Method and system for processing and managing referral data

• US 20050043990A1
• Filed: 08/18/2003
• Published: 02/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Powers, Jason Dean
• Application Number:
  US10/642,843
• Publication Number:
  US 20050043990A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.160
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0637 Strategic management or analysis, e.g. setting a goal or target of an organisation; Planning actions based on goals; Analysis or evaluation of effectiveness of goals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0214 Referral reward systems

Abstract

A method and system for processing and managing referral data are disclosed. The system comprises a business rules engine for applying at least one business rule to referral data associated with a business entity. Further, the system has a data store for storing the referral data. Moreover, the system includes a reporting and pattern analyzer for analyzing the referral data and for generating reports about the referral data. Furthermore, the system includes a notification and alert system for generating an alert to the business entity, wherein the alert is based on a plurality of criteria associated with the referral data.

Claims

1. An integrated referral processing and managing system comprising:

a business rules engine for applying at least one business rule to referral data associated with a business entity;

a data store for storing said referral data;

a reporting and pattern analyzer for analyzing said referral data and for generating reports about said referral data; and

a notification and alert system for generating an alert to said business entity, wherein said alert is based on a plurality of criteria associated with said referral data.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a graphical user interface.

3. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said referral data includes referral event data, referrer data, and referree data.

4. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said business rule controls offering a discount voucher.

5. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said criteria includes a minimum referral threshold event, a referral quality threshold event, and a discount voucher qualification alert based on said business rule.

6. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said business entity receives said alert and adjusts a promotion based on said alert.

7. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said referral data arises from business transactions between said business entity and a plurality of customers.

8. A system comprising:

an integrated referral processing and managing system including;

a business rules engine for applying at least one business rule to referral data associated with a business entity;

a data store for storing said referral data;

a reporting and pattern analyzer for analyzing said referral data and for generating reports about said referral data; and

a notification and alert system for generating an alert to said business entity, wherein said alert is based on a plurality of criteria associated with said referral data; and

a business transaction system for generating transaction data including said referral data and for sending said referral data to said integrated referral processing and managing system.

9. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein said integrated referral processing and managing system further comprises a graphical user interface.

10. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein said referral data includes referral event data, referrer data, and referree data.

11. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein said business rule controls offering a discount voucher.

12. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein said criteria includes a minimum referral threshold event, a referral quality threshold event, and a discount voucher qualification alert based on said business rule.

13. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein said business entity receives said alert and adjusts a promotion based on said alert.

14. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein said referral data arises from business transactions between said business entity and a plurality of customers.

15. A method of processing and managing referral data, said method comprising:

receiving said referral data associated with a business entity;

applying at least one business rule to said referral data;

storing said referral data;

analyzing said referral data; and

generating an alert to said business entity, wherein said alert is based on a plurality of criteria associated with said referral data

16. The method as recited in claim 15 wherein said referral data includes referral event data, referrer data, and referree data.

17. The method as recited in claim 15 wherein said business rule controls offering a discount voucher.

18. The method as recited in claim 15 wherein said criteria includes a minimum referral threshold event, a referral quality threshold event, and a discount voucher qualification alert based on said business rule.

19. The method as recited in claim 15 wherein said business entity receives said alert and adjusts a promotion based on said alert.

20. The method as recited in claim 15 wherein said referral data arises from business transactions between said business entity and a plurality of customers.