Method and apparatus for efficiently responding to electronic requests for quote
First Claim
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1. A method of utilizing an intermediary request for quote (RFQ) computer system in a system architecture of a client computer system, the RFQ computer system, and one or more merchant computer systems for automatically generating an electronic RFQ, the method comprising:
- performing by the RFQ computer system programmed with code stored in a memory and executing by a processor of the computer system to configure the computer system into a machine;
receiving electronic product selection data representing one or more selected products and a quantity for each selected product to be included in the electronic RFQ, wherein each of the products are offered via one or more web pages generated by a second computer system;
receiving an electronic request from a user of the client computer system, coupled to a network of interconnected systems, to generate said electronic RFQ, wherein the RFQ generation request includes product selection data indicating a selection of one or more products by the user and the RFQ generation request is received in response to selection by the user of an electronically selectable user interface component provided to the client computer system by the second computer system to allow the user to request generation of the electronic RFQ generation request;
accessing at least one database at a central storage location to obtain a file associated with said user, said file comprising RFQ fulfillment related preferences of said user for generating said electronic RFQ, wherein one or more of said preferences are selected from the group comprising time until a due date of the RFQ, default service requirements from a merchant, time prior to sending the RFQ, and time until delivery after an order;
populating fields of said electronic RFQ in accordance with said product selection data and preferences;
selecting one or more merchants from a data storage device to receive the RFQ in accordance with the RFQ fulfillment related preferences; and
sending said RFQ to each merchant computer system of each selected merchant via said network.
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Abstract
A system and method for efficiently responding to electronic requests for quote (“RFQ”). Through use, a user, such as a merchant, can automatically create and deliver an electronic RFQ response, without need for any interaction by the merchant. The merchant may establish certain criteria in order to allow the system and method to automatically respond to electronic RFQ'"'"'s received by the merchant.
60 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method of utilizing an intermediary request for quote (RFQ) computer system in a system architecture of a client computer system, the RFQ computer system, and one or more merchant computer systems for automatically generating an electronic RFQ, the method comprising:
performing by the RFQ computer system programmed with code stored in a memory and executing by a processor of the computer system to configure the computer system into a machine; receiving electronic product selection data representing one or more selected products and a quantity for each selected product to be included in the electronic RFQ, wherein each of the products are offered via one or more web pages generated by a second computer system; receiving an electronic request from a user of the client computer system, coupled to a network of interconnected systems, to generate said electronic RFQ, wherein the RFQ generation request includes product selection data indicating a selection of one or more products by the user and the RFQ generation request is received in response to selection by the user of an electronically selectable user interface component provided to the client computer system by the second computer system to allow the user to request generation of the electronic RFQ generation request; accessing at least one database at a central storage location to obtain a file associated with said user, said file comprising RFQ fulfillment related preferences of said user for generating said electronic RFQ, wherein one or more of said preferences are selected from the group comprising time until a due date of the RFQ, default service requirements from a merchant, time prior to sending the RFQ, and time until delivery after an order; populating fields of said electronic RFQ in accordance with said product selection data and preferences; selecting one or more merchants from a data storage device to receive the RFQ in accordance with the RFQ fulfillment related preferences; and sending said RFQ to each merchant computer system of each selected merchant via said network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A non-transitory, computer readable medium that comprises code stored therein and executable by one or more first data processors to configure a computer system into an intermediary request for quote (RFQ) computer system in a system architecture of a client computer system, the RFQ computer system, and one or more merchant computer systems to automatically generate an electronic RFQ, wherein the code when executed by the RFQ computer system configures the RFQ computer system into a machine for:
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receiving electronic product selection data representing one or more selected products and a quantity for each selected product to be included in the electronic RFQ, wherein each of the products are offered via one or more web pages generated by a second computer system; receiving an electronic request from a user of the client computer system, coupled to a network of interconnected systems, to generate said electronic RFQ, wherein the RFQ generation request includes product selection data indicating a selection of one or more products by the user and the RFQ generation request is received in response to selection by the user of an electronically selectable user interface component provided to the client computer system by the second computer system to allow the user to request generation of the electronic RFQ generation request; accessing at least one database at a central storage location to obtain a file associated with said user, said file comprising RFQ fulfillment related preferences of said user for generating said electronic RFQ, wherein one or more of said preferences are selected from the group comprising time until a due date of the RFQ, default service requirements from a merchant, time prior to sending the RFQ, and time until delivery after an order; populating fields of said electronic RFQ in accordance with said product selection data and preferences; selecting one or more merchants from a data storage device to receive the RFQ in accordance with the RFQ fulfillment related preferences; and sending said RFQ to each merchant computer system of each selected merchant via said network. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An apparatus comprising:
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one or more data processors; a non-transitory, computer readable medium, coupled to the processor, that comprises code stored therein and executable by one or more first data processors to configure the apparatus into an intermediary request for quote (RFQ) computer system in a system architecture of a client computer system, the RFQ computer system, and one or more merchant computer systems to automatically generate an electronic RFQ, wherein the RFQ computer system is configured to; receive electronic product selection data representing one or more selected products and a quantity for each selected product to be included in the electronic RFQ, wherein each of the products are offered via one or more web pages generated by a second computer system;
receive an electronic request from a user of the client computer system, coupled to a network of interconnected systems, to generate said electronic RFQ, wherein the RFQ generation request includes product selection data indicating a selection of one or more products by the user and the RFQ generation request is received in response to selection by the user of an electronically selectable user interface component provided to the client computer system by the second computer system to allow the user to request generation of the electronic RFQ generation request;access at least one database at a central storage location to obtain a file associated with said user, said file comprising RFQ fulfillment related preferences of said user for generating said electronic RFQ, wherein one or more of said preferences are selected from the group comprising time until a due date of the RFQ, default service requirements from a merchant, time prior to sending the RFQ, and time until delivery after an order; populate fields of said electronic RFQ in accordance with said product selection data and preferences; select one or more merchants from a data storage device to receive the RFQ in accordance with the RFQ fulfillment related preferences; and send said RFQ to each merchant computer system of each selected merchant via said network. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification