Tracking of computer components allocated during configuration of computer systems and networks by a simplified user friendly configuration process

• US 6,336,101 B1
• Filed: 09/24/1998
• Issued: 01/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Howard, Jeffrey Langdon, Dean, Jeffrey Randell, Rodriguez, Ingrid Milagros
• Primary Examiner(s): Downs, Robert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): AKERS, GEOFFREY R
• Application Number:
  US09/159,954
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: 705/29, 705/8, 705/1, 705/28
• US Class Current: 705/29
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials

Abstract

A user interactive display computer process and program, provided by a distributer of computer components to a seller of computer systems, for configuring computer systems and networks including the computer components. The process involves prompting system purchasers to make a sequence of interactive data entries, each of said entries relative to the data processing needs of the purchaser using one of said computer systems and networks and then allocating the computer components to the networks and systems based upon said user entries. The quantities of the computer components thereby allocated to computer systems sold by said seller to said purchasers during a selected time period are tracked and stored. Then, a determination is made as to whether the quantities of components thereby allocated during the time period exceed a selected level and if the level is exceeded, fees due from said seller to said distributer for said process are foregone.

Claims

1. In a user interactive display computer process, provided by a distributer of computer components to a seller of computer systems, for configuring computer systems including said computer components, steps comprising:

prompting system purchasers to make a sequence of interactive data entries, each of said entries relative to the data processing needs of the purchaser using one of said computer systems,

allocating said computer components to said computer systems based upon said user entries,

tracking the quantities of said computer components thereby allocated to computer systems sold by said seller to said purchasers during a selected time period, and

determining to forego fees due from said seller to said distributer for said process when said quantities of components thereby allocated during said time period exceed a selected level.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein said data entries cover a demographic aspect of the business environment of the purchaser of the system.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein said allocated computer components are of different types,

the quantities of each of said different types are tracked, and

said fees are determined to be foregone when the quantity of at least one of said different types of components allocated during said time period exceeds selected levels.

4. In a user interactive display computer process, provided by a distributer of computer components to a seller of computer systems, for configuring a network comprising a server computer and a plurality of client computers including said computer components, steps comprising:

prompting network purchasers to make a sequence of interactive data entries, each of said entries relative to the data processing needs of users of said computers in said network,

allocating said computer components within said network upon said entries,

tracking the quantities of said computer components thereby allocated to computer networks sold by said seller to said purchasers during a selected time period, and

determining to forego fees due from said seller to said distributer for said process when said quantities of components thereby allocated during said time period exceed a selected level.

5. The process of claim 4 wherein said data entries cover a demographic aspect of the business environment of said network.

6. The process of claim 4 wherein said allocated computer components are of different types,

the quantities of each of said different types are tracked, and

said fees are determined to be foregone when the quantity of at least one of said different types of components allocated during said time period exceeds selected levels.

7. The process of claim 4 wherein said server computer is an interactive display computer and said data entries are made into said server computer and said steps of allocating and tracking are carried out on said server computer.

8. A computer program having program code included on a computer readable medium operable in a user interactive display computer process, provided by a distributer of computer components to a seller of computer systems, for configuring computer systems including said computer components, comprising:

means for prompting system purchasers to make a sequence of interactive data entries, each of said entries relative to the data processing needs of the purchaser using one of said computer systems,

means for allocating said computer components to said computer systems based upon said user entries,

means for tracking the quantities of said computer components thereby allocated to computer systems sold by said seller to said purchasers during a selected time period, and

means determining to forego fees due from said seller to said distributer for said process when said quantities of components thereby allocated during said time period exceeds a selected level.

9. The computer program of claim 8 wherein said data entries cover a demographic aspect of the business environment of the purchaser of the system.

10. The computer program of claim 8 wherein said allocated computer components are of different types,

the quantities of each of said different types are tracked by said tracking means, and

said fees are determined to be foregone when the quantity of at least one of said different types of components allocated during said time period exceed selected levels.

11. A computer program having program code included on a computer readable medium operable in a user interactive display computer process, provided by a distributer of computer components to a seller of computer systems, for configuring a network having a server computer and a plurality of client computers including said computer components, steps comprising:

means for prompting network purchasers to make a sequence of interactive data entries, each of said entries relative to the data processing needs of users of said computers in said network,

means for allocating said computer components within said network upon said entries,

means for tracking the quantities of said computer components thereby allocated to computer networks sold by said seller to said purchasers during a selected time period, and

means for determining to forego fees due from said seller to said distributer for said process when said quantities of components thereby allocated during said time period exceed a selected level.

12. The computer program of claim 11 wherein said data entries cover a demographic aspect of the business environment of said network.

13. The computer program of claim 11 wherein said allocated computer components are of different types,

the quantities of each of said different types are tracked in said tracking means, and

said fees are determined to be foregone when the quantity of at least one of said different types of components allocated during said time period exceed selected levels.

14. The computer program of claim 11 wherein said server computer is an interactive display computer and said data entries are made into said server computer and said means for allocating and tracking are in said server computer.