Method of and system for consultant re-seller business information transfer

• US 20050262008A1
• Filed: 03/02/2005
• Published: 11/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IQNavigator Incorporated
• Original Assignee: IQNavigator Incorporated
• Inventors: Cullen, Andrew A. III, Shaw, Steven A., Zilberman, Leonid
• Granted Patent: US 9,020,884 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/37
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• 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 computer system for storing of business information to be transferred from a consultant to a buyer includes a database system for maintaining configurable business information organized into a plurality of information components and a server connected to the database system and connectable to the buyer and the consultant. The server is operable to receive a selection of an information component and configure the information component in accordance with consultant instructions. The configuration includes establishing a data value library and creating an information setting the server is operable to integrate the information setting into at least one work flow entity and integrate the at least one work flow entity into a process design. This Abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an Abstract that allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain subject matter of the technical disclosure. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Claims

1. A computer system for storing of business information to be transferred from a consultant to a buyer, the computer system comprising:

a database system for maintaining configurable business information organized into a plurality of information components;

a server connected to the database system and connectable to the buyer and the consultant; and

wherein the server is operable to;

receive a selection of an information component;

configure the information component in accordance with consultant instructions, wherein the configuration comprises establishing a data value library and creating an information setting;

integrate the information setting into at least one work flow entity; and

integrate the at least one work flow entity into a process design.

2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the server is operable, in configuring the information component in accordance with consultant instructions, to:

create a new data object;

create a new value of an existing data object;

save the new object and the existing data object to the database system; and

create an information component association.

3. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the server is operable, in integrating the information setting into at least one work flow entity, to perform at least one of:

integrating the configured information setting into at least one unmodified pre-existing system-inherent work flow entity;

integrating the configured information setting into at least one modified system-inherent work flow entity; and

integrating the configured information setting into at least one added non-system-inherent work flow entity.

4. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the server is operable, in integrating the at least one work flow entity into a process design, to:

receive a selection of at least one work flow entity;

receive a selection of at least one user role/permission;

receive specification of number of primary process legs;

receive process-leg specifications; and

store work flow process settings in the database system.

5. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the server is operable to establish the business information for sale.

6. The computer system of claim 5, wherein the server is operable, in establishing the business information for sale, to associate a stored business information setting with a price list entry.

7. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of information components comprise at least one of:

a configuration element; and

a configuration sub-element.

8. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of information components are organized into at least one configuration module, the at least one configuration module comprising at least one of:

a master data configuration module;

a commodity configuration module;

a supplier configuration module;

a human capital management configuration module;

a collateral data configuration module;

a work flow entity configuration module;

an RFx configuration module;

a requisition/purchase order configuration module;

a bill pay request voucher process configuration module;

a financial processing configuration module;

an information system configuration module; and

an aggregations/solutions configuration module.

9. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the server is operable, in integrating the information setting into at least one work flow entity, to put the information setting onto a user interface.

10. A method of storing of business information to be transferred from a consultant to a buyer, the method comprising:

receiving a selection of an information component;

configuring the information component in accordance with consultant instructions;

wherein the step of configuring comprises establishing a data value library and creating an information setting;

integrating the information setting into at least one work flow entity; and

integrating the at least one work flow entity into a process design.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of configuring the information component in accordance with consultant instructions comprises:

creating a new data object;

creating a new value of an existing data object;

saving the new object and the existing data object to the database system; and

creating an information component association.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of integrating the information setting into at least one work flow entity comprises:

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of integrating the at least one work flow entity into a process design comprises:

receive a selection of at least one work flow entity;

receive a selection of at least one user role/permission;

receive specification of number of primary process legs;

receive process-leg specifications; and

store work flow process settings in the database system.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising establishing the business information for sale.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of establishing the business information for sale comprises associating a stored business information setting with a price list entry.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of information components comprise at least one of:

a configuration element; and

a configuration sub-element.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of information components are organized into at least one configuration module, the at least one configuration module comprising at least one of:

a master data configuration module;

a commodity configuration module;

a supplier configuration module;

a human capital management configuration module;

a collateral data configuration module;

a work flow entity configuration module;

an RFx configuration module;

a requisition/purchase order configuration module;

a bill pay request voucher process configuration module;

a financial processing configuration module;

an information system configuration module; and

an aggregations/solutions configuration module.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of integrating the information setting into at least one work flow entity comprises putting the information setting onto a user interface.

19. A computer system for facilitating transfer of business information in the form of configuration settings from a consultant to a buyer, the computer system comprising:

a database system for storing the business information to be transferred;

a server connected to the database system and connectable to the buyer and the consultant; and

wherein the server is operable to;

receive a buyer request for transfer of previously-defined consultant configuration settings;

perform a component-framework comparison between a buyer environment and a consultant environment; and

responsive to a determination that the buyer environment supports the configuration settings, transfer at least one of configuration-setting object and a configuration- setting value to the buyer environment.

20. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the server is operable to:

determine whether the transfer was successful; and

responsive to a determination that the transfer was successful, provide a message to the buyer indicating that the requested configuration settings have been transferred.

21. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the server is operable to:

determine whether the transfer was successful; and

responsive to a determination that the transfer was not successful;

provide a message to the buyer indicating that the requested configuration settings have not been transferred; and

provide a message to an administrator regarding transfer failure.

22. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the server is operable to:

provide to the buyer a control enabling configuration-setting modification;

provide to the buyer a control to synchronize the transferred configuration settings with the buyer environment;

perform at least one of relationship, data integrity, and work flow analyses; and

provide to the buyer information relative to the performed analyses.

23. The computer system of claim 22, wherein the server is operable to:

receive input from the buyer indicating whether buyer intervention is necessary responsive to the performed analyses; and

responsive to a determination that buyer intervention is necessary, provide an option to the buyer to complete settings configuration.

24. The computer system of claim 23, wherein the server is operable to, responsive to a determination that buyer intervention is necessary:

receive buyer inputs relative to reconciliation of settings conflicts; and

save buyer inputs.

25. The computer system of claim 24, wherein the server is operable to:

receive input from the buyer indicating whether buyer intervention is necessary responsive to the performed analyses; and

responsive to a determination that buyer intervention is not necessary, provide an option to the buyer to activate the transferred configuration settings.

26. A method for facilitating transfer of business information in the form of configuration settings from a consultant to a buyer, the method comprising:

receiving a buyer request for transfer of previously-defined consultant configuration settings;

performing a component-framework comparison between a buyer environment and a consultant environment; and

responsive to a determination that the buyer environment supports the configuration settings, transferring at least one of configuration-setting object and a configuration-setting value to the buyer environment.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

determining whether the transfer was successful; and

responsive to a determination that the transfer was successful, providing a message to the buyer indicating that the requested configuration settings have been transferred.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

determining whether the transfer was successful; and

responsive to a determination that the transfer was not successful;

providing a message to the buyer indicating that the requested configuration settings have not been transferred; and

providing a message to an administrator regarding transfer failure.

29. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

providing to the buyer a control enabling configuration-setting modification;

providing to the buyer a control to synchronize the transferred configuration settings with the buyer environment;

performing at least one of relationship, data integrity, and work flow analyses; and

providing to the buyer information relative to the performed analyses.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

receiving input from the buyer indicating whether buyer intervention is necessary responsive to the performed analyses; and

responsive to a determination that buyer intervention is necessary, providing an option to the buyer to complete settings configuration.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising, responsive to a determination that buyer intervention is necessary:

receiving buyer inputs relative to reconciliation of settings conflicts; and

saving buyer inputs.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

receiving input from the buyer indicating whether buyer intervention is necessary responsive to the performed analyses; and

responsive to a determination that buyer intervention is not necessary, providing an option to the buyer to activate the transferred configuration settings.

33. A computer system for facilitating transfer of business information from a consultant to a buyer, the computer system comprising:

a computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored therein; and

a processor connected to the computer readable storage medium to execute the instructions to implement at least one of the following in accordance with services to be provided by the consultant to the buyer;

master data configurations;

commodity configurations;

supplier chain configurations;

human capital management configurations;

collateral data configurations;

work flow entity configurations;

RFx configurations;

purchase order/requisition configurations;

voucher process configurations;

financial processing configurations; and

information system configurations.

34. The computer system of claim 33, wherein the processor is connected to the computer readable storage medium to execute the instructions to receive consultant system activation requests and to enable the consultant in the computer system.

35. The computer system of claim 33, wherein the processor is connected to the computer readable storage medium to execute the instructions to enable the buyer to engage a consultant for product or professional services.

36. The computer system of claim 35, wherein the processor is connected to the computer readable storage medium to execute the instructions to:

permit the buyer to access consultant information;

permit the buyer to query consultant information to find applicable consultants;

permit the buyer to request a consultant call;

permit the buyer to request services provision from the consultant in the form of an offer;

permit the consultant to make a disposition regarding the buyer'"'"'s offer; and

provide to the buyer disposition status of the offer.

37. The computer system of claim 33, wherein the processor is connected to the computer readable storage medium to execute the instructions to:

permit the buyer to access records associated with consultant offer acceptance;

permit the buyer to create a purchase requisition for anticipated consultant services;

permit the buyer to submit a purchase requisition to the consultant for review or acceptance;

permit the consultant to validate purchase requisition accuracy;

permit the consultant to complete applicable taxation assessment relative to the buyer purchase requisition;

permit the consultant to accept validated and tax assessed purchase requisition terms;

permit the buyer to receive purchase requisition disposition status;

permit the buyer to create a purchase order with reference to the consultant-accepted purchase requisition;

permit the buyer can make disposition regarding the created purchase order; and

issuing the buyer purchase order and a consultant purchase order.

38. The computer system of claim 33, wherein the processor is connected to the computer readable storage medium to execute the instructions to:

permit the consultant to create a purchase-order-constrained billing voucher;

permit the consultant to submit a completed voucher to the buyer;

permit the buyer to access a consultant voucher;

permit the buyer to make disposition regarding the consultant voucher;

permit the buyer to make a quality assessment regarding consultant services;

extract buyer-approved consultant voucher data;

store approved voucher data in a billing file as configured by the buyer; and

transmit a billing file to the buyer for processing.

39. A method of enabling transfer of business information from a consultant to a buyer, the method comprising:

permitting access by a consultant to a transfer environment;

receiving business qualification information inputs from the consultant;

performing a consultant business qualification assessment;

executing a consultant agreement process; and

granting, to the consultant, of selective access to transfer-environment applications.

40. A computer system for enabling transfer of business information from a consultant to a buyer, the computer system comprising:

a database system;

a server connected to the database system and connectable to the buyer and the consultant; and

wherein the server is operable to;

permit access by a consultant to a transfer environment;

receive business qualification information inputs from the consultant;

perform a consultant business qualification assessment;

execute a consultant agreement process; and

grant, to the consultant, of selective access to transfer-environment applications.

41. A computer system for creating a consultant profile to be used in connection with business information transfer from a consultant to a buyer, the computer system comprising:

a computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored therein; and

a processor connected to the computer readable storage medium to execute the instructions to;

receive general data regarding consultant employees;

create a skill profile regarding consultant employees;

create a commodity profile regarding consultant employees;

create a geographic sales profile regarding consultant employees;

receive a request for professional services designation/qualification regarding consultant employees;

perform consultant professional services certification; and

facilitate establishment of consultant professional services pricing.

42. The computer system of claim 41, wherein the skill profile is created via a standard skill profiling interface.

43. The computer system of claim 41, wherein the processor is connected to the computer readable storage medium to execute the instructions to:

receive a selection of a desired bundle of professional services;

save settings relative to the desired bundle of professional services;

administer a consultant certification test; and

notify the consultant regarding certification-test results.

44. The computer system of claim 41, wherein the processor is connected to the computer readable storage medium to execute the instructions to:

receive a selection of applicable professional services for establishment of pricing;

receive a selection of desired delivery types;

receive applicable pricing input; and

store an applicable pricing list.

45. A method of creating a consultant profile to be used in connection with business information transfer from a consultant to a buyer, the method comprising:

receiving general data regarding consultant employees;

creating a skill profile regarding consultant employees;

creating a commodity profile regarding consultant employees;

creating a geographic sales profile regarding consultant employees;

receiving a request for professional services designation/qualification regarding consultant employees;

performing consultant professional services certification; and

facilitating establishment of consultant professional services pricing.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the step of creating the skill profile is performed via a standard skill profiling interface.

47. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

receiving a selection of a desired bundle of professional services;

saving settings relative to the desired bundle of professional services;

administering a consultant certification test; and

notifying the consultant regarding certification-test results.

48. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

receiving a selection of applicable professional services for establishment of pricing;

receiving a selection of desired delivery types;

receiving applicable pricing input; and

storing an applicable pricing list.

49. A computer system for facilitating transfer of business information from a consultant to a buyer, the computer system comprising:

a computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored therein; and

a processor connected to the computer readable storage medium to execute the instructions to;

permit the consultant to build configuration settings within an environment of the buyer;

permit the consultant to build configuration settings within an environment independent of the buyer environment; and

permit the consultant to build configuration elements.

50. The computer system of claim 49, wherein the processor is connected to the computer readable storage medium to execute the instructions to:

permit the consultant to build work flow entities;

permit the consultant to build process models by combining configuration elements, work flow entities, and as-built process legs; and

permit the consultant to associate configuration settings.

51. The computer system of claim 50, wherein the processor is connected to the computer readable storage medium to execute the instructions to:

permit the buyer to authorize transfer of configurations from a consultant environment to the buyer environment; and

notify the buyer whether configuration settings have been transferred.

52. The computer system of claim 51, wherein the processor is connected to the computer readable storage medium to execute the instructions to:

permit the buyer to synchronize consultant configurations with settings of the buyer environment; and

permit the buyer to intervene and modify/complete settings.

53. The computer system of claim 52, wherein the processor is connected to the computer readable storage medium to execute the instructions to:

send the buyer modified/completed settings to the environment synchronizer; and

permit the buyer to activate consultant settings in the buyer environment.

54. A method for facilitating transfer of business information from a consultant to a buyer, the method comprising:

permitting the consultant to build configuration settings within an environment of the buyer;

permitting the consultant to build configuration settings within an environment independent of

the buyer environment; and

permitting the consultant to build configuration elements.

55. The method of claim 54, further comprising:

permitting the consultant to build work flow entities;

permitting the consultant to build process models by combining configuration elements, work flow entities, and as-built process legs; and

permitting the consultant to associate configuration settings.

56. The method of claim 55, further comprising:

permitting the buyer to authorize transfer of configurations from a consultant environment to the buyer environment; and

notifying the buyer whether configuration settings have been transferred.

57. The method of claim 56, further comprising:

permitting the buyer to synchronize consultant configurations with settings of the buyer environment; and

permitting the buyer to intervene and modify/complete settings as indicated by on environment synchronizer.

58. The method of claim 57, further comprising:

sending the buyer modified/completed settings to the environment synchronizer; and

permitting the buyer to activate consultant settings in the buyer environment.