System and method for enabling and maintaining vendor qualification
First Claim
1. A computer system for qualifying a vendor for a qualifier, comprising:
- a web server configured to receive vendor qualification information associated with the vendor via a data network;
a database configured to store said vendor qualification information and vendor criteria information associated with the qualifier; and
a qualification tool configured to compare said vendor qualification information to said vendor criteria information to qualify the vendor for the qualifier.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer system and method is disclosed for pre-qualifying vendors for buyers and/or industries using vendor criteria information associated with buyers and/or industries and vendor qualification information associated with vendors. Vendors and buyers enter the vendor qualification information and vendor criteria information, respectively, into a database in a hierarchical and relational manner. The computer system compares entered vendor qualification information to stored vendor criteria information to pre-qualify vendors for buyers and/or industries. The computer system further monitors the stored vendor qualification information and requests updated vendor qualification information from the vendors to maintain vendor qualification on a per industry and/or per buyer basis.
306 Citations
103 Claims
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1. A computer system for qualifying a vendor for a qualifier, comprising:
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a web server configured to receive vendor qualification information associated with the vendor via a data network;
a database configured to store said vendor qualification information and vendor criteria information associated with the qualifier; and
a qualification tool configured to compare said vendor qualification information to said vendor criteria information to qualify the vendor for the qualifier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method for qualifying a vendor for a qualifier, comprising the steps of:
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receiving vendor qualification information associated with the vendor;
storing said vendor qualification information within a database;
storing vendor criteria information associated with the qualifier within said database;
comparing said vendor qualification information with said vendor criteria information to generate compliance information; and
qualifying the vendor for the qualifier based on said compliance information. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68)
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69. A computer system for maintaining qualification of a vendor for a qualifier, comprising:
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a web server configured to receive vendor qualification information associated with the vendor via a data network;
a database configured to store said vendor qualification information and vendor criteria information associated with the qualifier;
means for qualifying the vendor for the qualifier based on said vendor qualification information to said vendor criteria information; and
means for monitoring said vendor qualification information to request updated vendor qualification information from the vendor to maintain qualification of the vendor for the qualifier.
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70. A computer system for creating and maintaining a buyer list of qualified vendors that are qualified to do business with a buyer, comprising:
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a web server configured to receive vendor qualification information associated with the vendor via a data network;
a database configured to store said vendor qualification information and vendor criteria information associated with the buyer;
means for comparing said vendor qualification information to said vendor criteria information to qualify the vendor for the buyer; and
means for adding the vendor to said buyer list when said vendor qualification information matches said vendor criteria information. - View Dependent Claims (71, 72, 73, 74)
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75. A computer system for verifying the qualifications of a vendor for a qualifier, comprising:
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a web server configured to receive vendor qualification information associated with the vendor via a data network;
a database configured to store said vendor qualification information and vendor criteria information associated with the qualifier;
means for verifying said vendor qualification information provided by the vendor; and
means for comparing said verified vendor qualification information to said vendor criteria information to qualify the vendor for the qualifier. - View Dependent Claims (76)
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77. A method for calculating statistical data associated with vendor qualifications, comprising:
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collecting a plurality of qualification data identifying vendor qualification requirements within an industry, each said qualification data including an industry profile and industry-related data;
comparing selected criteria associated with the vendor qualification requirements for said industry with each said industry profile within each said qualification data to determine matching qualification data; and
calculating statistical data related to said industry-related data included within said matching qualification data. - View Dependent Claims (78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88)
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89. A method for providing statistical data associated with vendor qualifications, comprising:
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storing a plurality of industry records within a database, each of said industry records including industry-related vendor criteria information for an industry, each said industry-related vendor criteria information including at least an industry profile identifying the respective industry and industry qualification data identifying vendor qualification requirements within the respective industry;
receiving selected criteria including at least a requested industry profile from a user;
comparing said requested industry profile with each said industry profile within each said industry record to determine a matching one of said industry records; and
providing at least part of said industry qualification data included within said matching industry record to the user. - View Dependent Claims (90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103)
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Specification