System, method and computer program product for contract consistency in a supply chain management framework

• US 20030083918A1
• Filed: 03/23/2001
• Published: 05/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Restaurant Services Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Restaurant Services Incorporated
• Inventors: Greene, Edward Arthur, Tomas-Flynn, Martha Helen, Hoffman, George Harry, Reece, Debra Gayle, Burk, Michael James
• Granted Patent: US 7,039,606 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0619 Neutral agent
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/188 Electronic negotiation

Abstract

A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for handling contracts in a supply chain management framework. One of a plurality of contracts is selected. The selected contract template is transmitted to a supply chain participant. Data is received from supply chain participants utilizing a network. This data relates to the sale of products by the supply chain participants. The contract templates are then enforced in accordance with the data.

Claims

1. A method for handling contracts in a supply chain management framework, comprising:

a) selecting one of a plurality of contracts;

b) transmitting the selected contract template to a supply chain participant;

c) receiving data from supply chain participants utilizing a network, the data relating to the sale of products by the supply chain participants; and

d) enforcing the contract templates in accordance with the data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the contract templates compliment each other.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein each contract template includes portions to be filled out by the supply chain participants.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected contract template is transmitted to the supply chain participant utilizing the network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the network includes the Internet.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein an indication of acceptance of the contract is received from the supply chain participant.

7. A system for handling contracts in a supply chain management framework, comprising:

a) logic for selecting one of a plurality of contracts;

b) logic for transmitting the selected contract template to a supply chain participant;

c) logic for receiving data from supply chain participants utilizing a network, the data relating to the sale of products by the supply chain participants; and

d) logic for enforcing the contract templates in accordance with the data.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the contract templates compliment each other.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein each contract template includes portions to be filled out by the supply chain participants.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the selected contract template is transmitted to the supply chain participant utilizing the network.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the network includes the Internet.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein an indication of acceptance of the contract is received from the distributor.

13. A computer program product for handling contracts in a supply chain management framework, comprising:

a) computer code for selecting one of a plurality of contracts;

b) computer code for transmitting the selected contract template to a supply chain participant;

c) computer code for receiving data from supply chain participants utilizing a network, the data relating to the sale of products by the supply chain participants; and

d) computer code for enforcing the contract templates in accordance with the data.

14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the contract templates compliment each other.

15. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein each contract template includes portions to be filled out by the supply chain participants.

16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the selected contract template is transmitted to the supply chain participant utilizing the network.

17. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the network includes the Internet.

18. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein an indication of acceptance of the contract is received from the supply chain participant.