Systems and methods of distributing centrally received leads
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method of distributing a plurality of incoming leads to a plurality of automotive dealers, each dealer utilizing one of several different types of lead management software, the method comprising:
- receiving the incoming leads;
for a first of the received leads;
a computer identifying a first dealer, from the plurality of dealers, to whom delivery of the lead would be appropriate based on the lead and information about the plurality of automotive dealers;
a computer identifying a first type of lead management software which is being used by the first dealer by consulting a database of lead management software information;
a computer identifying a first intermediary that is supporting the first type of lead management software and that is situated to interface with the lead management software being used by the first dealer; and
delivering the first lead, together with information identifying the first dealer, to the first intermediary; and
for a second of the received leads;
a computer identifying a second dealer from the plurality of dealers that is different from the first, to whom delivery of the lead would be appropriate based on the lead and information about the plurality of automotive dealers;
a computer identifying a second type of lead management software different from the first which is being used by the second dealer by consulting a database of lead management software information;
a computer identifying a second intermediary different from the first that is supporting the second type of lead management software and that is situated to interface with the lead management software being used by the second dealer; and
delivering the second lead, together with information identifying the second dealer, to the second intermediary.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for managing and distributing centrally-received leads to a plurality of remote dealers are disclosed. The management and distribution of leads may be handled by the centralized methods and systems regardless of the type of lead management software each supported dealer may employ. Also disclosed are systems and methods for collecting and processing information relating to the effectiveness of a dealer'"'"'s follow-through on leads that it receives, independent of how that dealer processes leads or what type of lead management software the dealer uses. Additional disclosures include systems and methods for transmitting leads and lead follow-up and effectiveness information between a central system that receives leads from a plurality of sources and a dealer via an intermediary.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method of distributing a plurality of incoming leads to a plurality of automotive dealers, each dealer utilizing one of several different types of lead management software, the method comprising:
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receiving the incoming leads; for a first of the received leads; a computer identifying a first dealer, from the plurality of dealers, to whom delivery of the lead would be appropriate based on the lead and information about the plurality of automotive dealers; a computer identifying a first type of lead management software which is being used by the first dealer by consulting a database of lead management software information; a computer identifying a first intermediary that is supporting the first type of lead management software and that is situated to interface with the lead management software being used by the first dealer; and delivering the first lead, together with information identifying the first dealer, to the first intermediary; and for a second of the received leads; a computer identifying a second dealer from the plurality of dealers that is different from the first, to whom delivery of the lead would be appropriate based on the lead and information about the plurality of automotive dealers; a computer identifying a second type of lead management software different from the first which is being used by the second dealer by consulting a database of lead management software information; a computer identifying a second intermediary different from the first that is supporting the second type of lead management software and that is situated to interface with the lead management software being used by the second dealer; and delivering the second lead, together with information identifying the second dealer, to the second intermediary. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 41)
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14. Computer-readable media embodying a program of instructions executable by a computer to perform a method of distributing a plurality of incoming leads to a plurality of automotive dealers, each dealer utilizing one of several different types of lead management software, wherein the method comprises:
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for a first of the received leads; identifying a first dealer, from the plurality of dealers, to whom delivery of the lead would be appropriate based on the lead and information about the plurality of automotive dealers; identifying a first type of lead management software which is being used by the first dealer by consulting a database of lead management software information; identifying a first intermediary that is supporting the first type of lead management software and that is situated to interface with the lead management software being used by the first dealer; and delivering the first lead, together with information identifying the first dealer, to the first intermediary; and for a second of the received leads; identifying a second dealer from the plurality of dealers that is different from the first, to whom delivery of the lead would be appropriate based on the lead and information about the plurality of automotive dealers; identifying a second type of lead management software different from the first which is being used by the second dealer by consulting a database of lead management software information; identifying a second intermediary different from the first that is supporting the second type of lead management software and that is situated to interface with the lead management software being used by the second dealer; and delivering the second lead, together with information identifying the second dealer, to the second intermediary. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A system for distributing a plurality of incoming leads to a plurality of automotive dealers, each dealer utilizing one of several different types of lead management software, the system comprising:
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a data interface configured to receive the leads; and a processor configured to, for a first of the received leads; identifying a first dealer, from the plurality of dealers, to whom delivery of the lead would be appropriate based on the lead and information about the plurality of automotive dealers; identifying a first type of lead management software which is being used by the first dealer by consulting a database of lead management software information; identifying a first intermediary that is supporting the first type of lead management software and that is situated to interface with the lead management software being used by the first dealer; and delivering the lead, together with information identifying the first dealer, to the first intermediary; and for a second of the received leads; identifying a second dealer from the plurality of dealers that is different from the first, to whom delivery of the lead would be appropriate based on the lead and information about the plurality of automotive dealers; identifying a second type of lead management software different from the first which is being used by the second dealer by consulting a database of lead management software information; identifying a second intermediary different from the first that is supporting the second type of lead management software and that is situated to interface with the lead management software being used by the second dealer; and delivering the second lead, together with information identifying the second dealer, to the second intermediary. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A computer-implemented method of distributing a plurality of incoming sales leads that are in different formats to a plurality of automotive dealers, each dealer utilizing one of several different types of lead management software, the method comprising:
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a computer receiving the incoming sales leads from a plurality of different lead sources; for a first of the received sales leads; a computer identifying a first dealer, from the plurality of dealers, to whom delivery of the sales lead would be appropriate based on the sales lead and information about the plurality of automotive dealers, including the locations of the dealers; a computer identifying a first type of lead management software which is being used by the first dealer by consulting a database of lead management software information; a computer identifying a first intermediary that is supporting the first type of lead management software and that is situated to interface with the lead management software being used by the first dealer; and delivering the first sales lead, together with information identifying the first dealer, to the first intermediary; and for a second of the received leads which is in a format different from the first of the received sales leads; a computer identifying a second dealer from the plurality of dealers that is different from the first, to whom delivery of the sales lead would be appropriate based on the lead and information about the plurality of automotive dealers, including based on the locations of the dealers; a computer identifying a second type of lead management software different from the first which is being used by the second dealer by consulting a database of lead management software information; a computer identifying a second intermediary different from the first that is supporting the second type of lead management software and that is situated to interface with the lead management software being used by the second dealer; and delivering the second sales lead, together with information identifying the second dealer, to the second intermediary. - View Dependent Claims (42)
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Specification