Computer-Assisted Contract Management System for An Enterprise

• US 20090089132A1
• Filed: 09/28/2007
• Published: 04/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kroger Company
• Original Assignee: Kroger Company
• Inventors: Underwood, Christina, Nallapaty, Murali
• Application Number:
  US11/864,249
• Publication Number:
  US 20090089132A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/105 Human resources
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03

Abstract

A computer-assisted management method for an enterprise including multiple work locations is provided. The method includes creating electronic contracts by associating work rules within the electronic contracts, the work rules governing an employer-employee relationship. The electronic contracts including the work rules are stored in a contract database. The electronic contracts stored in the contract database are provided to one or more system. The employer-employee relationship is managed using the electronic contracts including the work rules.

Claims

1. A computer-assisted management method for an enterprise including multiple work locations, the method comprising:

creating electronic contracts by associating work rules within the electronic contracts, the work rules governing an employer-employee relationship;

storing the electronic contracts including the work rules in a contract database;

providing the electronic contracts stored in the contract database to one or more system; and

managing the employer-employee relationship using the electronic contracts including the work rules.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the work rule is defined by a labor contract.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the work rule is defined by a comp any policy.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more system is a payroll management system, the step of managing the employer-employee relationship comprising administering employee compensation and/or benefits using the electronic contracts including the work rules.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising creating a wage progression rule.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of associating a work rule with the electronic contracts includes creating a status progression rule.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of associating a work rule with the electronic contracts includes creating a paid time off rule.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of associating a work rule with the electronic contracts includes creating a time and attendance rule.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating a report listing data associated with the electronic contracts.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the report is a contract audit log report for viewing details of modifications carried out on the electronic contract including an audit trail of changes to the electronic contract.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising approving the electronic contracts by an approver, wherein a contract administrator creates the electronic contracts, the contract administrator being different from the approver.

12. A computer-assisted management method for an enterprise including multiple work locations, the method comprising:

generating a first task for a contract administrator, the contract administrator creating an electronic contract in response to the first task;

generating a second task for an approver who is different from the contract administrator, the approver approving the electronic contract created by the contract administrator in response to the second task; and

storing the electronic contract in a contract database.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising associating a work rule with the electronic contract and saving the work rule in the contract database.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising testing the work rule by providing the work rule to a peripheral system.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of generating the first task for the contract administrator is performed by a negotiator who is different from the contract administrator and the approver.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising generating a report listing data associated with the electronic contract.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the first task comprises an electronic message to the contract administrator providing an indication that an agreement has been negotiated.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the second task comprises an electronic message to the approver providing an indication that the electronic contract data is ready for approval.

19. A computerized employee management method for an enterprise including multiple locations, comprising:

(a) for a contract;

(i) storing contract data in an electronic contract database thereby generating an electronic contract;

(ii) associating the contract data with an enterprise hierarchy so as to define to which enterprise locations and enterprise employees the contract data apply;

(b) linking the electronic contract database with an employee on-boarding application to facilitate proper classification of new enterprise employees within the applicable electronic contract;

(c) linking the electronic contract database with one or more enterprise payroll systems to facilitate appropriate payroll management for enterprise employees according to the applicable electronic contract.

20. The computerized employee management method of claim 19, further comprising:

(d) linking the electronic contract database with at least one enterprise time and attendance system to provide appropriate time and attendance rules for employees according to the applicable electronic contract.