AUTOMATED DIRECT MAIL PROCUREMENT SYSTEM

• US 20100268567A1
• Filed: 04/21/2009
• Published: 10/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Flusser, Lawrence, Engle, Brian, Quackenbush, James L., Snow, Lewis S., Khachatrian, Arazik
• Granted Patent: US 8,341,000 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0633 Workflow analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A machine-implemented method receives job specifications for at least one direct mail printing job from at least one user and creates at least one workflow related to the direct mail printing job. The workflow comprises at least one job activity. The method automatically transmits requests for bids on the job activities to entities for allowing the entities to bid on performing job activities within the workflow. Bids are received on the job activities from the entities and from rate cards previously established by the entities. The method identifies the lowest bids on an individual job activity-by job activity basis from the bids received from the entities and the rate cards and outputs the lowest bids to the user. The method receives an identification of a single selected entity to perform all activities within the workflow from the user and performing the workflow to output the direct-mail printing job through the selected entity.

Claims

1. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving job specifications for at least one direct mail printing job from at least one user;

automatically, using said computerized machine, creating at least one workflow related to said direct mail printing job, said workflow comprising at least one job activity;

automatically, using said computerized machine, transmitting requests for bids on said job activities to entities for allowing said entities to bid on performing job activities within said workflow;

receiving bids on said job activities from said entities and from rate cards previously established by said entities;

automatically, using said computerized machine, identifying lowest bids on an individual job activity-by job activity basis from said bids received from said entities and said rate cards;

automatically, using said computerized machine, outputting said lowest bids to said user;

receiving, through said computerized machine, an identification of a single selected entity to perform all activities within said workflow from said user; and

performing said workflow to output said direct-mail printing job through said selected entity.

2. The method according to claim 1, said workflow comprising at least one of form workflow, list processing workflow, personalization workflow, finishing workflow, mail preparation workflow and open item workflow.

3. The method according to claim 2, said form workflow comprising at least one of prepress activities, press activities, inline operation activities, ink supply activities, and paper supply activities.

4. The method according to claim 2, said list processing workflow comprising at least one of list processing setup activities, file preparation activities, file manipulation activities, postal pre-sorting activities, suppression activities, processing and output activities, custom programming activities, and electronic output activities.

5. The method according to claim 2, said personalization workflow comprising at least one of personalization preparation activities, image digitalization activities, text preparation activities, personalization proofing activities, ink jet imaging activities, laser imaging activities, scitex imaging activities.

6. The method according to claim 2, said finishing workflow comprising at least one of burst/trim/folding activities, inserting activities, stacking activities, card affixing activities, cut sheet folding activities, cut sheet trimming activities, gluing activities, die cutting activities, die manufacture activities, match mailing activities, packed proofing activities, labeling activities, mailing security activities, spoils recovery activities.

7. The method according to claim 2, said mail preparation workflow comprising at least one of sorting activities, postage affixing activities, and electronic production activities.

8. A machine-implemented method comprising:

receiving job specifications for at least one direct mail printing job from at least one user;

automatically, using said computerized machine, creating at least one workflow related to said direct mail printing job, said workflow comprising at least one job activity;

automatically, using said computerized machine, transmitting requests for bids on said job activities to entities for allowing said entities to bid on performing job activities within said workflow;

receiving bids on said job activities from said entities and from rate cards previously established by said entities;

receiving user bid selection and identifying lowest bids on an individual job activity-by job activity basis from said bids received from said entities and said rate cards;

automatically, using said computerized machine, outputting said lowest bids to said user;

receiving workflow modification input from said user in response to said overall estimate for said campaign;

modifying said workflow according to said workflow modification input and repeating said transmitting of requests for bids, said receiving of said bids, and said outputting of said lowest bids through at least one iteration;

receiving, through said computerized machine, an identification of a single selected entity to perform all activities within said workflow from said user; and

performing said workflow to output said direct-mail printing job through said selected entity.

9. The method according to claim 8, said workflow comprising at least one of form workflow, list processing workflow, personalization workflow, finishing workflow, mail preparation workflow and open item workflow.

10. The method according to claim 9, said form workflow comprising at least one of prepress activities, press activities, inline operation activities, ink supply activities, and paper supply activities.

11. The method according to claim 9, said list processing workflow comprising at least one of list processing setup activities, file preparation activities, file manipulation activities, postal pre-sorting activities, suppression activities, processing and output activities, custom programming activities, and electronic output activities.

12. The method according to claim 9, said personalization workflow comprising at least one of personalization preparation activities, image digitalization activities, text preparation activities, personalization proofing activities, ink jet imaging activities, laser imaging activities, scitex imaging activities.

13. The method according to claim 9, said finishing workflow comprising at least one of burst/trim/folding activities, inserting activities, stacking activities, card affixing activities, cut sheet folding activities, cut sheet trimming activities, gluing activities, die cutting activities, die manufacture activities, match mailing activities, packed proofing activities, labeling activities, mailing security activities, spoils recovery activities.

14. The method according to claim 9, said mail preparation workflow comprising at least one of sorting activities, postage affixing activities, and electronic production activities.

15. An apparatus comprising:

a computer storage media storing instructions;

a processor operatively connected to said computer storage media, said processor performing said instructions;

a graphic user interface operatively connected to said processor, said graphic user interface receiving job specifications for at least one direct mail printing job from at least one user, said processor automatically creating at least one workflow related to said direct mail printing job, said workflow comprising at least one job activity; and

an input-output operatively connected to said processor, said input-output automatically transmitting requests for bids on said job activities to entities for allowing said entities to bid on performing job activities within said workflow, said input-output receiving bids on said job activities from said entities and from rate cards previously established by said entities,

said processor automatically identifying lowest bids on an individual job activity-by job activity basis from said bids received from said entities and said rate cards,

said processor automatically outputting said lowest bids to said user,

said graphic user interface receiving an identification of a single selected entity to perform all activities within said workflow from said user, and

said processor performing said workflow to output said direct-mail printing job through said selected entity.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, said workflow comprising at least one of form workflow, list processing workflow, personalization workflow, mail preparation workflow and open item workflow.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, said form workflow comprising at least one of prepress activities, press activities, inline operation activities, ink supply activities, and paper supply activities.

18. The apparatus according to claim 16, said list processing workflow comprising at least one of list processing setup activities, file preparation activities, file manipulation activities, postal pre-sorting activities, suppression activities, processing and output activities, custom programming activities, and electronic output activities.

19. The apparatus according to claim 16, said personalization workflow comprising at least one of personalization preparation activities, image digitalization activities, text preparation activities, personalization proofing activities, ink jet imaging activities, laser imaging activities, scitex imaging activities.

20. The apparatus according to claim 16, said finishing workflow comprising at least one of burst/trim/folding activities, inserting activities, stacking activities, card affixing activities, cut sheet folding activities, cut sheet trimming activities, gluing activities, die cutting activities, die manufacture activities, match mailing activities, packed proofing activities, labeling activities, mailing security activities, spoils recovery activities.

21. The apparatus according to claim 16, said mail preparation workflow comprising at least one of, sorting activities, postage affixing activities, and electronic production activities.

22. An apparatus comprising:

a computer storage media storing instructions;

a processor operatively connected to said computer storage media, said processor performing said instructions;

a graphic user interface operatively connected to said processor, said graphic user interface receiving job specifications for at least one direct mail printing job from at least one user, said processor automatically creating at least one workflow related to said direct mail printing job, said workflow comprising at least one job activity; and

an input-output operatively connected to said processor, said input-output automatically transmitting requests for bids on said job activities to entities for allowing said entities to bid on performing job activities within said workflow, said input-output receiving bids on said job activities from said entities and from rate cards previously established by said entities,

said graphic user interface receiving user bid selection and identifying lowest bids on an individual job activity-by job activity basis from said bids received from said entities and said rate cards,

said processor automatically outputting said lowest bids to said user,

said graphic user interface receiving workflow modification input from said user in response to said overall estimate for said campaign,

said processor modifying said workflow according to said workflow modification input and repeating said transmitting of requests for bids, said receiving of said bids, and said outputting of said lowest bids through at least one iteration,

said graphic user interface receiving, through said computerized machine, an identification of a single selected entity to perform all activities within said workflow from said user, and

said processor performing said workflow to output, through said input-output, said direct-mail printing job through said selected entity.