Communication schema of online reporting system and method related to online orders for consumer products having specific configurations

• US 6,728,685 B1
• Filed: 04/05/2000
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Ahluwalia, Gurpreet
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaketic, Bryan J
• Application Number:
  US09/543,833
• Time in Patent Office: 1,483 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27
• US Class Current: 705/26.5
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders

Abstract

An online communication schema for reporting related to online ordering and tracking is provided. The communication schema comprises an order message having order information, order status, and dealer action information. The order message further includes a retail order message, and a tagged order message. The communication schema further comprises a lead message having lead information, lead status, and dealer action information.

Claims

1. An online communication schema for reporting related to online ordering and tracking, comprising:

a computerized retail order message having order information, order status, and dealer action information, the retail order message comprising an order placed by a dealer and sent to a workflow manager for order processing, the order status of the retail order message updated by the workflow manager based upon the order processing; and

a computerized lead message having lead information, lead status, and dealer action information.

2. The communication schema, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the order message and lead message are XML.

3. The communication schema, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the order information comprises:

an order source identifier;

a session identifier; and

an order number.

4. The communication schema, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the order information further comprises:

a configuration identifier identifying a product configuration in the order; and

a unique product serial number.

5. The communication schema, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the order status comprises:

a status code;

a status description; and

a time stamp of the status.

6. The communication schema, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the order status comprises a status alert.

7. The communication schema, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the dealer action information comprises:

a dealer code identifying a dealer responsible for the order;

a vehicle availability flag; and

a demo drive flag.

8. The communication schema, as set forth in claim 7, wherein the dealer action information further comprises:

a response time interval to take dealer action; and

a response type indicative of the type of contact made by the dealer to the customer.

9. The communication schema, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lead information comprises:

a lead source identifier identifying a lead originating web site;

a session identifier; and

a configuration identifier identifying a product configuration selected by the customer.

10. The communication schema, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the order information further comprises a product type of a product selected by the customer.

11. The communication schema, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lead status comprises:

a status code;

a status description; and

a time stamp of the status.

12. The communication schema, as set forth in claim 11, wherein the lead status further comprises a product configuration change flag.

13. An online communication schema for reporting related to online ordering and tracking of configurable products, comprising a computerized retail order message having order information, order status, and dealer action information, the retail order message sent by a dealer to a workflow manager for order processing, the order status of the retail order message updated by the workflow manager based upon the order processing, the order information comprising:

an order source identifier;

a session identifier;

an order number;

a configuration identifier identifying a product configuration in the order; and

a unique product serial number.

14. The communication schema, as set forth in claim 13, wherein the order status comprises:

a status code;

a status description; and

a time stamp of the status.

15. The communication schema, as set forth in claim 14, wherein the order status further comprises a status alert.

16. The communication schema, as set forth in claim 13, wherein the dealer action information comprises:

a dealer code identifying a dealer responsible for the order;

a vehicle availability flag; and

a demo drive flag.

17. The communication schema, as set forth in claim 16, wherein the dealer action information further comprises:

a response time interval to take dealer action; and

a response type indicative of the type of contact made by the dealer to the customer.

18. The communication schema, as set forth in claim 13, further comprising a lead message having lead information, lead status, and dealer action information.

19. The communication schema, as set forth in claim 18, wherein the lead information comprises:

a lead source identifier identifying a lead originating web site;

a session identifier; and

a configuration identifier identifying a product configuration selected by the customer.

20. The communication schema, as set forth in claim 19, wherein the lead information further comprises a product type of a product selected by the customer.

21. The communication schema, as set forth in claim 18, wherein the lead status comprises:

a status code;

a status description; and

a time stamp of the status.

22. The communication schema, as set forth in claim 21, wherein the lead status further comprises a product configuration change flag.

23. The communication schema, as set forth in claim 13, wherein the order message is an XML message.

24. The communication schema, as set forth in claim 18, wherein the lead message is an XML message.