Method of hosting digital businesses
First Claim
1. A method for providing electronic business functions for a business client, the method comprising:
- providing, on a data processing system, first level services for a first business client;
providing, on the data processing system, second level services for the first business client; and
facilitating a transaction between the first business client and a third party business on behalf of the first business clients wherein the parameters defining the bounds in which the transaction takes place are determined by the first business client.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, system, and computer program product for providing electronic business functions for a business client is provided. In one embodiment, a host provides, on a data processing system, first level and second level services for several business clients. The first level services may include such features as storage, network connectivity, web hosting, and processing power. The second level services may include software designed to meet the specific needs of the business clients and may include such functionality as accounting services, inventory management services, price determination services, product and service ordering services, and negotiating services. The host may facilitate transactions between one business client and another business client on behalf of the clients by identifying needs of one business client and identifying the capability of another business client to fulfill those needs. The host automatically completes the electronic portions of the transaction including ordering the item, updating inventory records, completing payment for the item (including updating accounting records), and arranging for and monitoring shipping, if necessary.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method for providing electronic business functions for a business client, the method comprising:
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providing, on a data processing system, first level services for a first business client;
providing, on the data processing system, second level services for the first business client; and
facilitating a transaction between the first business client and a third party business on behalf of the first business clients wherein the parameters defining the bounds in which the transaction takes place are determined by the first business client. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer program product in a computer readable media for use in a data processing system for providing electronic business functions for a business client, the computer program product comprising:
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first instructions for providing, on a data processing system, first level services for a first business client;
second instructions for providing, on the data processing system, second level services for the first business client; and
third instructions for facilitating a transaction between the first business client and a third party business on behalf of the first business clients wherein the parameters defining the bounds in which the transaction takes place are determined by the first business client. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for providing electronic business functions for a business client, the system comprising:
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a first service component which provides, on a data processing system, first level services for a first business client;
a second service component which provides, on the data processing system, second level services for the first business client; and
a transaction facilitating unit which facilitates a transaction between the first business client and a third party business on behalf of the first business clients wherein the parameters defining the bounds in which the transaction takes place are determined by the first business client. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method in a data processing system for facilitating business transactions, the method comprising:
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hosting electronic business functions for a plurality of business clients;
identifying a need for a first business client based upon parameters received from the first business client;
determining a second business client, based on the parameters, capable of meeting the need of the first business client;
arranging for the second business client to perform a function fulfilling the first business client'"'"'s need;
adjusting inventories, as necessary, of the first and the second business client; and
adjusting accounts of the first and the second business client to reflect payment for the item by the first business client to the second business client. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A computer program product in a computer readable media for use in a data processing system for facilitating business transactions, the method comprising:
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first instructions for hosting electronic business functions for a plurality of business clients;
second instructions for identifying a need for a first business client based upon parameters received from the first business client;
third instructions for determining a second business client, based on the parameters, capable of meeting the need of the first business client;
fourth instructions for arranging for the second business client to perform a function fulfilling the first business client'"'"'s need;
fifth instructions for adjusting inventories of the first and the second business client; and
sixth instructions for adjusting accounts of the first and the second business client to reflect payment for the item by the first business client to the second business client.
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37. A system in a data processing system for facilitating business transactions, the method comprising:
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a hosting unit which hosts electronic business functions for a plurality of business clients;
a need identification unit which identifies a need for a first business client based upon parameters received from the first business client;
a vendor identification unit which determines a second business client, based on the parameters, capable of meeting the need of the first business client;
a transaction agent which arranges for the second business client to perform a function fulfilling the first business client'"'"'s need;
an inventory monitoring unit which adjusts inventories of the first and the second business client; and
an accounting unit which adjusts accounts of the first and the second business client to reflect payment for the item by the first business client to the second business client.
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Specification