Material and supplies ordering system

• US 6,950,826 B1
• Filed: 04/10/2000
• Issued: 09/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Craig Freeman
• Original Assignee: Gemelli Capital Trust
• Inventors: Freeman, Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): Myhre, James W.
• Application Number:
  US09/545,991
• Time in Patent Office: 1,996 Days
• Field of Search: 707/102, 705/8, 705/22, 705/28, 705/29, 705/7, 705/9, 700/100
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A method for facilitating the ordering of construction supplies by a customer over the Internet is provided. The method comprises: receiving a supplier reference indicating a supplier; providing the customer with a phase list comprising references to each of a plurality of construction phases; receiving a customer selection of a construction phase from the phase list; providing the customer with a supply list comprising references to a plurality of supplies associated with the selected construction phase, the plurality of supplies being available from the indicated supplier; allowing the customer to make a supply selection of at least one supply from the supply list; recording the supply selection; listing the supply selection; allowing the customer to remove supply selections from the listing; and transferring the list to the indicated supplier in response to an order send command.

Claims

1. A contractor/customer ordering computer program product, tangibly embodied on a machine-readable medium, comprising instructions operable to:

initiate a contractor/customer ordering computer program;

receive contractor/customer identification information entered by a contractor/customer in response to a display initiated by the ordering program;

display a menu from which the contractor/customer selects a classification of construction materials or products, the classification associated with a construction phase;

cause the contractor/customer to select a set of construction materials or products within the classification;

display a set of specific material or product names corresponding to the selected set of construction materials or products, the set of specific material or product names being dependent on an identified regional supplier such that the set includes only names of specific materials or products that are offered by the identified supplier;

in response to the contractor/customer selecting one or more of the displayed specific material or product names and a specific quantity desired for each selected specific material or product name, record the specific material or product name and a quantity for each specific material or product name selected;

generate a list displaying the specific material or product name and the quantity for each specific material or product name selected;

enable the contractor/customer to access at least one of a SKU number, a UPC, a bar code, or a material or product number for each individual material or product name selected; and

cause data corresponding to the list and data pertaining to contractor/customer identification information entered into the ordering program to be submitted to the identified regional supplier.

2. The contractor/customer ordering computer program product of claim 1 wherein the step of causing data corresponding to the list and data pertaining to contractor/customer identification information to be submitted to the identified supplier is performed by the contractor/customer ordering computer program itself by directly submitting the data from the list and the data pertaining to contractor/customer identification information to the identified supplier.

3. The contractor/customer ordering computer program product of claim 1 wherein the material or product number, SKU number, UPC, or bar code is specific to the identified supplier.

4. The contractor/customer ordering computer program product of claim 1 wherein the data corresponding to the list and the data pertaining to contractor/customer identification information is submitted electronically.

5. The contractor/customer ordering computer program product of claim 1 wherein the data corresponding to the list and the data pertaining to the contractor/customer identification information is submitted by facsimile transmission.

6. The contractor/customer ordering program product of claim 1 wherein the identified regional supplier is part of a national chain.

7. The contractor/customer ordering program product of claim 1 further comprising instructions for downloading a current list of costs for each specific material or product from the identified supplier.

8. The contractor/customer ordering program product of claim 1 further comprising instructions for returning a cost estimate from the identified supplier to the contractor/customer.

9. The contractor/customer ordering program product of claim 1 further comprising instructions for requesting a date of delivery of the construction materials or products from the identified supplier.

10. The contractor/customer ordering program product of claim 1 further comprising instructions for providing confirmation of receipt of data from the identified supplier to the contractor/customer.

11. The contractor/customer ordering program product of claim 1 wherein the construction phase comprises at least one of a foundation, plumbing, electrical, framing, and roofing materials or products phase.

12. The contractor/customer ordering program of claim 1 wherein the steps recited therein are performed consecutively.

13. The contractor/customer ordering program product of claim 1 wherein the identified regional supplier is associated with a national chain.

14. The contractor/customer ordering program product of claim 1 wherein the menu displays a classification of construction materials or products associated with construction phases comprising foundation, plumbing, electrical, framing, and roofing phases.

15. A method for communicating construction material data or construction product data from a contractor/customer to a supplier of construction materials or products, the method comprising:

initiating a contractor/customer ordering computer program;

entering data in response to a display initiated by the ordering program;

selecting a classification of construction materials or products from a menu displayed by the ordering program, the classification associated with a construction phase;

selecting a set of construction materials or products within the classification;

the ordering program displaying a set of specific material or product names corresponding to the selected construction materials or products, the set of specific material or product names being dependent on a regional supplier such that the set includes names of specific materials or products that are offered by the regional supplier;

selecting one or more of the displayed specific material or product names and a quantity desired for each selected specific material or product name, the ordering program recording at least one of the specific material or product name, a material or product number, a SKU number, a UPC, a bar code, and the quantity for each specific material or product name selected;

the ordering program generating a list displaying the at least one of the specific material or product name, the material or product number, the SKU number, the UPC, the bar code, and the quantity for each specific material or product name selected; and

the ordering program causing data corresponding to the list and data pertaining to contractor/customer identification information entered into the ordering program to be submitted to the regional supplier.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein causing data corresponding to the list and data pertaining to contractor/customer identification information to be submitted to the supplier is performed by the contractor/customer ordering computer program itself by directly transferring the data from the list and the data pertaining to contractor/customer identification information to the supplier.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the product number, SKU number, UPC, or bar code is specific to the supplier.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the ordering program allows causes the data corresponding to the list and the data pertaining to contractor/customer identification information to be submitted electronically.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the ordering program causes the data corresponding to the list and the data pertaining to the contractor/customer identification information to be submitted by facsimile transmission.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the regional supplier is part of a national chain.

21. The method of claim 15 wherein the ordering program downloads a current list of costs for each specific material or product from the supplier.

22. The method of claim 15 wherein the ordering program returns a cost estimate from the supplier to the contractor/customer.

23. The method of claim 15 further comprising requesting a date of delivery of the construction materials or products from the supplier.

24. The method of claim 15 wherein the ordering program causes a confirmation of receipt of data from the supplier to the contractor/customer.

25. The method of claim 15 wherein the construction phase comprises one or more of a foundation, plumbing, electrical, framing, and roofing materials or products phase.

26. The method of claim 15 wherein the steps recited therein are performed consecutively.

27. The contractor/customer ordering program product of claim 15 wherein the identified regional supplier is associated with a national chain.

28. A system comprising a contractor/customer ordering computer programmed to be accessible by a contractor/customer computer, the ordering computer interconnected to a publicly accessible network means:

the ordering computer being programmed to initiate a contractor/customer ordering computer program;

the ordering computer being programmed to receive data entered by a contractor/customer in response to a display on the contractor/customer computer initiated by the ordering computer program;

the ordering computer program being programmed to cause a display of a menu on the contractor/customer computer from which the contractor/customer can select a classification of construction materials, products or supplies, the classification being associated with a construction phase, and upon selection of a classification, to cause a display of a menu of a set of construction material or product materials, products or supplies within the classification;

the ordering computer being programmed to cause a display on the contractor/customer computer of a set of material, product or supply names, the set of material or product names being dependent on an identified regional supplier such that the set includes names of specific materials, products or supplies that are provided by the identified regional supplier;

the ordering computer being programmed to allow selection of one or more of the displayed selected material or product names and a quantity desired for each material or product name, the ordering computer being programmed to record and list the material, product or supply names and the quantity for each material, product or supply-name selected; and

the ordering computer being programmed to enable the contractor/customer to access at least one of a SKU number, a UPC, a bar code, and a material, product or supply number for each specific material, product or supply name selected.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein the ordering computer is programmed so that the recited steps are performed consecutively.

30. A method for facilitating the ordering of construction supplies by a customer over the Internet, the method comprising:

receiving a supplier reference indicating a regional supplier;

providing the customer with a phase list comprising references to each of a plurality of construction phases;

receiving a customer selection of a construction phase from the phase list;

providing the customer with a supply list comprising references to a plurality of supplies associated with the selected construction phase, the plurality of supplies being available from the indicated regional supplier;

allowing the customer to make a supply selection of at least one supply from the supply list;

recording the supply selection;

listing the supply selection;

allowing the customer to remove supply selections from the listing; and

submitting the list to the indicated regional supplier in response to an order send command over the Internet.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the phase list comprises at least one phase associated with constructing a building.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the phase list comprises at least one phase selected from a wiring phase;

a plumbing phase;

a flooring phase;

a kitchen and bath phase;

a lighting phase;

a foundation phase;

a siding phase;

a heating and cooling phase; and

a windows and doors phase.

33. The method of claim 30, further comprising providing the customer with a supplier list and allowing the customer to select a supplier from the supplier list.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein the supply list includes tools.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein the listing includes for each supply selection, a part name and at least one of a merchant specific part number, a SKU, a universal product code, and a bar code.

36. A method for communicating and ordering materials, products and supplies from a regional supplier, comprising the steps of:

initiating a publicly accessible contractor/customer ordering computer program;

entering one or more material, product or supply names and a specific quantity desired for each material, product or supply into a categorization table;

said ordering program attaching a regional supplier'"'"'s specific part number, part name, stock keeping unit (SKU), universal product code, or bar code for each material, product or supply entered; and

said ordering program generating a list displaying the regional supplier'"'"'s specific part number, part name, stock keeping unit (SKU), universal product code, or bar code and quantity for each material, product or supply.

37. The method as recited in claim 36, further comprising submitting said list to said regional supplier.

38. The method as recited in claim 36, wherein said ordering computer program is located remotely from a contractor'"'"'s/customer'"'"'s computer.

39. The method as recited in claim 36, wherein said contractor/customer accesses the ordering computer program over an internet or network system.

40. A method for communicating and ordering materials, products and supplies from a regional supplier, comprising the steps of:

initiating a publicly accessible contractor/customer ordering computer program;

selecting a regional supplier from a first menu displayed by said computer program;

entering one or more material, product or supply names and a specific quantity desired for each material, product or supply into a categorization table;

said ordering program attaching the selected regional supplier'"'"'s specific part number, part name, stock keeping unit (SKU), universal product code, or bar code for each material, product or supply entered; and

said ordering program generating a list displaying the selected regional supplier'"'"'s specific part number, part name, stock keeping unit (SKU), universal product code, or bar code and quantity for each material, product or supply.

41. The method as recited in claim 40, further comprising the step of submitting said list to said selected regional supplier.

42. The method as recited in claim 40, wherein said ordering computer program is located remotely from the contractor'"'"'s/customer'"'"'s computer.

43. The method as recited in claim 40, wherein said contractor/customer accesses the ordering computer program over an internet or network system.

49. The method as recited in claim 41, wherein said contractor/customer accesses the computer program over a publicly accessible internet or network system.

44. A method for communicating and ordering materials, products and supplies from a regional supplier, comprising the steps of:

initiating a publicly accessible contractor/customer ordering computer program;

said ordering program displaying a construction phase specific categorization table;

entering one or more material, product or supply names and a specific quantity desired for each material, product or supply into a categorization table;

said ordering program attaching the selected regional supplier'"'"'s specific part number, part name, stock keeping unit (SKU), universal product code, or bar code for each material, product or supply entered; and

said ordering program generating a list displaying the selected regional supplier'"'"'s specific part number, part name, stock keeping unit (SKU), universal product code, or bar code and quantity for each material, product or supply.

45. The method as recited in claim 44, wherein said ordering computer program is located remotely from the contractor'"'"'s/customer'"'"'s computer.

46. The method as recited in claim 44, wherein said contractor/customer accesses the ordering computer program over an internet or network system.

47. A method for communicating and ordering materials, products and supplies from a regional supplier, comprising the steps of:

initiating a publicly accessible contractor/customer ordering computer program;

entering one or more material, product or supply names and a specific quantity desired for each material, product or supply into, said contractor/customer ordering program;

said ordering program attaching a regional supplier'"'"'s specific part number, part name, stock keeping unit (SKU), universal product code, or bar code for each material, product or supply entered; and

said ordering program generating a list displaying the regional supplier'"'"'s specific part number, part name, stock keeping unit (SKU), universal product code, or bar code and quantity for each material, product or supply.

48. The method as recited in claim 47, wherein said publicly accessible ordering computer program is located remotely from the contractor'"'"'s/customer'"'"'s computer.