstract classes, which are
designs of sets of objects that collaborate to carry out a set of
responsibilities. Frameworks are essentially groups of
interconnected objects and classes that provide a prefabricated
structure for a working application. It should also be appreciated
that the PCM and the shared memory components could be implemented
utilizing hardware and/or software, and all such variations are
intended to fall within the appended claims included herein.
[0332] According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention,
Java and CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture) are
employed to carry out the present invention. Java is an
object-oriented, distributed, secure, architecture neutral
language. Java provides for object-oriented design, which
facilitates the clean definition of interfaces and makes it
possible to provide reusable "software ICs." Java has an extensive
library of routines for copying easily with TCP/IP protocols like
HTTP and FTP. Java applications can open and access objects across
a network via URLs with the same ease to which programmers are
accustomed to accessing a local file system.
[0333] Furthermore, Java utilizes "references" in place of a
pointer model and so eliminates the possibility of overwriting
memory and corrupting data. Instead of pointer arithmetic that is
employed in many conventional systems, the Java "virtual machine"
mediates access to Java objects (attributes and methods) in a
type-safe way. In addition, it is not possible to turn an arbitrary
integer into a reference by casting (as would be the case in C and
C++ programs). In so doing, Java allows the construction of
virus-free, tamper-free systems. The changes to the semantics of
references make it virtually impossible for applications to forge
access to data structures or to access private data in objects that
they do not have access to. As a result, most activities of viruses
are precluded from corrupting a Java system.
[0334] Java affords for the support of applications on networks.
Networks are composed of a variety of systems with a variety of CPU
and operating system architectures. To enable a Java application to
execute anywhere on the network, a compiler generates an
architecture neutral object file format--the compiled code is
executable on many processors, given the presence of the Java
runtime system. Thus, Java is useful not only for networks but also
for single system software distribution. In the present personal
computer market, application writers have to produce versions of
their applications that are compatible with the IBM PC and with the
Apple Macintosh. However, with Java, the same version of the
application runs on all platforms. The Java compiler accomplishes
this by generating byte code instructions which have nothing to do
with particular computer architecture. Rather, they are designed to
be both easy to interpret on any machine and easily translated into
native machine code on the fly.
[0335] Being architecture neutral, the "implementation dependent"
aspects of the system are reduced or eliminated. The Java virtual
machine (VM) can execute Java byte codes directly on any machine to
which the VM has been ported. Since linking is a more incremental
and lightweight process, the development process can be much more
rapid and exploratory. As part of the byte code stream, more
compile-time information is carried over and available at
runtime.
[0336] Thus, the use of Java in the present invention provides a
server to send programs over the network as easily as traditional
servers send data. These programs can display and manipulate data
on a client computer The present invention through the use of Java
supports execution on multiple platforms. That is the same programs
can be run on substantially all computers--the same Java program
can work on a Macintosh, a Windows 95 machine, a Sun workstation,
etc. To effect such multi-platform support, a network interface 105
and a network browser (not shown) such as Netscape Navigator or
Microsoft Internet Explorer may be used in at least one aspect of
the present invention. It should be appreciated, however, that a
Java stand-alone application may be constructed to achieve a
substantially equivalent result. Although the present invention is
described with respect to employing Java, it will be appreciated
that any suitable programming language may be employed to carry out
the present invention.
[0337] An Internet explorer (e.g., Netscape, Microsoft Internet
Explorer) is held within the memory of the client computer. The
Internet Explorer allows a user to explore the Internet and view
documents from the Internet. The Internet Explorer may include
client programs for protocol handlers for different Internet
protocols (e.g., HTTP, FTP and Gopher) to facilitate browsing using
different protocols.
[0338] It is to be appreciated that any programming methodology
and/or computer architecture suitable for carrying out the present
invention may be employed and are intended to fall within the scope
of the hereto appended claims.
[0339] The subject invention has industrial applicability in at
least the fields of computer systems, networks, and electronic
commerce.
* * * * *