Method and system for matching complex customer requirements with provider solutions
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electronic exchange for fulfilling an integrated solution, comprising:
- a matching system that comprises an automatic mode and an interactive mode for matching user requirements for the integrated solution with a set of candidate components comprising a plurality of information technology components, the combination of which can fulfill the integrated solution, the matching system including;
a solution building tool that generates a solution map for identifying the set of candidate components, wherein each of a set of nodes in the solution map includes at least one characteristic of a component required to fulfill the integrated solution; and
a supplier exchange system for interfacing with suppliers of the set of candidate components.
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Abstract
A method and system for forming and procuring an integrated solution to meet a set of requirements. The invention includes an electronic exchange for providing an information technology (IT) solution, comprising: a matching system for matching IT requirements with a set of candidate IT components that provide the IT solution; a supplier exchange system for interfacing with suppliers of the set of candidate IT components; and an exchange catalog for storing information relating to available IT components, including supplier information.
33 Citations
28 Claims
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1. An electronic exchange for fulfilling an integrated solution, comprising:
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a matching system that comprises an automatic mode and an interactive mode for matching user requirements for the integrated solution with a set of candidate components comprising a plurality of information technology components, the combination of which can fulfill the integrated solution, the matching system including; a solution building tool that generates a solution map for identifying the set of candidate components, wherein each of a set of nodes in the solution map includes at least one characteristic of a component required to fulfill the integrated solution; and a supplier exchange system for interfacing with suppliers of the set of candidate components. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A program product stored on a recordable medium, the program product comprising:
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means for matching a set of system requirements necessary to build an information technology application that comprises an integrated solution with a set of candidate components, wherein the set of candidate components comprises a plurality of information technology components, the combination of which can fulfill the system requirements, wherein the means for matching includes an automatic mode and an interactive mode for matching the set of system requirements with the set of candidate components, and wherein the means for matching further includes; means for generating a solution map for identifying the set of candidate components, wherein each of a set of nodes in the solution map includes at least one characteristic of a component required to fulfill the integrated solution; and means for interfacing with suppliers of the set of candidate components. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An electronic exchange for providing an information technology (IT) solution, comprising:
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a matching system that comprises an automatic mode and an interactive mode for matching IT requirements for the IT solution with a set of candidate IT components comprising a plurality of IT components, the combination of which is able to provide the IT solution, the matching system generating a solution map for identifying the set of candidate components, wherein each of a set of nodes in the solution map includes at least one characteristic of a component required to fulfill the integrated solution; a supplier exchange system for interfacing with suppliers of the set of candidate IT components; and an exchange catalog for storing information relating to available IT components, including supplier information. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A computerized method for forming an integrated solution to meet a set of requirements for a system, comprising:
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providing a database of solution components, wherein the solution components are associated with supplier data that details at least one supplier capable of supplying each solution component; obtaining a solution map that comprises component characteristics for a plurality of information technology components, wherein each of a set of nodes in the solution map includes at least one characteristic of a required information technology component; automatically matching the set of system requirements with a set of candidate components, the combination of which can form the integrated solution, by interrogating the database of solution components using a solution map, wherein the set of candidate components comprises a plurality of solution components; identifying suppliers of the set of candidate components by examining the supplier data associated with the set of candidate components; and interfacing with suppliers of the set of candidate components via a network interface; and selecting a final set of components to form the integrated solution. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A computerized method for forming an integrated solution to meet a set of requirements for a system, comprising:
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providing an electronic exchange that allows entities to communicate over a common platform; receiving a request for information (RFI) from a user of the electronic exchange for an information technology product, the RFI including an inquiry with respect to implementing the information technology product; posting the RFI to participating suppliers; receiving responses at the electronic exchange from interested suppliers, each response including a description with respect to implementing the information technology product; forwarding the responses to the user; and facilitating additional communications as necessary between the user and the interested suppliers to expedite the identification of a plurality of candidate information technology components, the combination of which can form the integrated solution.
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28. A computerized method for forming an integrated solution to meet a set of requirements for a system, comprising:
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providing an electronic exchange that allows entities to communicate over a common platform; receiving at least one information technology component for an information technology application from a user of the electronic exchange; posting the at least one information technology component to participating suppliers; receiving responses at the electronic exchange from interested suppliers, each response including at least one of a cost for the at least one information technology component or a question regarding the at least one information technology component; forwarding the responses to the user; and facilitating additional communications as necessary between the user and the interested suppliers to obtain a plurality of information technology components, the combination of which can form the integrated solution.
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Specification