INCREASED VISIBILITY DURING ORDER MANAGEMENT IN A NETWORK-BASED SUPPLY CHAIN ENVIRONMENT

• US 20140222610A1
• Filed: 02/07/2014
• Published: 08/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Original Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Inventors: Mikurak, Michael G.
• Granted Patent: US 10,013,705 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26.5
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0256 User search
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 Hotels or restaurants

Abstract

A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for a first business entity to provide a network-based supply chain framework for collaborative order management between at least a second and a third independent business entity, such as a service provider, vendor, reseller, manufacturer and the like. A request for an order is received over a network with an automated system, from at least a second business entity. The order is transmitted over a network, with an automated system, to at least the third business entity. Information is received from the third business entity relating to a status of completion of the order by the third business entity using a network. The progress in completing the order is tracked based on the information received from the third business entity. Progress reports from the tracking are generated periodically; and transmitted to the second business entity using the network.

Claims

1-23. -23. (canceled)

24. A system for order management in a network-based supply chain framework, comprising:

a processor connected to an electronic communications network and a display; and

a memory having instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising;

(a) displaying, using the processor, information of a first offering, wherein the information of the offering includes at least one of offering specifications, images of the offering and availability of the offering in inventory;

(b) providing, using the processor through the electronic communications network, a search mechanism for searching for additional offerings similar to the first offering;

(c) suggesting, using the processor through the electronic communications network, the additional offerings similar to the first offering; and

(d) receiving, using the processor through the electronic communications network, a selection for purchase of at least one offering from the group of the first offering and the additional offerings.

25. A system as recited in claim 24, wherein the method further comprises:

providing, using the processor through the electronic communications network, a downloadable sample of the offering.

26. A system as recited in claim 24, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving, using the processor through the electronic communications network, a user-created customization of the first offering.

27. A system as recited in claim 24, wherein the method further comprises:

evaluating, using the processor, at least one of compatibility and equivalence of the first offering with the additional offerings similar to the first offering.

28. A system as recited in claim 24, wherein the method further comprises:

generating, using the processor, a price of the first offering or the additional offerings similar to the first offering based on at least one of a user profile, a user type, and a geographic location.

29. A system as recited in claim 24, wherein the method further comprises:

generating, using the processor through the electronic communications network, one or more of a special offering and a sale of the first offering or the additional offerings similar to the first offering for a user based on at least one of a user profile, a user type, and a geographic location.

30-40. -40. (canceled)

41. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions which, when executed on a processor, perform a method for order management in a network-based supply chain framework, comprising:

(a) displaying information of a first offering, wherein the information of the offering includes at least one of offering specifications, images of the offering and availability of the offering in inventory;

(b) using the network to provide a search mechanism for searching for additional offerings similar to the first offering;

(c) using the network to suggest the additional offerings similar to the first offering; and

(d) using the network to allow selection for purchase of at least one offering from the group of the first offering and the additional offerings.

42. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 41, wherein the method further comprises:

providing a downloadable sample of the offering.

43. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 41, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a user-created customization of the first offering.

44. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 41, wherein the method further comprises:

evaluating at least one of compatibility and equivalence of the first offering with the additional offerings similar to the first offering.

45. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 41, wherein the method further comprises:

generating a price of the first offering or the additional offerings similar to the first offering based on at least one of a user profile, a user type, and a geographic location.

46. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 41, wherein the method further comprises:

generating one or more of a special offering and a sale of the first offering or the additional offerings similar to the first offering for a user based on at least one of a user profile, a user type, and a geographic location.

47-51. -51. (canceled)