Method and computer program for the acquisition of capital equipment using web-based purchase pooling
First Claim
1. A method for the acquisition of capital equipment using web-based purchase pooling, wherein the method is implemented by one or more processors executing processor instructions stored on a computer readable medium, the method comprising the processor implemented steps of:
- storing a default specification for capital equipment in a database;
assigning a plurality of potential buyers to a purchasing pool, at least one or more the potential buyers having an interest in the collective purchase of the capital equipment;
providing access to the default specification via a web-based system in communication with the database to the plurality of potential buyers using client devices over a network, wherein the default specification is associated with the purchasing pool;
receiving, by the web-based system, a plurality of customized specifications based on the default specification from one or more of the plurality of potential buyers via the client devices, wherein the plurality of customized specifications are stored in the database;
determining, by the web-based system, common portions and non-common portions of the plurality of customized specifications based on a comparison of the plurality of customized specifications;
receiving, by the web-based system, a plurality of weights associated with the non-common portions from one or more of the plurality of potential buyers via the client devices;
selecting, by the web-based system, at least one of the non-common portions, wherein the non-common portions associated with the highest weights are selected, wherein selecting at least one of the non-common portions comprises prioritizing the non-common portions, and selecting at least one of the non-common portions with the highest priority, and wherein prioritizing the non-common portions is based on the number of capital equipment; and
providing, by the web-based system, a request for proposal to at least one potential seller of capital equipment, wherein the request for proposal comprises the common portions and the selected non-common portions and a number of capital equipment for each of the plurality of potential buyers, and wherein the request for proposal represents at least two or more of the potential buyers to the purchasing pool.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for the acquisition of capital equipment using web-based purchase pooling including storing a default specification for capital equipment in a database, assigning a plurality of potential buyers to a purchasing pool, providing access to the default specification via a web-based system in communication with the database to the plurality of potential buyers using client devices over a network, receiving by the web-based system a plurality of customized specifications based on the default specification from one or more of the plurality of potential buyers via the client devices, determining by the web-based system common portions and non-common portions of the plurality of customized specifications based on a comparison of the plurality of customized specifications, selecting at least one of the non-common portions, and providing a request for proposal, which includes the common portions and the selected non-common portions, to at least one potential seller of capital equipment.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for the acquisition of capital equipment using web-based purchase pooling, wherein the method is implemented by one or more processors executing processor instructions stored on a computer readable medium, the method comprising the processor implemented steps of:
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storing a default specification for capital equipment in a database; assigning a plurality of potential buyers to a purchasing pool, at least one or more the potential buyers having an interest in the collective purchase of the capital equipment; providing access to the default specification via a web-based system in communication with the database to the plurality of potential buyers using client devices over a network, wherein the default specification is associated with the purchasing pool; receiving, by the web-based system, a plurality of customized specifications based on the default specification from one or more of the plurality of potential buyers via the client devices, wherein the plurality of customized specifications are stored in the database; determining, by the web-based system, common portions and non-common portions of the plurality of customized specifications based on a comparison of the plurality of customized specifications; receiving, by the web-based system, a plurality of weights associated with the non-common portions from one or more of the plurality of potential buyers via the client devices; selecting, by the web-based system, at least one of the non-common portions, wherein the non-common portions associated with the highest weights are selected, wherein selecting at least one of the non-common portions comprises prioritizing the non-common portions, and selecting at least one of the non-common portions with the highest priority, and wherein prioritizing the non-common portions is based on the number of capital equipment; and providing, by the web-based system, a request for proposal to at least one potential seller of capital equipment, wherein the request for proposal comprises the common portions and the selected non-common portions and a number of capital equipment for each of the plurality of potential buyers, and wherein the request for proposal represents at least two or more of the potential buyers to the purchasing pool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A non-transitory computer program product stored on a computer readable medium for the acquisition of capital equipment using web-based purchase pooling, the computer program product comprising:
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a first computer code for storing a default specification for capital equipment in a database; a second computer code for assigning a plurality of potential buyers to a purchasing pool, at least one or more the potential buyers having an interest in the collective purchase of the capital equipment; a third computer code for providing access to the default specification via a web-based system in communication with the database to the plurality of potential buyers using client devices over a network, wherein the default specification is associated with the purchasing pool; a fourth computer code for receiving, by the web-based system, a plurality of customized specifications based on the default specification from one or more of the plurality of potential buyers via the client devices, wherein the plurality of customized specifications are stored in the database; a fifth computer code for determining, by the web-based system, common portions and non-common portions of the plurality of customized specifications based on a comparison of the plurality of customized specifications; a sixth computer code for receiving, by the web-based system, a plurality of weights associated with the non-common portions from one or more of the plurality of potential buyers via the client devices; a seventh computer code for receiving, by the web-based system, a selection of at least one of the non-common portions, wherein the non-common portions associated with the highest weights are selected; and an eight computer code for providing, by the web-based system, a request for proposal to at least one potential seller of capital equipment, wherein the request for proposal comprises the common portions and the selected non-common portions, and wherein the request for proposal represents at least two or more of the potential buyers to the purchasing pool. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A system for the acquisition of capital equipment using web-based purchase pooling, comprising:
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a database configured to store a default specification for capital equipment; a plurality of client devices for use by potential purchasers of capital equipment; and a web-based system in communication with the database and the plurality of client devices, wherein the web-based system is configured to; provide access to the default specification via a web-based system to the plurality of potential buyers in a purchasing pool, at least one or more the potential buyers having an interest in the collective purchase of the capital equipment using their respective client devices, receive a plurality of customized specifications based on the default specification from one or more of the plurality of potential buyers via their respective client devices, determine common portions and non-common portions of the plurality of customized specifications based on a comparison of the plurality of customized specifications, receive a plurality of weights associated with the non-common portions from one or more of the plurality of potential buyers via the client devices, receive a selection of at least one of the non-common portions, wherein the non-common portions associated with the highest weights are selected, and provide a request for proposal to at least one potential seller of capital equipment, wherein the request for proposal comprises the common portions and at least one of the non-common portions, and wherein the request for proposal represents at least two or more of the potential buyers to the purchasing pool. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for the acquisition of capital equipment using web-based purchase pooling, wherein the method is implemented by one or more processors executing processor instructions stored on a computer readable medium, the method comprising the processor implemented steps of:
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storing a default specification for capital equipment in a database; assigning a plurality of potential buyers to a purchasing pool; providing access to the default specification via a web-based system in communication with the database to the plurality of potential buyers using client devices over a network, wherein the default specification is associated with the purchasing pool; receiving, by the web-based system, a plurality of customized specifications based on the default specification from one or more of the plurality of potential buyers via the client devices, wherein the plurality of customized specifications are stored in the database; determining, by the web-based system, common portions and non-common portions of the plurality of customized specifications based on a comparison of the plurality of customized specifications; receiving, by the web-based system, a plurality of weights associated with the non-common portions from one or more of the plurality of potential buyers via the client devices; selecting, by the web-based system, at least one of the non-common portions, wherein selecting at least one of the non-common portions comprises prioritizing the non-common portions, and selecting at least one of the non-common portions associated with the highest weights are selected and with the highest priority; providing, by the web-based system, a request for proposal to at least one potential seller of capital equipment, wherein the request for proposal comprises the common portions and the selected non-common portions, wherein the request for proposal further comprises a number of capital equipment for each of the plurality of potential buyers, and wherein prioritizing the non-common portions is based on the number of capital equipment.
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Specification