System for optimization of cost management

• US 7,660,743 B1
• Filed: 10/15/2004
• Issued: 02/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deem, Incorporated (Jack Taylor Family Voting Trust U A D 4 14 99)
• Original Assignee: Rearden Commerce Inc
• Inventors: Messa, Suzette, Handel, Sean, GaBany, Jay
• Primary Examiner(s): Shah; Amee A
• Application Number:
  US10/966,556
• Time in Patent Office: 1,943 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 705/5
• US Class Current: 705/26.25
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0607 Regulated

Abstract

A method and system to for optimization of cost management that allows implementation of such controls and rules. In one embodiment, the system and method are integrated into an existing service procurement system.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, the method comprising:

obtaining, via a computing device, personal preferences of a first end user;

receiving, via the computing device, a request for procurement of an item from the first end user;

in response to the request, creating, via the computing device, a set of procurement rules based on at least in part on the personal preferences of the first end user, options previously declined by the first end user, and history of similar requests of the first end user, wherein the first end user is an employee of an organization;

messaging, via the computing device, the first end user according to the set of procurement rules;

notifying, via the computing device, the first end user of a variation from the personal preferences;

providing, via the computing device, an alternative option to the personal preferences that is compliant with the procurement rules;

offering, via the computing device, a financial incentive to the first end user not to procure a component of the item and instead procure the alternative option; and

configuring, via the computing device, the procurement rules in accordance with procurement rules selected by at least a majority of other organizations in a predetermined category.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, via the computing device, a procurement selection from the first end user in response to the messaging.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining, via the computing device, a profile of the first end user; and

generating, via the computing device, an automated procurement selection based on the profile of the first end user.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of procurement rules is further based on procurement rules of an entity;

and the messaging offers the first end user one or more options to modify the request for procurement.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the set of procurement rules includes contract related rules.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending, via the computing device, an approval request to a second end user for the request of procurement received from the first end user; and

messaging, via the computing device, the second end user in relation with the approval request according to a set of procurement approval rules.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

obtaining, via the computing device, personal preferences of the second end user;

wherein the set of procurement approval rules is based on the personal preferences of the second end user.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the set of procurement approval rules includes contract related rules.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising receiving, via the computing device, approval of the request of procurement from the second end user.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising initiating, via the computing device, a process for execution of procurement contracts in response to the approval from the second end user.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising executing, via the computing device, one or more procurement contracts after the approval from the second end user.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising sending, via the computing device, both the first and the second end user notification of procurement.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the request for procurement is to identify qualified service providers or service types.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the request for procurement is related to travel reservations or services.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of procurement rules is related to cost management optimization.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the messaging is based on the identity of the first end user.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the messaging is place name or date and time sensitive.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, via the computing device, a reply from the first end user in response to the messaging.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

repeating providing, via the computing device, the messaging to the first end user according to the set of procurement rules; and

receiving, via the computing device, the reply from the first end user in response to the messaging until a procurement selection from the first end user is received.

20. The method of claim 6, further comprising receiving, via the computing device, a reply from the second end user in response to an authorization messaging.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

repeating providing, via the computing device, the authorization messaging to the second end user according to the set of approval procurement rules; and

receiving, via the computing device, the reply from the second end user in response to the authorization messaging until an authorization acceptance or decline from the second end user is received.

22. A machine-readable medium having stored thereon a set of instructions, the instructions causing a data processing system to perform a method comprising:

obtaining personal preferences of a first end user;

receiving a request for procurement of an item from the first end user;

in response to the request, creating a set of procurement rules based at least in part on the personal preferences of the first end user, options previously declined by the first end user, and history of similar requests of the first end user, wherein the first end user is an employee of an organization;

messaging the first end user according to the set of procurement rules;

notifying the first end user of a variation from the personal preferences;

providing an alternative option to the personal preferences that is compliant with the procurement rules;

offering a financial incentive to the first end user not to procure a component of the item and instead procure the alternative option; and

configuring the procurement rules in accordance with procurement rules selected by at least a majority of other organizations in a predetermined category.

23. A computer data processing system comprising:

at least one server for;

storing personal preferences of a first end user;

receiving a request for procurement of an item from the first end user;

in response to the request, creating a set of procurement rules based at least in part on the personal preferences of the first end user, options previously declined by the first end user, and history of similar requests of the first end user, wherein the first end user is an employee of an organization;

messaging the first end user according to the set of procurement rules;

notifying the first end user of a variation from the personal preferences;

providing an alternative option to the personal preferences that is compliant with the procurement rules,

offering a financial incentive to the first end user not to procure a component of the item and instead procure the alternative option; and

configuring the procurement rules in accordance with procurement rules selected by at least a majority of other organizations in a predetermined category.