Method for buy-side bid management

• US 20030014326A1
• Filed: 06/06/2002
• Published: 01/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Webango Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Webango Incorporated
• Inventors: Goraly, Avraham, Ben-Meir, Eytan
• Application Number:
  US10/165,491
• Publication Number:
  US 20030014326A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0611 Request for offers or quotes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

A web-based enterprise application system facilitates strategic e-sourcing for both buyers and vendors. The system provides automation capabilities in both strategic partner selection (providing buyers and vendors with the tools necessary to choose the most suitable long-term business partner or partners) and strategic partner management (providing buyers and vendors with tools and content to build and maintain long-term value-added business relationships). For the former, the system provides an RFP management platform that helps buyers to manage the RFI/RFP process from requirement definition to negotiation and a counterpart proposal management platform that helps vendors to respond to requests for information and proposals by providing them with a flexible, accurate and intuitive online framework. For the latter, the system provides a contract management platform which helps buyers and vendors to build and maintain contracts to further long-term value-added business relationships.

Claims

1. A method for making a purchase from a vendor using a computer connected to a computer network, the method comprising:

using the computer to generate a bid solicitation to be provided to a plurality of vendors via the network;

using the computer to provide the bid solicitation to the plurality of vendors over the network;

receiving bids from the vendors over the computer network;

generating an evaluation of each vendor bid using the computer;

using the computer to choose a vendor with which to contract based on the evaluations; and

generating a contract for that vendor using the computer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the bid solicitation includes using the computer to:

define a structure of the bid solicitation; and

define at least one of bid solicitation requirements and their weights, types of responses considered appropriate for each requirement, and preliminary scores to such responses.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the bid solicitation includes using the computer to:

delegate definition of at least a part of the bid solicitation structure to at least one additional bid solicitor; and

receive delegated definitions for the delegated part of the bid solicitation structure.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the bid solicitation to the plurality of vendors includes withholding a portion of the bid solicitation from at least one vendor.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein generating an evaluation of each vendor bid includes:

delegating evaluation

of at least a part of a vendor bid to at least one additional bid solicitor; and

receiving delegated evaluations for the delegated part of the bids.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein generating an evaluation of each vendor bid further includes creating a consensus evaluation weighting individual evaluations.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein generating an evaluation of each vendor bid includes using the network to communicate with a vendor'"'"'s computer regarding an unclear portion of the vendor'"'"'s bid.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein choosing a vendor with which to contract based on the evaluations includes:

determining a subset of bidding vendors; and

using the network to conduct an auction for the contract amongst the subset.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the computer to conduct an analysis of bid evaluation results.