Storefront for an electronic marketplace for services
First Claim
1. A computer implemented method, comprising:
- establishing a database of service providers for providing a predefined service;
receiving a purchase request for the predefined service from a buyer;
assigning the purchase request to a service provider in the database; and
returning a deliverable from the service provider to the buyer.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for buying and selling services online includes a process for custom services, a commodity process and a collaborative workspace on a website. The process for custom services includes the posting by a buyer of specific criteria for a desired service, the bidding by a seller to perform the service, and the selection of a seller by the buyer. The commodity process includes the posting by a seller of a service offering, the posting by the buyer of requirements for the purchase of the service offering, and the purchase of a service offering by the buyer. The commodity process may also include an optimization process that provides the buyer with an optimized list of service offerings. The collaborative workspace includes communication tools, a file structure, workbenches and project management tools used by the buyer and seller for facilitating the setup, development and release of one or more services.
91 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method, comprising:
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establishing a database of service providers for providing a predefined service;
receiving a purchase request for the predefined service from a buyer;
assigning the purchase request to a service provider in the database; and
returning a deliverable from the service provider to the buyer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. In a computer system, an apparatus used by a buyer for purchasing predefined services over a network, comprising:
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a web server for connecting to the network;
a storefront service module connected to the web server for obtaining information for completing a service request from the buyer, sending the information to one of a set of service providers, receiving a deliverable from the service provider, and sending the deliverable to the buyer; and
a database connected to the storefront service module for storing availability information for the set of service providers.
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Specification