Web sales channel conflict resolution system
First Claim
1. A method of enabling electronic commerce on a network, the method comprising:
- receiving an order for a product from a remote client system on the network, the order placed by a user of the remote client system;
storing information on the product locally; and
allocating the order to a supplier of the product according to a predefined channel conflict resolution scheme.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer system and method of operation thereof are provided that allow manufacturers and distributors of brand products to participate in the e-commerce marketplace without violating existing distribution channels. This is accomplished by providing a web based system where customers can place orders for brand name products and then allocating orders to manufacturers, distributors and retailers according to distribution channel protocols defined by the manufacturers. This ensures that sales of brand goods and services via the Internet does not violate existing distribution agreements between the manufacturers and their respective distributors and retailers.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method of enabling electronic commerce on a network, the method comprising:
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receiving an order for a product from a remote client system on the network, the order placed by a user of the remote client system;
storing information on the product locally; and
allocating the order to a supplier of the product according to a predefined channel conflict resolution scheme. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
verifying that the order has been filled by the supplier to which the order is initially allocated; and
upon determining that the order has not been filled by the supplier to which the order is initially allocated, allocating the order to a new supplier according to a predefined channel conflict resolution scheme.
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7. The method of claim 1, further comprising tracking shipping information about the order.
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8. The method of claim 1, further comprising processing payment information for the order.
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9. A computer-readable storage medium comprising computer instructions for:
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allowing a user of at least one client computer to place an order for a product, wherein information on the product is stored on a server computer; and
allocating the customer order to a supplier according to a predefined channel conflict resolution scheme. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
verifying that the order has been filled by the supplier to which the order is initially allocated; and
upon determining that the order has not been filled by the supplier to which the order is initially allocated, allocating the order to a new supplier according to a predefined channel conflict resolution scheme.
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15. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, further comprising computer instructions for tracking shipping information about the order.
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16. The computer computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, further comprising computer instructions for processing payment information for the order.
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17. A processing system comprising:
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a processor; and
a storage facility coupled to the processor and having stored therein instructions which, when executed by the processor, configure the processing system to;
allow a user of a remote client system to place an order for a product via a network, wherein information on the product is stored in the processing system; and
allocate the order to a supplier according to a predefined channel conflict resolution scheme. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
verify that the order has been filled by the supplier to which the order is initially allocated; and
upon determining that the order has not been filled by the supplier to which the order is initially allocated, allocate the order to a new supplier according to a predefined channel conflict resolution scheme.
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23. The processing system of claim 17, wherein the instructions comprise instructions which, when executed by the processor, configure the processing system to track shipping information about the order.
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24. The processing system of claim 17, wherein the instructions comprise instructions which, when executed by the processor, configure the processing system to process payment information for the order.
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25. An apparatus for enabling electronic commerce on a network, the apparatus comprising:
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means for receiving an order for a product from a remote client system on the network, the order placed by a user of the remote client system; and
means for allocating the order to a supplier of the product according to a predefined channel conflict resolution scheme. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
means for verifying that the order has been filled by the supplier to which the order is initially allocated; and
means for allocating the order to a new supplier according to a predefined channel conflict resolution scheme upon determining that the order has not been filled by the supplier to which the order is initially allocated.
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31. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising means for tracking shipping information about the order.
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32. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising means for processing payment information for the order.
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33. An apparatus for enabling electronic commerce on a network, the apparatus comprising:
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means for receiving an order for a product from a remote client system on the network, the order placed by a user of the remote client system;
means for storing information on the product locally;
means for allocating the order to a supplier of the product according to a predefined channel conflict resolution scheme;
means for automatically processing the order;
means for tracking processing of the order, including means for verifying that the order has been filled by the supplier;
means for allocating the order to a new supplier according to a predefined channel conflict resolution scheme upon determining that the order has not been filled by the supplier; and
means for processing payment information for the order. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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Specification