VIRTUAL BUSINESS RESTRUCTURING METHODS

• US 20070129962A1
• Filed: 01/12/2007
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Skibinski, Jay, Festa, Phil, Seery, Shaun, Greiner, David
• Application Number:
  US11/622,817
• Publication Number:
  US 20070129962A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

Virtual restructuring methods according to the present invention provide a mechanism for a diversified company or a joint business enterprise encompassing a plurality of business units having a degree of autonomy over their business operations, and having their own business methods and legacy information systems, to nevertheless reach customers as a virtual intergraded entity, through a common portal and a single user interface.

Claims

1. A method for initiating and completing an e-business transaction over a network between a customer and a plurality of business units of a diversified company, each business unit associated with a corresponding information system, the customer being identified by a set of customer-specific information, the method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a common on-line portal for the plurality of business units, the common on-line portal comprising a single user interface for conducting e-business with the plurality of business units;

b. receiving from the customer via the single user interface a communication directed to a first of the plurality of business units of the diversified company having a first associated information system;

c. as a function of the identity of the first business unit, and of at least a subset of the set of customer-specific information, selecting a second of the plurality of business units;

d. querying the information system associated with the second of the plurality of business unit, the information system associated with the second business unit differing from the information system associated with the first business unit;

e. retrieving data from the information system associated with the second business unit; and

f. transmitting a message to the customer, the message based on the data retrieved from the information system associated with the second business unit;

whereby the customer may direct requests to at least two business units electronically via the common on-line portal.

2. A method for initiating and completing an e-business transaction over a network between a customer and a plurality of business entities of a joint business enterprise, each business unit associated with a corresponding information system, the customer being identified by a set of customer-specific information, the method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a common on-line portal for the plurality of business entities, the common on-line portal comprising a single user interface for conducting e-business with the plurality of business entities;

b. receiving from the customer via the single user interface a communication directed to a first of the plurality of business entities of the joint business enterprise;

c. as a function of the identity of the first business entity, and of at least a subset of the set of customer-specific information, selecting a second of the plurality of business entities;

d. querying the information system associated with the second of the plurality of business entities, the information system associated with the second business entity differing from the information system associated with the first business entity;

e. retrieving data from the information system associated with the second business entity; and

f. transmitting a message to the customer, the message based on the data retrieved from the information system associated with the second business entity;

whereby the customer may direct requests to at least two business entities electronically via the common on-line portal.