Method and system for standardizing and reconciling invoices from vendors

• US 6,381,587 B1
• Filed: 04/02/1998
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Citibank (South Dakota) NA (Citigroup Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Citibank (South Dakota) NA (Citigroup Incorporated)
• Inventors: Guzelsu, H. Isil
• Primary Examiner(s): Stamber, Eric W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Meinecke-Díaz, Susanna
• Application Number:
  US09/054,044
• Time in Patent Office: 1,489 Days
• Field of Search: 705/34, 705/26, 705/27, 705/29, 705/1, 705/25, 705/28, 705/35, 705/37, 705/38, 705/39, 705/40, 705/42, 705/43, 705/44
• US Class Current: 705/40
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing

Abstract

A system for managing requests for services from vendors including a database having contract information for vendors, entitlement information for users and requests for services. The requests are compared with the entitlement information for the requesting user and the contract information for the vendor that supplies the information to determine if the request is approved. If the request is approved, the system generates an associated billing item in the database for the request and the approved request is transmitted to the vendor. The vendor sends an invoice of charges associated with the approved requests which is compared with the associated billing items for the approved requests. Additionally, a method for managing user requests for services from vendors is provided including providing a database for storing contract information for vendors, entitlement information for users and requests for services from a vendor. The method includes generating a request for services from a vendor and transmitting the request to the database. The method compares the request for services to entitlement information for the user and contract information for the vendor, and generates an approved request and an associated billing item in the database. The method includes receiving from the vendor an invoice of charges associated with the approved request and comparing the invoice with the associated billing item for the approved request.

Claims

1. A computer implemented system for managing a plurality of user requests for services provided by vendors, comprising:

a database storing contract information for vendors, entitlement information for users and a plurality of billing items associated with user requests for services provided by a vendor;

means for generating a user request for services provided by a vendor, and for comparing said user request with said entitlement information for said user and said contract information for said vendor to determine if said user request is an approved request;

means for including a billing item associated with said approved request in said database, and means for transmitting said approved request to said vendor;

means for receiving from said vendor an invoice of charges for services associated with a plurality of approved requests including said approved request, and for comparing said invoice with said plurality of billing items including said billing item; and

means for allocating in accordance with said billing item a portion of said invoice to said user generating said approved request;

whereby users receiving services from said vendor are charged an appropriate portion of said invoice in accordance with those services said users received from said vendor.

2. The computer implemented system of claim 1 wherein said invoice of charges includes a monthly fee per user.

3. A computer implemented system for managing a plurality of user requests for services provided by vendors, comprising:

a database for storing contract information for vendors, entitlement information for users and a plurality of billing items associated with user requests for services provided by a vendor;

input/output means operable by a user for generating a user request for services provided by a vendor;

means for comparing said user request for services to entitlement information for said user and contract information for said vendor, and generating an approved request in response thereto;

means for generating a billing item associated with said approved request and transmitting said billing item to said database;

means for transmitting said approved request to said vendor;

means for receiving from said vendor an invoice of charges for services associated with a plurality of approved requests including said approved request and comparing said invoice with said plurality of billing items including said billing item; and

means for allocating in accordance with said billing item a portion of said invoice to said user generating said approved request;

whereby users receiving services from said vendor are charged an appropriate portion of said invoice in accordance with those services said users received from said vendor.

4. The computer implemented system of claim 3 wherein said invoice of charges includes a monthly fee per user.

5. A computer implemented method for managing a plurality of user requests for services provided by vendors, comprising:

providing a database storing contract information for vendors, entitlement information for users and a plurality of billing items associated with user requests for services provided by a vendor;

generating a user request for services provided by a vendor, and comparing said user request with said entitlement information for said user and said contract information for said vendor to determine if said user request is an approved request;

transmitting said approved request to said vendor;

generating a billing item in said database for said approved request;

receiving from said vendor an invoice of charges for services associated with a plurality of approved requests including said approved request, and for comparing said invoice with said plurality of billing items including said billing item; and

allocating in accordance with said billing item, a portion of said invoice to said user generating said approved request;

whereby users receiving services from said vendor are charged an appropriate portion of said invoice in accordance with services said users received from said vendor.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 5 wherein said invoice of charges includes a monthly fee per user.

7. A computer implemented method for managing a plurality of user requests for services provided by vendors, comprising:

providing a database for storing contract information for vendors, entitlement information for users and a plurality of billing items associated with user requests for services provided by a vendor;

generating a user request for services provided by a vendor;

comparing said user request for services to entitlement information for said user and contract information for said vendor, and generating an approved request in response thereto;

generating a billing item associated with said approved request and transmitting said billing item to said database;

transmitting said approved request to said vendor;

receiving from said vendor an invoice of charges for services associated with a plurality of approved requests including said approved request, and comparing said invoice with said plurality of billing items including said billing item; and

allocating in accordance with said billing item, a portion of said invoice to said user generating said approved request;

whereby users receiving services from said vendor are charged an appropriate portion of said invoice in accordance with services said users received from said vendor.

8. The computer implemented method of claim 7 wherein said invoice of charges includes a monthly fee per user.

9. A computer implemented method for managing a plurality of requests from users in an organization for services provided by vendors, comprising:

providing a database storing entitlement information for users in an organization based on at least one of the users'"'"' position and assigned physical location in said organization, contract information for vendors, and a plurality of billing items associated with user requests for services provided by a vendor;

generating a request from a user for services provided by a vendor, said user being identified by at least one of said user'"'"'s position and assigned physical location in said organization;

comparing said user request with said entitlement information for said user and said contract information for said vendor to determine if said user request is an approved request;

transmitting said approved request to said vendor;

generating a billing item in said database for said approved request;

receiving from said vendor an invoice of charges to said organization for services associated with a plurality of approved requests including said approved request;

comparing said invoice with said plurality of billing items including said billing item to determine if said invoice is accurate;

authorizing payment for said accurate invoice;

allocating in accordance with said billing item, a portion of said invoice to said user generating said approved request based on at least one of said user'"'"'s position and assigned physical location in said organization;

whereby users receiving services from said vendor are charged an appropriate portion of said invoice in accordance with services said users received from said vendor.