Method of and system for consultant re-seller business information transfer

• US 9,020,884 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2005
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IQNavigator Incorporated
• Original Assignee: IQNavigator Incorporated
• Inventors: Cullen, Andrew A. III, Shaw, Steven A., Zilberman, Leonid
• Primary Examiner(s): Truong, Dennis
• Application Number:
  US11/071,831
• Publication Number:
  US 20050262008A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,709 Days
• Field of Search: 705/37, 705/7, 705/8, 705/9, 705/7.12, 707/10, 707/999.104, 707/608, 717/102, 717/104
• US Class Current: 707/608
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

A computer system for storing of business information to be transferred from a consultant to a buyer includes a database system for maintaining configurable business information organized into a plurality of information components and a server connected to the database system and connectable to the buyer and the consultant. The server is operable to receive a selection of an information component and configure the information component in accordance with consultant instructions. The configuration includes establishing a data value library and creating an information setting the server is operable to integrate the information setting into at least one work flow entity and integrate the at least one work flow entity into a process design.

Claims

1. A computer system for storing of business information to be transferred from a consultant to a buyer, the computer system comprising:

a database system for maintaining configurable business information organized into a plurality of information components, the configurable business information being maintained in a consultant environment that is independent of any particular buyer environment;

wherein the configurable business information comprises the consultant'"'"'s subject-matter expertise regarding how to optimize a particular business endeavor;

wherein the database system comprises;

an inherent data model operable to facilitate the particular business endeavor, the plurality of information components comprising system data structures of the inherent data model; and

a metadata component operable to create and store metadata mapped to the inherent data model;

a server connected to the database system and connectable to the buyer and the consultant; and

wherein the server is operable to;

receive a selection of an information component from the plurality of information components;

configure the information component in accordance with consultant instructions via the metadata component, the configuration comprising creation and storage of consultant metadata mapped to the information component;

wherein the consultant metadata comprises an information setting;

wherein the information setting customizes at least one of the system data structures so as to accommodate at least one functional nuance of the particular business endeavor not accommodated by the inherent data model;

integrate the information setting into at least one work flow entity; and

integrate the at least one work flow entity into a process design.

2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the server is operable, in configuring the information component in accordance with consultant instructions, to:

create a new data object;

create a new value of an existing data object;

save the new object and the existing data object to the database system; and

create an information component association.

3. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the server is operable, in integrating the information setting into at least one work flow entity, to perform at least one of:

integrating the configured information setting into at least one unmodified pre-existing system-inherent work flow entity;

integrating the configured information setting into at least one modified system-inherent work flow entity; and

integrating the configured information setting into at least one added non-system-inherent work flow entity.

4. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the server is operable, in

integrating the at least one work flow entity into a process design, to:

receive a selection of at least one work flow entity;

receive a selection of at least one user role/permission;

receive specification of number of primary process legs;

receive process-leg specifications; and

store work flow process settings in the database system.

5. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the server is operable to:

establish the information setting for sale; and

in establishing the business information for sale, associate a stored business information setting with a price list entry.

6. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of information components comprise at least one of:

a configuration element; and

a configuration sub-element.

7. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of information components are organized into at least one configuration module, the at least one configuration module comprising at least one of:

a master data configuration module;

a commodity configuration module;

a supplier configuration module;

a human capital management configuration module;

a collateral data configuration module;

a work flow entity configuration module;

an RFx configuration module;

a requisition/purchase order configuration module;

a bill pay request voucher process configuration module;

a financial processing configuration module;

an information system configuration module; and

an aggregations/solutions configuration module.

8. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the server is operable, in integrating the information setting into at least one work flow entity, to put the information setting onto a user interface.

9. A method of storing of business information to be transferred from a consultant to a buyer, the method comprising:

on a database system, maintaining configurable business information organized into a plurality of information components, the configurable business information being maintained in a consultant environment that is independent of any particular buyer environment;

wherein the configurable business information comprises the consultant'"'"'s subject-matter expertise regarding how to optimize a particular business endeavor;

wherein the database system comprises an inherent data model operable to be customized via metadata configuration, the plurality of information components comprising system data structures of the inherent data model;

on at least one server computer, receiving a selection of an information component from the plurality of information components;

configuring, by the at least one server computer, the information component in accordance with consultant instructions via metadata configuration, the configuration comprising creation and storage of consultant metadata mapped to the information component;

wherein the consultant metadata comprises an information setting;

wherein the information setting customizes at least one of the system data structures so as to accommodate at least one functional nuance of the particular business endeavor not accommodated by the inherent data model;

integrating, via the at least one server computer, the information setting into at least one work flow entity; and

integrating, via the at least one server computer, the at least one work flow entity into a process design.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of configuring the information component in accordance with consultant instructions comprises:

creating a new data object;

creating a new value of an existing data object;

saving the new object and the existing data object to the database system; and

creating an information component association.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of integrating the information setting into at least one work flow entity comprises putting the setting onto a user interface.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of integrating the at least one work flow entity into a process design comprises:

receive a selection of at least one work flow entity;

receive a selection of at least one user role/permission;

receive specification of number of primary process legs;

receive process-leg specifications; and

store work flow process settings in the database system.

13. The method of claim 9, comprising:

establishing the information setting for sale; and

wherein the step of establishing the business information for sale comprises associating a stored business information setting with a price list entry.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of information components comprise at least one of:

a configuration element; and

a configuration sub-element.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of information components are organized into at least one configuration module, the at least one configuration module comprising at least one of:

a master data configuration module;

a commodity configuration module;

a supplier configuration module;

a human capital management configuration module;

a collateral data configuration module;

a work flow entity configuration module;

an RFx configuration module;

a requisition/purchase order configuration module;

a bill pay request voucher process configuration module;

a financial processing configuration module;

an information system configuration module; and

an aggregations/solutions configuration module.

16. A computer system for facilitating transfer of business information in the form of configuration settings from a consultant to a buyer, the computer system comprising:

a database system for storing the business information to be transferred, the business information being maintained in a consultant environment that is independent of a buyer environment;

wherein the business information comprises the consultant'"'"'s subject-matter expertise regarding how to optimize a particular business endeavor;

wherein the database system comprises;

an inherent data model operable to facilitate the particular business endeavor, the inherent data model comprising system data structures; and

a metadata component operable to create and store metadata mapped to the inherent data model;

a server connected to the database system and connectable to the buyer and the consultant; and

wherein the server is operable to;

receive a buyer request for transfer of previously-defined consultant configuration settings;

wherein the previously-defined consultant configuration settings comprise consultant metadata mapped to the inherent data model via the metadata component;

wherein the consultant metadata customizes at least one of the system data structures via the metadata component, the customization comprising accommodation of at least one functional nuance of the particular business endeavor not accommodated by the inherent data model;

perform a component-framework comparison between the buyer environment and the consultant environment; and

responsive to a determination that the buyer environment supports the configuration settings, transfer at least one of a configuration-setting object and a configuration-setting value to the buyer environment.

17. The computer system of claim 16, wherein the server is operable to:

determine whether the transfer was successful; and

responsive to a determination that the transfer was successful, provide a message to the buyer indicating that the requested configuration settings have been transferred.

18. The computer system of claim 16, wherein the server is operable to:

determine whether the transfer was successful; and

responsive to a determination that the transfer was not successful;

provide a message to the buyer indicating that the requested configuration settings have not been transferred; and

provide a message to an administrator regarding transfer failure.

19. The computer system of claim 16, wherein the server is operable to:

provide to the buyer a control enabling configuration-setting modification;

provide to the buyer a control to synchronize the transferred configuration settings with the buyer environment;

perform at least one of relationship, data integrity, and work flow analyses; and

provide to the buyer information relative to the performed analyses.

20. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the server is operable to:

receive input from the buyer indicating whether buyer intervention is necessary to the performed analyses; and

responsive to a determination that buyer intervention is necessary, provide an option to the buyer to complete settings configuration.

21. The computer system of claim 20, wherein the server is operable to, responsive to a determination that buyer intervention is necessary:

receive buyer inputs relative to reconciliation of settings conflicts; and

save buyer inputs.

22. The computer system of claim 21, wherein the server is operable to:

receive input from the buyer indicating whether buyer intervention is necessary to the performed analyses; and

responsive to a determination that buyer intervention is not necessary, provide an option to the buyer to activate the transferred configuration settings.

30. The computer system of claim 16, wherein the server is connected to the database system to execute instructions to:

permit the buyer to access business information;

permit the buyer to query business information to find applicable consultants;

permit the buyer to request a consultant call;

permit the buyer to request a services provision from the consultant in the form of an offer;

permit the consultant to make a disposition regarding the buyer'"'"'s offer; and

provide the buyer disposition status of the offer.

23. A method for facilitating transfer of business information in the form of configuration settings from a consultant to a buyer, the method comprising:

on a database system, storing the business information to be transferred, the business information being maintained in a consultant environment that is independent of a buyer environment;

wherein the business information comprises the consultant'"'"'s subject-matter expertise regarding how to optimize a particular business endeavor;

wherein the database system comprises an inherent data model operable to facilitate the particular business endeavor and be customized via metadata configuration;

wherein the inherent data model comprises system data structures;

receiving a buyer request for transfer of previously-defined consultant configuration settings;

wherein the previously-defined consultant configuration settings comprise consultant metadata mapped to the inherent data model via the metadata configuration;

wherein the consultant metadata customizes at least one of the system data structures via the metadata configuration, the customization comprising accommodation of at least one functional nuance of the particular business endeavor not accommodated by the inherent data model;

performing a component-framework comparison between the buyer environment and the consultant environment;

responsive to a determination that the buyer environment supports the configuration settings, transferring at least one of configuration-setting object and a configuration-setting value to the buyer environment.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

determining whether the transfer was successful; and

responsive to a determination that the transfer was successful, providing a message to the buyer indicating that the requested configuration settings have been transferred.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

determining whether the transfer was successful; and

responsive to a determination that the transfer was not successful;

providing a message to the buyer indicating that the requested configuration settings have not been transferred; and

providing a message to an administrator regarding transfer failure.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

providing to the buyer a control enabling configuration-setting modification;

providing to the buyer a control to synchronize the transferred configuration settings with the buyer environment;

performing at least one of relationship, data integrity, and work flow analyses; and

providing to the buyer information relative to the performed analyses.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

receiving input from the buyer indicating whether buyer intervention is necessary to the performed analyses; and

responsive to a determination that buyer intervention is necessary, providing an option to the buyer to complete settings configuration.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising, responsive to a determination that buyer intervention is necessary:

receiving buyer inputs relative to reconciliation of settings conflicts; and

saving buyer inputs.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

receiving input from the buyer indicating whether buyer intervention is necessary to the performed analyses; and

responsive to a determination that buyer intervention is not necessary, providing an option to the buyer to activate the transferred configuration settings.

31. A method of enabling transfer of business information from a consultant to a buyer, the method comprising:

permitting, by at least one server computer, access by a consultant to a transfer environment that facilitates transfer of database settings to a buyer environment;

wherein the database settings comprise consultant-created metadata, the consultant-created metadata customizing an inherent data model of a database system based on the consultant'"'"'s subject-matter expertise;

wherein the inherent data model comprises system data structures, the consultant-created metadata customizing at least one of the system data structures so as to accommodate a functional nuance not accommodated by the inherent data model;

receiving, by the at least one server computer, business qualification information inputs from the consultant;

performing, by the at least one server computer, a consultant business qualification assessment;

executing, by the at least one server computer, a consultant agreement process; and

on the at least one server computer, granting, to the consultant, of selective access to transfer-environment applications.

34. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

receiving general data regarding consultant employees;

creating a skill profile regarding consultant employees;

creating a commodity profile regarding consultant employees;

creating a geographic sales profile regarding consultant employees;

receiving a request for professional services designation/qualification regarding consultant employees;

performing consultant professional services certification; and

facilitating establishment of consultant professional services pricing.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of creating the skill profile is performed via a standard skill profiling interface.

36. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

receiving a selection of a desired bundle of professional services;

saving settings relative to the desired bundle of professional services;

administering a consultant certification test; and

notifying the consultant regarding certification-test results.

32. A computer system for enabling transfer of business information from a consultant to a buyer, the computer system comprising:

a database system;

a server connected to the database system and connectable to the buyer and the consultant; and

wherein the server is operable to;

permit access by a consultant to a transfer environment that facilitates transfer of database settings to a buyer environment;

wherein the database settings comprise consultant-created metadata, the consultant-created metadata customizing an inherent data model of a database system based on the consultant'"'"'s subject-matter expertise;

wherein the inherent data model comprises system data structures, the consultant-created metadata customizing at least one of the system data structures so as to accommodate a functional nuance not accommodated by the inherent data model;

receive business qualification information inputs from the consultant;

perform a consultant business qualification assessment;

execute a consultant agreement process; and

grant, to the consultant, of selective access to transfer-environment applications.

33. The computer system of claim 32, wherein the server is connected to the database system to execute instructions to:

receive general data regarding consultant employees;

create a skill profile regarding consultant employees;

create a commodity profile regarding consultant employees;

create a geographic sales profile regarding consultant employees;

receive a request for professional services designation/qualification regarding consultant employees;

perform consultant professional services certification; and

facilitate establishment of consultant professional services pricing.