Providing supplier relationship management software application as enterprise services

• US 8,326,702 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2006
• Issued: 12/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Herrmann, Karina, Brossler, Andreas, Neumayer, Peter J., Biehler, Markus, Haybat, Hueseyin, Jungkind, Christoph, Hochwarth, Pascal, Mukundan, Shyam, Singh, Amrish, Brecht-Tillinger, Karin, Fitz, Peter, Sievers, Ralf, Gross, Antonia, Panzer, Brit, Sala, Paola, Wagner, Andre, Deledda, Giovanni, Reiner, Robert, Klehr, Benjamin, Reichardt, Torsten, Rummler, Zeno, Hoppe-Boeken, Tobias
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosen, Nicholas D
• Application Number:
  US11/396,258
• Publication Number:
  US 20070265860A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,441 Days
• Field of Search: 705/7, 705/26, 705/27, 705/5.11, 705/7.11, 705/26.35, 705/26.8, 705/26.81
• US Class Current: 705/26.8
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering

Abstract

Methods and apparatus, including systems and computer program products, for a services architecture design that provides enterprise services having supplier relationship management functionality at the level of an enterprise application. The design includes a set of service operations, process components, and optionally deployment units. Suitable business objects are also described.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a computer system comprising at least one hardware platform for executing computer software; and

computer software deployed on the computer system, the computer software implementing a plurality of service operations, the service operations comprising;

a create purchase order confirmation operation operable to send a notification to create a confirmation of a purchase order;

a change purchase order based on delivery values operation operable to send a notification to change the delivered quantity of a purchase order;

a request purchase order change operation operable to request a change in a purchase order;

a request purchase order cancellation operation operable to request to cancel a purchase order;

a request purchase order creation operation operable to request to create a purchase order;

a notify of purchase order operation operable to send a notification about a new purchase order to accounting;

a notify of purchase order operation operable to send a notification about a new purchase order to external procurement trigger and response and to project processing;

a maintain purchase request operation operable to send a notification to update an existing purchase order;

a confirm purchase request operation operable to send a notification to confirm a new purchase order;

a maintain purchasing contract release operation operable to send a notification to create or update purchasing contract releases;

a notify of product catalog operation operable to send a notification about a new product catalog;

a cancel goods and service acknowledgement operation operable to send a notification to cancel a goods and service acknowledgement;

a create goods and service acknowledgement operation operable to send a notification to create a goods and service acknowledgement based on service from a supplier;

a notify of invoicing due operation operable to send a notification about invoicing due based on a goods and service acknowledgement;

a notify of goods and service acknowledgement operation operable to send a notification about a goods and service acknowledgement;

a notify of invoice operation operable to send a notification to accounting about an invoice;

a notify of invoice cancellation operation operable to send a notification about the cancellation of an invoice;

a notify of invoice operation operable to send a notification to due item processing about an invoice;

a notify of invoice cancellation operation operable to request to cancel an existing invoice;

a confirm invoice operation operable to send a notification to confirm an invoice;

a request ERS invoice operation operable to request an ERS invoice;

a maintain supplier quote operation operable to send a notification to update a supplier quote;

a request quote creation operation operable to request to create a supplier quote;

a notify of request for quote cancellation operation operable to send a notification about the request to cancel a supplier quote;

a notify of request for quote change operation operable to send a notification about the request to change a supplier quote;

a request quote change operation operable to request to change a supplier quote; and

a notify of quote award operation operable to send a notification about a quote award.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the service operations further comprise:

a create purchase order based on winning quote operation operable to send a notification to create a purchase order from an accepted supplier quote;

a change purchase order based on invoiced values operation operable to send a notification to change a purchase order based on values in an invoice;

a notify of invoicing due operation operable to send a notification about an invoice due based on a purchase order that has been created, changed or cancelled;

a change purchase request operation operable to send a notification to update an existing purchase request;

a request RFQ (request for quote) execution operation operable to request a request for a quote execution;

a maintain purchasing contract operation operable to send a notification to update a purchasing contract;

a confirm request for quote operation operable to send a notification to confirm a request for quote for updating a purchasing contract;

a request RFQ execution operation operable to request a request for a quote execution;

a request RFQ cancellation operation operable to request a request for a quote cancellation;

a notify of invoicing due operation operable to send a notification about an invoice due based on a purchasing contract that has been created, changed or cancelled;

a confirm purchasing contract operation operable to send a notification to confirm a purchasing contract;

a notify of goods and service acknowledgement cancellation operation operable to send a notification about the cancellation of a goods and service acknowledgement;

a maintain invoice request operation operable to send a notification to update an invoice request;

a create invoice operation operable to send a notification to create an invoice based on a customer request;

a create invoice operation operable to send a notification to create an invoice based on a supplier request;

a notify of contract release operation operable to send a notification about a released contract;

a notify of invoiced values operation operable to send a notification about invoiced values;

a maintain request for quote operation operable to send a notification to update a request for quote;

a cancel request for quote operation operable to send a notification to cancel a request for quote;

a maintain supplier quote relations operation operable to send a notification to update supplier quote relations;

a confirm request for quote operation operable to send a notification to confirm a request for quote for updating purchase request processing and purchasing contract processing;

a request purchase order from winning quote operation operable to request to create a purchase order based on a winning quote;

a request contract from winning quote operation operable to request to create a contract based on a winning quote;

a change internal request based on procurement progress operation operable to change an internal request based on progress in procurement;

a request purchasing operation operable to request purchasing be made based on an internal request;

a request GSA based on delivery confirmation operation operable to request a goods and service acknowledgement be created based on the confirmation of a delivery; and

a request invoicing based on invoice acceptance operation operable to request an invoice be created for the complete open amount of requested goods or services.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the service operations are grouped into service interfaces, the service interfaces comprising:

a purchasing in interface that includes the create purchase order based on winning quote and the change purchase order based on delivery values service operations;

an invoice verification in interface that includes the change purchase order based on invoiced values service operation;

an ordering in interface that includes the create purchase order confirmation service operation;

an invoice verification out interface that includes the notify of invoicing due service operation;

an ordering out interface that includes the request purchase order change, the request purchase order cancellation, and the request purchase order creation service operations;

a purchasing out interface that includes the notify of purchase order service operation;

an order accounting out interface that includes the notify of purchase order service operation;

a request for quote in interface that includes the change purchase request service operation;

a purchasing in interface that includes the maintain purchase request service operation;

a request for quote out interface that includes the request RFQ execution service operation;

a purchasing out interface that includes the confirm purchase request service operation;

a contract maintenance in interface that includes the maintain purchasing contract service operation;

a request for quote in interface that includes the confirm request for quote service operation;

a contract release in interface that includes the maintain purchasing contract release service operation;

a request for quote out interface that includes the request RFQ execution and the request RFQ cancellation service operations;

a product catalog authoring out interface that includes the notify of product catalog service operation;

an invoice verification out interface that includes the notify of invoicing due service operation;

a purchasing contract out interface that includes the confirm purchasing contract service operation;

an internal acknowledgement in interface that includes the cancel goods and service acknowledgement and the create goods and service acknowledgement service operations;

an invoice verification out interface that includes the notify of invoicing due service operation;

a goods and service accounting out interface that includes the notify of goods and service acknowledgement and the notify of goods and service acknowledgement cancellation service operations;

an invoice verification in interface that includes the maintain invoice request service operation;

an internal invoicing in interface that includes the create invoice service operation;

an invoicing in interface that includes the create invoice service operation;

a contract release out interface that includes the notify of contract release service operation;

an invoice verification out interface that includes the notify of invoiced values service operation;

an invoice accounting out interface that includes the notify of invoice and the notify of invoice cancellation service operations;

a receivables payables out interface that includes the notify of invoice and the notify of invoice cancellation service operations;

an invoicing out interface that includes the confirm invoice service operation;

an ERS invoicing out interface that includes the request ERS invoice service operation;

a request for quote in interface that includes the maintain request for quote and the cancel request for quote service operations;

a purchasing contract in interface that includes the maintain supplier quote relations service operation;

a supplier quote processing in interface that includes the maintain supplier quote service operation;

a request for quote out interface that includes the confirm request for quote service operation;

a request quote processing out interface that includes the request quote creation, the notify of request for quote cancellation, and the notify of request for quote change service operations;

a purchasing out interface that includes the request purchase order from winning quote service operation;

a purchasing contract out interface that includes the request contract from winning quote service operation;

a supplier quote processing out interface that includes the request quote change service operation;

a supplier quote processing out interface that includes the notify of quote award service operation;

a purchasing in interface that includes the change internal request based on procurement progress service operation;

a purchasing out interface that includes the request purchasing service operation;

an internal acknowledgement out interface that includes the request GSA based on delivery confirmation service operation; and

an internal invoicing out interface that includes the request invoicing based on invoice acceptance service operation.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the computer software implementing the create purchase order based on winning quote operation, the change purchase order based on delivery values operation, the change purchase order based on invoiced values operation, the create purchase order confirmation operation, the notify of invoicing due operation, the request purchase order change operation, the request purchase order cancellation operation, the request purchase order creation operation, the notify of purchase order operation, the change purchase request operation, the maintain purchase request operation, the request RFQ execution operation, the confirm purchase request operation, the maintain purchasing contract operation, the confirm request for quote operation, the maintain purchasing contract release operation, the request RFQ execution operation, the request RFQ cancellation operation, the notify of product catalog operation, the notify of invoicing due operation, the confirm purchasing contract operation, the cancel goods and service acknowledgement operation, the create goods and service acknowledgement operation, the notify of invoicing due operation, the notify of goods and service acknowledgement operation, and the notify of goods and service acknowledgement cancellation operation is deployed on a first hardware platform;

the computer software implementing the maintain invoice request operation, the create invoice operation, the create invoice operation, the notify of contract release operation, the notify of invoiced values operation, the notify of invoice operation, the notify of invoice cancellation operation, the notify of invoice operation, the confirm invoice operation, and the request ERS invoice operation is deployed on a second hardware platform;

the computer software implementing the maintain request for quote operation, the cancel request for quote operation, the maintain supplier quote relations operation, the maintain supplier quote operation, the confirm request for quote operation, the request quote creation operation, the notify of request for quote cancellation operation, the notify of request for quote change operation, the request purchase order from winning quote operation, the request contract from winning quote operation, the request quote change operation, and the notify of quote award operation is deployed on a third hardware platform; and

the computer software implementing the change internal request based on procurement progress operation, the request purchasing operation, the request GSA based on delivery confirmation operation, and the request invoicing based on invoice acceptance operation is deployed on a fourth hardware platform.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein each of the first through the fourth hardware platforms are distinct and separate from each other.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the computer software implementing the create purchase order based on winning quote operation, the change purchase order based on delivery values operation, the change purchase order based on invoiced values operation, the create purchase order confirmation operation, the notify of invoicing due operation, the request purchase order change operation, the request purchase order cancellation operation, the request purchase order creation operation, the notify of purchase order operation, the notify of purchase order operation, the change purchase request operation, the maintain purchase request operation, the request RFQ execution operation, the confirm purchase request operation, the maintain purchasing contract operation, the confirm request for quote operation, the maintain purchasing contract release operation, the request RFQ execution operation, the request RFQ cancellation operation, the notify of product catalog operation, the notify of invoicing due operation, the confirm purchasing contract operation, the cancel goods and service acknowledgement operation, the create goods and service acknowledgement operation, the notify of invoicing due operation, the notify of goods and service acknowledgement operation, and the notify of goods and service acknowledgement cancellation operation is deployable on a first hardware platform;

the computer software implementing the maintain invoice request operation, the create invoice operation, the notify of contract release operation, the notify of invoiced values operation, the notify of invoice operation, the notify of invoice cancellation operation, the confirm invoice operation, and the request ERS invoice operation is deployable on a second hardware platform;

the computer software implementing the maintain request for quote operation, the cancel request for quote operation, the maintain supplier quote relations operation, the maintain supplier quote operation, the confirm request for quote operation, the request quote creation operation, the notify of request for quote cancellation operation, the notify of request for quote change operation, the request purchase order from winning quote operation, the request contract from winning quote operation, the request quote change operation, and the notify of quote award operation is deployable on a third hardware platform; and

the computer software implementing the change internal request based on procurement progress operation, the request purchasing operation, the request GSA based on delivery confirmation operation, and the request invoicing based on invoice acceptance operation is deployable on a fourth hardware platform;

and wherein;

the first through the fourth hardware platforms are distinct and separate from each other.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer software deployed on the computer system comprises:

a plurality of process components, each of the process components being a package of software deployed and executing on the computer system and implementing a respective and distinct business process, the plurality of process components including;

a purchase order processing process component handling purchase orders from purchasers to external suppliers requesting to deliver a specified quantity of goods, or to perform a specified service, within a specified time;

a purchase request processing process component handling requests or instructions to the purchasing department to purchase specified goods or services in specified quantities within a specified time;

a purchasing contract processing process component handling agreements between a purchaser and a supplier that cover the supply of goods or the performance of services at agreed conditions;

a goods and service acknowledgement process component used by purchasers to report the receipt of goods and services, and by suppliers to report that they have delivered the requested goods or have rendered the requested services;

a supplier invoice processing process component handling invoice documents that state the recipients'"'"' obligation to pay the suppliers for goods received or services rendered;

a request for quote processing process component handling the description of materials and services that purchasers use to request responses from potential suppliers, and the resulting quotes from the suppliers offering to sell goods and services at a certain price; and

an internal request processing process component handling requests made by employees of a company for the procurement of goods for their own use, or services for company use;

and wherein;

the purchase order processing process component implements the create purchase order based on winning quote, the change purchase order based on delivery values, the change purchase order based on invoiced values, the create purchase order confirmation, the notify of invoicing due, the request purchase order change, the request purchase order cancellation, the request purchase order creation, the notify of purchase order, and the notify of purchase order service operations;

the purchase request processing process component implements the change purchase request, the maintain purchase request, the request RFQ execution, and the confirm purchase request service operations;

the purchasing contract processing process component implements the maintain purchasing contract, the confirm request for quote, the maintain purchasing contract release, the request RFQ execution, the request RFQ cancellation, the notify of product catalog, the notify of invoicing due, and the confirm purchasing contract service operations;

the goods and service acknowledgement process component implements the cancel goods and service acknowledgement, the create goods and service acknowledgement, the notify of invoicing due, the notify of goods and service acknowledgement, and the notify of goods and service acknowledgement cancellation service operations;

the supplier invoice processing process component implements the maintain invoice request, the create invoice, the notify of contract release, the notify of invoiced values, the notify of invoice, the notify of invoice cancellation, the confirm invoice, and the request ERS invoice service operations;

the request for quote processing process component implements the maintain request for quote, the cancel request for quote, the maintain supplier quote relations, the maintain supplier quote, the confirm request for quote, the request quote creation, the notify of request for quote cancellation, the notify of request for quote change, the request purchase order from winning quote, the request contract from winning quote, the request quote change, and the notify of quote award service operations; and

the internal request processing process component implements the change internal request based on procurement progress, the request purchasing, the request GSA based on delivery confirmation, and the request invoicing based on invoice acceptance service operations.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer software deployed on the computer system comprises:

a plurality of deployment units, each of the deployment units being a package of software packaged together to be deployed on a single physical hardware platform, the plurality of deployment units including;

a purchasing deployment unit handling aspects of purchasing goods and services including purchase order processing, purchase request processing, purchasing contract processing, and goods and service acknowledgement;

a supplier invoicing deployment unit handling invoice documents that state the recipients'"'"' obligation to pay the suppliers for goods received or services rendered;

a request for quote processing deployment unit handling the description of materials and services that purchasers use to request responses from potential suppliers, and the resulting quotes from the suppliers offering to sell goods and services at a certain price; and

a requisitioning deployment unit handling requests made by employees of a company for the procurement of goods for their own use, or services for company use;

and wherein;

the purchasing deployment unit implements the create purchase order based on winning quote, the change purchase order based on delivery values, the change purchase order based on invoiced values, the create purchase order confirmation, the notify of invoicing due, the request purchase order change, the request purchase order cancellation, the request purchase order creation, the notify of purchase order, the change purchase request, the maintain purchase request, the request RFQ execution, the confirm purchase request, the maintain purchasing contract, the confirm request for quote, the maintain purchasing contract release, the request RFQ execution, the request RFQ cancellation, the notify of product catalog, the notify of invoicing due, the confirm purchasing contract, the cancel goods and service acknowledgement, the create goods and service acknowledgement, the notify of invoicing due, the notify of goods and service acknowledgement, and the notify of goods and service acknowledgement cancellation service operations;

the supplier invoicing deployment unit implements the maintain invoice request, the create invoice, the notify of contract release, the notify of invoiced values, the notify of invoice, the notify of invoice cancellation, the confirm invoice, and the request ERS invoice service operations;

the request for quote processing deployment unit implements the maintain request for quote, the cancel request for quote, the maintain supplier quote relations, the maintain supplier quote, the confirm request for quote, the request quote creation, the notify of request for quote cancellation, the notify of request for quote change, the request purchase order from winning quote, the request contract from winning quote, the request quote change, and the notify of quote award service operations; and

the requisitioning deployment unit implements the change internal request based on procurement progress, the request purchasing, the request GSA based on delivery confirmation, and the request invoicing based on invoice acceptance service operations.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a repository of service descriptions, the repository including a standards-based description of each of the plurality of service operations.

10. A computer program product encoded on a tangible machine-readable information carrier for implementing a plurality of services, the product comprising computer software operable to implement service operations on a computer system, the service operations comprising:

a create purchase order confirmation operation operable to send a notification to create a confirmation of a purchase order;

a change purchase order based on delivery values operation operable to send a notification to change the delivered quantity of a purchase order;

a request purchase order change operation operable to request a change in a purchase order;

a request purchase order cancellation operation operable to request to cancel a purchase order;

a request purchase order creation operation operable to request to create a purchase order;

a notify of purchase order operation operable to send a notification about a new purchase order to accounting;

a notify of purchase order operation operable to send a notification about a new purchase order to external procurement trigger and response and to project processing;

a maintain purchase request operation operable to send a notification to update an existing purchase order;

a confirm purchase request operation operable to send a notification to confirm a new purchase order;

a maintain purchasing contract release operation operable to send a notification to create or update purchasing contract releases;

a notify of product catalog operation operable to send a notification about a new product catalog;

a cancel goods and service acknowledgement operation operable to send a notification to cancel a goods and service acknowledgement;

a create goods and service acknowledgement operation operable to send a notification to create a goods and service acknowledgement based on service from a supplier;

a notify of invoicing due operation operable to send a notification about invoicing due based on a goods and service acknowledgement;

a notify of goods and service acknowledgement operation operable to send a notification about a goods and service acknowledgement;

a notify of invoice operation operable to send a notification to accounting about an invoice;

a notify of invoice cancellation operation operable to send a notification about the cancellation of an invoice;

a notify of invoice operation operable to send a notification to due item processing about an invoice;

a notify of invoice cancellation operation operable to request to cancel an existing invoice;

a confirm invoice operation operable to send a notification to confirm an invoice;

a request ERS invoice operation operable to request an ERS invoice;

a maintain supplier quote operation operable to send a notification to update a supplier quote;

a request quote creation operation operable to request to create a supplier quote;

a notify of request for quote cancellation operation operable to send a notification about the request to cancel a supplier quote;

a notify of request for quote change operation operable to send a notification about the request to change a supplier quote;

a request quote change operation operable to request to change a supplier quote; and

a notify of quote award operation operable to send a notification about a quote award.

11. The product of claim 10, wherein the service operations further comprise:

a create purchase order based on winning quote operation operable to send a notification to create a purchase order from an accepted supplier quote;

a change purchase order based on invoiced values operation operable to send a notification to change a purchase order based on values in an invoice;

a notify of invoicing due operation operable to send a notification about an invoice due based on a purchase order that has been created, changed or cancelled;

a change purchase request operation operable to send a notification to update an existing purchase request;

a request RFQ (request for quote) execution operation operable to request a request for a quote execution;

a maintain purchasing contract operation operable to send a notification to update a purchasing contract;

a confirm request for quote operation operable to send a notification to confirm a request for quote for updating a purchasing contract;

a request RFQ execution operation operable to request a request for a quote execution;

a request RFQ cancellation operation operable to request a request for a quote cancellation;

a notify of invoicing due operation operable to send a notification about an invoice due based on a purchasing contract that has been created, changed or cancelled;

a confirm purchasing contract operation operable to send a notification to confirm a purchasing contract;

a notify of goods and service acknowledgement cancellation operation operable to send a notification about the cancellation of a goods and service acknowledgement;

a maintain invoice request operation operable to send a notification to update an invoice request;

a create invoice operation operable to send a notification to create an invoice based on a customer request;

a create invoice operation operable to send a notification to create an invoice based on a supplier request;

a notify of contract release operation operable to send a notification about a released contract;

a notify of invoiced values operation operable to send a notification about invoiced values;

a maintain request for quote operation operable to send a notification to update a request for quote;

a cancel request for quote operation operable to send a notification to cancel a request for quote;

a maintain supplier quote relations operation operable to send a notification to update supplier quote relations;

a confirm request for quote operation operable to send a notification to confirm a request for quote for updating purchase request processing and purchasing contract processing;

a request purchase order from winning quote operation operable to request to create a purchase order based on a winning quote;

a request contract from winning quote operation operable to request to create a contract based on a winning quote;

a change internal request based on procurement progress operation operable to change an internal request based on progress in procurement;

a request purchasing operation operable to request purchasing be made based on an internal request;

a request GSA based on delivery confirmation operation operable to request a goods and service acknowledgement be created based on the confirmation of a delivery; and

a request invoicing based on invoice acceptance operation operable to request an invoice be created for the complete open amount of requested goods or services.

12. The product of claim 10, wherein the computer software comprises:

a plurality of process components, each of the process components being a package of software deployed and executing on the computer system and implementing a respective and distinct business process, the plurality of process components including;

a purchase order processing process component handling purchase orders from purchasers to external suppliers requesting to deliver a specified quantity of goods, or to perform a specified service, within a specified time;

a purchase request processing process component handling requests or instructions to the purchasing department to purchase specified goods or services in specified quantities within a specified time;

a purchasing contract processing process component handling agreements between a purchaser and a supplier that cover the supply of goods or the performance of services at agreed conditions;

a goods and service acknowledgement process component used by purchasers to report the receipt of goods and services, and by suppliers to report that they have delivered the requested goods or have rendered the requested services;

a supplier invoice processing process component handling invoice documents that state the recipients'"'"' obligation to pay the suppliers for goods received or services rendered;

a request for quote processing process component handling the description of materials and services that purchasers use to request responses from potential suppliers, and the resulting quotes from the suppliers offering to sell goods and services at a certain price; and

an internal request processing process component handling requests made by employees of a company for the procurement of goods for their own use, or services for company use;

and wherein;

the purchase order processing process component implements the create purchase order based on winning quote, the change purchase order based on delivery values, the change purchase order based on invoiced values, the create purchase order confirmation, the notify of invoicing due, the request purchase order change, the request purchase order cancellation, the request purchase order creation, the notify of purchase order, and the notify of purchase order service operations;

the purchase request processing process component implements the change purchase request, the maintain purchase request, the request RFQ execution, and the confirm purchase request service operations;

the purchasing contract processing process component implements the maintain purchasing contract, the confirm request for quote, the maintain purchasing contract release, the request RFQ execution, the request RFQ cancellation, the notify of product catalog, the notify of invoicing due, and the confirm purchasing contract service operations;

the goods and service acknowledgement process component implements the cancel goods and service acknowledgement, the create goods and service acknowledgement, the notify of invoicing due, the notify of goods and service acknowledgement, and the notify of goods and service acknowledgement cancellation service operations;

the supplier invoice processing process component implements the maintain invoice request, the create invoice, the notify of contract release, the notify of invoiced values, the notify of invoice, the notify of invoice cancellation, the confirm invoice, and the request ERS invoice service operations;

the request for quote processing process component implements the maintain request for quote, the cancel request for quote, the maintain supplier quote relations, the maintain supplier quote, the confirm request for quote, the request quote creation, the notify of request for quote cancellation, the notify of request for quote change, the request purchase order from winning quote, the request contract from winning quote, the request quote change, and the notify of quote award service operations; and

the internal request processing process component implements the change internal request based on procurement progress, the request purchasing, the request GSA based on delivery confirmation, and the request invoicing based on invoice acceptance service operations.

13. The product of claim 12, wherein:

each of the plurality of process components is assigned to no more than one deployment unit among multiple deployment units, and each deployment unit is deployable on a separate computer hardware platform independent of every other deployment unit; and

all interaction between a process component in one deployment unit and any other process component in any other deployment unit takes place through the respective service operations of the two process components.

14. The product of claim 13, wherein the deployment units comprise:

a purchasing deployment unit that includes the purchase order processing, the purchase request processing, the purchasing contract processing, and the goods and service acknowledgement process components;

wherein;

a supplier invoicing deployment unit includes the supplier invoice processing process component;

a request for quote processing deployment unit includes the request for quote processing process component; and

a requisitioning deployment unit includes the internal request processing process component.

15. The product of claim 12, wherein:

the purchase order processing process component includes a purchase order business object and a purchase order confirmation business object, wherein the purchase order business object is responsible for the request from a purchaser to an external supplier to deliver a specified quantity of goods (or perform a specified service) within a specified time, and the purchase order confirmation business object is responsible for the confirmation from an external supplier to the request of a purchaser to deliver a specified quantity of material (or perform a specified service) at a specified price within a specified time;

the purchase request processing process component includes a purchase request business object, wherein the purchase request business object is responsible for the request or instruction to the purchasing department to purchase specified goods or services in specified quantities within a specified time;

the purchasing contract processing process component includes a purchasing contract business object, wherein the purchasing contract business object is responsible for the agreement between a purchaser and a supplier that covers the supply of goods or the performance of services at agreed conditions;

the goods and service acknowledgement process component includes a goods and service acknowledgement business object, wherein the goods and service acknowledgement business object is responsible for the document reporting the receipt of goods and services;

the supplier invoice processing process component includes a supplier invoice request business object, an evaluated receipt settlement run business object, a supplier invoice business object, and a supplier invoice verification exception business object, wherein the supplier invoice request business object is responsible for the document that is sent to invoice verification advising that an invoice for specified quantities and prices is expected, the evaluated receipt settlement run business object is responsible for supplier invoices of type credit memo, the supplier invoice business object is responsible for the document that states the recipient'"'"'s (usually the purchaser'"'"'s) obligation to pay the supplier for goods received or services rendered, and the supplier invoice verification exception business object is responsible for a group of related issues arising during a supplier invoice verification process;

the request for quote processing process component includes a request for quote business object and a supplier quote business object, wherein the business object is responsible for the request from a buyer to a bidder to submit a quote for a material or a service according to specified criteria, and the business object is responsible for the response to a request for quote, in which a supplier offers to sell materials and services according to the requested criteria; and

the internal request processing process component includes an internal request business object, wherein the business object is responsible for the request for the procurement of goods or services.

16. The product of claim 12, wherein:

each of the process components includes at least one business object; and

none of the business objects of any one of the process components interacts directly with any of the business objects included in any of the other process components.

17. The product of claim 16, wherein the business objects comprise a business process object.

18. The product of claim 16, wherein:

none of the business objects included in any one of the process components is included in any of the other process components.

19. The product of claim 10, wherein the computer software comprises:

a plurality of deployment units, each of the deployment units being a package of software packaged together to be deployed on a single physical hardware platform, the plurality of deployment units including;

a purchasing deployment unit that includes a purchase order, a purchase order confirmation, a purchase request, a purchasing contract and a goods and service acknowledgement business object, wherein the purchase order business object represents a request from a purchaser to an external supplier to deliver a specified quantity of goods (or perform a specified service) within a specified time, the purchase order confirmation business object represents a confirmation from an external supplier to the request of a purchaser to deliver a specified quantity of material (or perform a specified service) at a specified price within a specified time, the purchase request business object represents a request or instruction to the purchasing department to purchase specified goods or services in specified quantities within a specified time, the purchasing contract business object represents an agreement between a purchaser and a supplier that covers the supply of goods or the performance of services at agreed conditions, and the goods and service acknowledgement business object represents a document reporting the receipt of goods and services;

a supplier invoicing deployment unit that includes a supplier invoice request, an evaluated receipt settlement run, a supplier invoice and a supplier invoice verification exception business object, wherein the supplier invoice request business object represents a document that is sent to invoice verification advising that an invoice for specified quantities and prices is expected, the evaluated receipt settlement run business object represents supplier invoices of type credit memo, the supplier invoice business object represents a document that states the recipient'"'"'s (usually the purchaser'"'"'s) obligation to pay the supplier for goods received or services rendered, and the supplier invoice verification exception business object represents a group of related issues arising during a supplier invoice verification process;

a request for quote processing deployment unit that includes a request for quote and a supplier quote business object, wherein the request for quote business object represents a request from a buyer to a bidder to submit a quote for a material or a service according to specified criteria, and the supplier quote business object represents a response to a request for quote, in which a supplier offers to sell materials and services according to the requested criteria; and

a requisitioning deployment unit that includes an internal request business object, wherein the internal request business object represents a request for the procurement of goods or services.

20. The product of claim 10, further comprising:

a purchasing deployment unit that implements the create purchase order based on winning quote, the change purchase order based on delivery values, the change purchase order based on invoiced values, the create purchase order confirmation, the notify of invoicing due, the request purchase order change, the request purchase order cancellation, the request purchase order creation, the notify of purchase order, the change purchase request, the maintain purchase request, the request RFQ execution, the confirm purchase request, the maintain purchasing contract, the confirm request for quote, the maintain purchasing contract release, the request RFQ execution, the request RFQ cancellation, the notify of product catalog, the notify of invoicing due, the confirm purchasing contract, the cancel goods and service acknowledgement, the create goods and service acknowledgement, the notify of invoicing due, the notify of goods and service acknowledgement, and the notify of goods and service acknowledgement cancellation service operations;

a supplier invoicing deployment unit that implements the maintain invoice request, the create invoice, the notify of contract release, the notify of invoiced values, the notify of invoice, the notify of invoice cancellation, the confirm invoice, and the request ERS invoice service operations;

a request for quote processing deployment unit that implements the maintain request for quote, the cancel request for quote, the maintain supplier quote relations, the maintain supplier quote, the confirm request for quote, the request quote creation, the notify of request for quote cancellation, the notify of request for quote change, the request purchase order from winning quote, the request contract from winning quote, the request quote change, and the notify of quote award service operations; and

a requisitioning deployment unit that implements the change internal request based on procurement progress, the request purchasing, the request GSA based on delivery confirmation, and the request invoicing based on invoice acceptance service operations.

21. The product of claim 10, further comprising:

a plurality of process agents, each process agent being either an inbound process agent or an outbound process agent, an inbound process agent being operable to receive a message from an inbound operation, an outbound process agent being operable to cause an outbound operation to send a message, each process agent being associated with exactly one process component;

wherein;

the inbound process agents comprise a first inbound process agent operable to start the execution of the step requested in a first inbound message by creating or updating at least one business object instance; and

the outbound process agents comprise a first asynchronous outbound process agent that is called after a business object that is associated with the first outbound process agent changes.

22. A computer-implemented method for causing at least one processor to provide services from a computer system having supplier relationship management functionality, the method comprising the following steps performed by the at least one processor:

providing services through the sending of electronic messages associated with at least one operation from a first process component to at least one other process component, the electronic messages including;

a notification to create a purchase order from an accepted supplier quote;

a notification to change the delivered quantity of a purchase order;

a notification to change a purchase order based on values in an invoice;

a notification to create a confirmation of a purchase order;

a notification about an invoice due based on a purchase order that has been created, changed or cancelled;

a notification requesting a change in a purchase order;

a notification requesting to cancel a purchase order;

a notification requesting to create a purchase order;

a notification about a new purchase order to external procurement trigger and response and to project processing;

a notification about a new purchase order to accounting;

a notification to update an existing purchase request;

a notification to update an existing purchase order;

a notification requesting a request for a quote execution;

a notification to confirm a new purchase order;

a notification to update a purchasing contract;

a notification to confirm a request for quote for updating a purchasing contract;

a notification to create or update purchasing contract releases;

a notification requesting a request for a quote execution;

a notification requesting a request for a quote cancellation;

a notification about a new product catalog;

a notification about an invoice due based on a purchasing contract that has been created, changed or cancelled;

a notification to confirm a purchasing contract;

a notification to cancel a goods and service acknowledgement;

a notification to create a goods and service acknowledgement based on an internal request;

a notification about an invoicing due based on a goods and service acknowledgement;

a notification about a goods and service acknowledgement;

a notification about the cancellation of a goods and service acknowledgement;

a notification to update an invoice request;

a notification to create an invoice based on a customer request;

a notification to create an invoice based on a supplier request;

a notification about a released contract;

a notification about invoiced values;

a notification to accounting about an invoice;

a notification about the cancellation of an invoice;

a notification to due item processing about an invoice;

a notification requesting to cancel an existing invoice;

a notification to confirm an invoice;

a notification requesting an ERS invoice;

a notification to update a request for quote;

a notification to cancel a request for quote;

a notification to update supplier quote relations;

a notification to update a supplier quote;

a notification to confirm a request for quote for updating purchase request processing and purchasing contract processing;

a notification requesting to create a supplier quote;

a notification about the request to cancel a supplier quote;

a notification about the request to change a supplier quote;

a notification requesting to create a purchase order based on a winning quote;

a notification requesting to create a contract based on a winning quote;

a notification requesting to change a supplier quote;

a notification about a quote award;

a notification to change an internal request based on progress in procurement;

a notification requesting purchasing be made based on an internal request;

a notification requesting a goods and service acknowledgement be created based on the confirmation of a delivery; and

a notification requesting an invoice be created for the complete open amount of requested goods or services; and

receiving at least one electronic message at the first process component responsive to at least one of the sent electronic messages.