Method and computer program for the acquisition of capital equipment using web-based purchase pooling
First Claim
1. A method for the acquisition of capital equipment using web-based purchase pooling, comprising:
- storing a default specification for capital equipment in a database;
assigning a plurality of potential buyers to a purchasing pool;
providing access to the default specification via a web-based system in communication with the database to the plurality of potential buyers using client devices over a network, wherein the default specification is associated with the purchasing pool;
receiving, by the web-based system, a plurality of customized specifications based on the default specification from one or more of the plurality of potential buyers via the client devices, wherein the plurality of customized specifications are stored in the database;
determining, by the web-based system, common portions and non-common portions of the plurality of customized specifications based on a comparison of the plurality of customized specifications;
selecting at least one of the non-common portions; and
providing a request for proposal to at least one potential seller of capital equipment, wherein the request for proposal comprises the common portions and the selected non-common portions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, computer program and system are provided for the acquisition of capital equipment using web-based purchase pooling including storing a default specification for capital equipment in a database, assigning a plurality of potential buyers to a purchasing pool, providing access to the default specification via a web-based system in communication with the database to the plurality of potential buyers using client devices over a network, receiving by the web-based system a plurality of customized specifications based on the default specification from one or more of the plurality of potential buyers via the client devices, determining by the web-based system common portions and non-common portions of the plurality of customized specifications based on a comparison of the plurality of customized specifications, selecting at least one of the non-common portions, and providing a request for proposal to at least one potential seller of capital equipment. The default specification is associated with the purchasing pool. The plurality of customized specifications are stored in the database. The request for proposal includes the common portions and the selected non-common portions.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for the acquisition of capital equipment using web-based purchase pooling, comprising:
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storing a default specification for capital equipment in a database; assigning a plurality of potential buyers to a purchasing pool; providing access to the default specification via a web-based system in communication with the database to the plurality of potential buyers using client devices over a network, wherein the default specification is associated with the purchasing pool; receiving, by the web-based system, a plurality of customized specifications based on the default specification from one or more of the plurality of potential buyers via the client devices, wherein the plurality of customized specifications are stored in the database; determining, by the web-based system, common portions and non-common portions of the plurality of customized specifications based on a comparison of the plurality of customized specifications; selecting at least one of the non-common portions; and providing a request for proposal to at least one potential seller of capital equipment, wherein the request for proposal comprises the common portions and the selected non-common portions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A computer program product for the acquisition of capital equipment using web-based purchase pooling, the computer program product comprising:
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a first computer code for storing a default specification for capital equipment in a database; a second computer code for assigning a plurality of potential buyers to a purchasing pool; a third computer code for providing access to the default specification via a web-based system in communication with the database to the plurality of potential buyers using client devices over a network, wherein the default specification is associated with the purchasing pool; a fourth computer code for receiving, by the web-based system, a plurality of customized specifications based on the default specification from one or more of the plurality of potential buyers via the client devices, wherein the plurality of customized specifications are stored in the database; a fifth computer code for determining, by the web-based system, common portions and non-common portions of the plurality of customized specifications based on a comparison of the plurality of customized specifications; a sixth computer code for selecting at least one of the non-common portions; and a seventh computer code for providing a request for proposal to at least one potential seller of capital equipment, wherein the request for proposal comprises the common portions and the selected non-common portions. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A system for the acquisition of capital equipment using web-based purchase pooling, comprising:
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a database configured to store a default specification for capital equipment; a plurality of client devices for use by potential purchasers of capital equipment; and a web-based system in communication with the database and the plurality of client devices, wherein the web-based system is configured to; provide access to the default specification via a web-based system to the plurality of potential buyers using their respective client devices, receive a plurality of customized specifications based on the default specification from one or more of the plurality of potential buyers via their respective client devices, determine common portions and non-common portions of the plurality of customized specifications based on a comparison of the plurality of customized specifications, and provide a request for proposal to at least one potential seller of capital equipment, wherein the request for proposal comprises the common portions and at least one of the non-common portions. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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Specification