System and method for enabling and maintaining vendor qualification

Abstract

A computer system and method is disclosed for pre-qualifying vendors for buyers and/or industries using vendor criteria information associated with buyers and/or industries and vendor qualification information associated with vendors. Vendors and buyers enter the vendor qualification information and vendor criteria information, respectively, into a database in a hierarchical and relational manner. The computer system compares entered vendor qualification information to stored vendor criteria information to pre-qualify vendors for buyers and/or industries. The computer system further monitors the stored vendor qualification information and requests updated vendor qualification information from the vendors to maintain vendor qualification on a per industry and/or per buyer basis.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A computer system for qualifying a vendor for a qualifier, comprising: 
 a web server configured to receive vendor qualification information associated with the vendor via a data network;    a database configured to store said vendor qualification information and vendor criteria information associated with the qualifier; and    a qualification tool configured to compare said vendor qualification information to said vendor criteria information to qualify the vendor for the qualifier.    
     
     
         2 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein said database is further capable of storing additional vendor qualification information associated with an additional vendor and additional vendor criteria information associated with an additional qualifier.  
     
     
         3 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein said qualifier is a buyer and said web server is associated with the buyer, said vendor criteria information being buyer-defined vendor criteria information established by the buyer.  
     
     
         4 . The computer system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a vendor browser associated with the vendor, said vendor browser having a data connection with said web server to enable the vendor to enter said vendor qualification information into said database.    
     
     
         5 . The computer system of  claim 4 , wherein said web server is further capable of selectively providing an e-mail notification message to said vendor browser indicating whether the vendor is qualified for the qualifier.  
     
     
         6 . The computer system of  claim 4 , wherein said web server is further capable of pushing one or more web pages at a time to said vendor browser, said one or more web pages including vendor selection data for use by the vendor in entering said vendor qualification information.  
     
     
         7 . The computer system of  claim 6 , wherein said web server uses said vendor qualification information entered in response to said one or more web pages to determine one or more additional web pages to be pushed to said vendor browser.  
     
     
         8 . The computer system of  claim 7 , wherein said database is further configured to store vendor fields containing said vendor selection data.  
     
     
         9 . The computer system of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a vendor module configured to populate said one or more web pages with said vendor selection data from said vendor fields and store said vendor qualification information entered by the vendor within said database.    
     
     
         10 . The computer system of  claim 9 , wherein said database is further configured to store said vendor qualification information entered by the vendor in a vendor record.  
     
     
         11 . The computer system of  claim 9 , wherein said vendor fields are arranged in a hierarchical and relational structure and said vendor qualification information stored in said database is arranged in a hierarchical and relational structure mirroring select ones of said vendor fields.  
     
     
         12 . The computer system of  claim 11 , wherein said vendor fields are in a table-driven format that is configurable and scalable based upon the vendor and the computer system.  
     
     
         13 . The computer system of  claim 11 , wherein said vendor qualification information includes vendor profiling information to categorize the types of goods and services the vendor provides, said vendor fields including vendor profiling fields to solicit said vendor profiling information from the vendor.  
     
     
         14 . The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein said vendor profiling fields are organized into hierarchical tables, each of said hierarchical tables including vendor selection data having one or more vendor profiling selections, said one or more web pages pushed to said vendor browser including said one or more vendor profiling selections of a first one of said hierarchical tables and said one or more additional web pages pushed to said vendor browser including said one or more vendor profiling selections of a second one of said hierarchical tables.  
     
     
         15 . The computer system of  claim 14 , wherein said vendor profiling information entered by the vendor in response to said one or more web pages includes a select one of said vendor profiling selections, said second hierarchical table being selected by said vendor module based upon said select vendor profiling selection entered by the vendor.  
     
     
         16 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the qualifier is a buyer, and further comprising: 
 a buyer browser associated with the buyer, said buyer browser having a data connection with said web server to enter said vendor criteria information associated with the buyer into said database.    
     
     
         17 . The computer system of  claim 16 , wherein said web server is further capable of pushing one or more web pages at a time to said buyer browser, said one or more web pages including buyer selection data for use by the buyer in entering said vendor criteria information.  
     
     
         18 . The computer system of  claim 17 , wherein said web server uses said vendor criteria information entered in response to said one or more web pages to determine one or more additional web pages to be pushed to said buyer browser.  
     
     
         19 . The computer system of  claim 18 , wherein said database is further configured to store buyer fields containing said buyer selection data.  
     
     
         20 . The computer system of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 a buyer module configured to populate said one or more web pages with said buyer selection data from said buyer fields and store said vendor criteria information entered by the buyer within said database.    
     
     
         21 . The computer system of  claim 20 , wherein said database is further configured to store said vendor criteria information entered by the buyer in a buyer record.  
     
     
         22 . The computer system of  claim 20 , wherein said buyer fields are arranged in a hierarchical and relational structure and said vendor criteria information stored in said database is arranged in a hierarchical and relational structure mirroring select ones of said buyer fields, said vendor qualification information being further arranged in a hierarchical and relational structure to enable comparison of said vendor qualification information and said vendor criteria information by said qualification tool.  
     
     
         23 . The computer system of  claim 22 , wherein said buyer fields are in a table-driven format that is configurable and scalable based on the buyer and the computer system.  
     
     
         24 . The computer system of  claim 23 , wherein said vendor criteria information includes vendor profiling information to categorize the types of goods and services the buyer has a need for, said buyer fields including vendor profiling fields to solicit said vendor profiling information from the buyer.  
     
     
         25 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the qualifier is an industry and said vendor criteria information is industry-related vendor criteria information associated with the industry, said industry-related vendor criteria information indicating industry-defined requirements for the vendor to do business in the industry.  
     
     
         26 . The computer system of  claim 25 , wherein said industry-related vendor criteria information is arranged in a hierarchical and relational structure and said vendor qualification information is arranged in a hierarchical and relational structure to enable comparison of said vendor qualification information and said industry-related vendor criteria information by said qualification tool.  
     
     
         27 . The computer system of  claim 25 , wherein said database is further configured to store said industry-related vendor criteria information in an industry record.  
     
     
         28 . The computer system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an input device configured to enable a user of the computer system to enter verification information associated with said vendor qualification information into said database; and    a user interface configured to provide the user with verification request information requesting the user verify said vendor qualification information and enter said verification information into said database.    
     
     
         29 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein said database is further configured to store a vendor list capable of including one or more qualified qualifiers, said qualification tool populating said vendor list with the qualifier when said vendor qualification information matches said vendor criteria information associated with the qualifier.  
     
     
         30 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the qualifier is a buyer and said database is further configured to store a buyer list associated with the buyer capable of including one or more qualified vendors, said qualification tool populating said buyer list with the vendor when said vendor qualification information matches said vendor criteria information associated with the buyer.  
     
     
         31 . The computer system of  claim 30 , wherein said buyer list further includes at least a portion of said vendor qualification information associated with the vendor.  
     
     
         32 . The computer system of  claim 30 , further comprising: 
 a buyer database associated with the buyer, said buyer list being downloaded to said buyer database from said database storing said vendor qualification information and said vendor criteria information.    
     
     
         33 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the qualifier is an industry and said database is further configured to store an industry list capable of including one or more qualified vendors, said qualification tool populating said industry list with the vendor when said vendor qualification information matches said vendor criteria information associated with the industry.  
     
     
         34 . The computer system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a maintenance tool configured to interface with said database to monitor said vendor qualification information, request updated vendor qualification information from the vendor and store said updated vendor qualification information in the database to maintain qualification of the vendor for the qualifier.    
     
     
         35 . The computer system of  claim 34 , wherein said vendor qualification information includes a data renewal date, said maintenance tool being configured to request said updated vendor qualification information prior to or on said data renewal date.  
     
     
         36 . The computer system of  claim 35 , wherein said vendor qualification information further includes a data expiration date associated with a particular data entry within said vendor qualification information, said maintenance tool being configured to request said updated vendor qualification information prior to or on said data expiration date.  
     
     
         37 . The computer system of  claim 36 , wherein said maintenance tool is further configured to remove the vendor from a qualifier list containing one or more qualified vendors associated with the qualifier when said updated vendor qualification information is not received by the maintenance tool by a pre-configured date associated with said data renewal date or said data expiration date.  
     
     
         38 . The computer system of  claim 37 , wherein said maintenance tool is further configured to interface with said web server to send an e-mail notification message to a vendor browser associated with the vendor indicating the vendor is no longer qualified for the qualifier.  
     
     
         39 . The computer system of  claim 34 , wherein said maintenance tool is further configured to interface with said web server to send an e-mail update request message to a vendor browser associated with the vendor to request said updated vendor qualification information from the vendor.  
     
     
         40 . A method for qualifying a vendor for a qualifier, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving vendor qualification information associated with the vendor;    storing said vendor qualification information within a database;    storing vendor criteria information associated with the qualifier within said database;    comparing said vendor qualification information with said vendor criteria information to generate compliance information; and    qualifying the vendor for the qualifier based on said compliance information.    
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein said step of storing further comprises: 
 storing additional vendor qualification information associated with an additional vendor and additional vendor criteria information associated with an additional qualifier within said database.    
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising the step of: 
 selectively providing a notification message to the vendor indicating whether the vendor is qualified for the qualifier.    
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein said step of receiving further comprises: 
 pushing one or more web pages at a time from said web server to a vendor browser associated with the vendor, said one or more web pages including vendor selection data for use by the vendor in entering said vendor qualification information.    
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein said step of pushing said one or more web pages further comprises the step of: 
 using said vendor qualification information entered in response to said one or more web pages to determine one or more additional web pages to be pushed to said vendor browser.    
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein said step of pushing further comprises the steps of: 
 storing vendor fields containing said vendor selection data within said database; and    populating said one or more web pages with said vendor selection data from said vendor fields.    
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said step of storing said vendor fields further comprises the step of: 
 storing said vendor fields within said database in a hierarchical and relational structure.    
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said step of storing said vendor qualification information further comprises the step of: 
 storing said vendor qualification information within said database in a hierarchical and relational structure mirroring select ones of said vendor fields.    
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said vendor qualification information includes vendor profiling information to categorize the types of goods and services the vendor provides, said step of storing said vendor fields further comprising the step of: 
 storing vendor profiling fields within said vendor fields into hierarchical tables, each of said hierarchical tables including vendor selection data having one or more vendor profiling selections, said vendor profiling selections being used to solicit said vendor profiling information from the vendor.    
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said step of pushing said one or more web pages further comprises the steps of: 
 including said one or more vendor profiling selections of a first one of said hierarchical tables within said one or more web pages pushed to said vendor browser; and    including said one or more vendor profiling selections of a second one of said hierarchical tables within said one or more additional web pages pushed to said vendor browser.    
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said step of including said one or more vendor profiling selections of said second one of said hierarchical tables within said one or more additional web pages pushed to said vendor browser further comprises the steps of: 
 receiving said vendor profiling information entered by the vendor in response to said one or more web pages, said vendor profiling information including a select one of said vendor profiling selections; and    selecting said second hierarchical table based upon said select vendor profiling selection entered by the vendor.    
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the qualifier is a buyer and said step of receiving further comprises the step of: 
 pushing one or more web pages at a time from said web server to a buyer browser associated with the buyer, said one or more web pages including buyer selection data for use by the buyer in entering said vendor criteria information.    
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein said step of pushing said one or more web pages to said buyer browser further comprises the step of: 
 using said vendor criteria information entered in response to said one or more web pages to determine one or more additional web pages to be pushed to said buyer browser.    
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said step of pushing further comprises the steps of: 
 storing buyer fields containing said buyer selection data within said database; and    populating said one or more web pages with said buyer selection data from said buyer fields.    
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein said step of storing said buyer fields further comprises the step of: 
 storing said buyer fields within said database in a hierarchical and relational structure.    
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein said step of storing said vendor qualification information and said vendor criteria information further comprises the steps of: 
 storing said vendor criteria information in a hierarchical and relational structure mirroring select ones of said buyer fields; and    storing said vendor qualification information in a hierarchical and relational structure to enable comparison of said vendor qualification information and said vendor criteria information during said step of comparing.    
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein said vendor criteria information includes vendor profiling information to categorize the types of goods and services that the buyer has a need for, said step of storing said buyer fields further comprising the step of: 
 storing vendor profiling fields within said buyer fields, said vendor profiling selections being used to solicit said vendor profiling information from the buyer.    
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the qualifier is an industry and said vendor criteria information is industry-related vendor criteria information associated with the industry, said industry-related vendor criteria information indicating industry-defined requirements for the vendor to do business in the industry, and wherein said step of storing said vendor qualification information and said industry-related vendor criteria information further comprises the steps of: 
 storing said industry-related vendor criteria information in a hierarchical and relational structure; and    storing said vendor qualification information in a hierarchical and relational structure to enable comparison of said vendor qualification information and said industry-related vendor criteria information.    
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising the steps of: 
 verifying said vendor qualification information entered by the vendor; and    storing verification information associated with said vendor qualification information in said database.    
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising the steps of: 
 storing a vendor list capable of including one or more qualified qualifiers within said database; and    populating said vendor list with the qualifier when said vendor qualification information matches said vendor criteria information associated with the qualifier.    
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the qualifier is a buyer, and further comprising the steps of: 
 storing a buyer list associated with the buyer capable of including one or more qualified vendors within said database; and    populating said buyer list with the vendor when said vendor qualification information matches said vendor criteria information associated with the buyer.    
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein said step of populating further comprises the step of: 
 storing at least a portion of said vendor qualification information associated with the vendor within said buyer list.    
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising the step of: 
 downloading said buyer list from said database to a buyer database associated with the buyer.    
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the qualifier is an industry and further comprising the steps of: 
 storing an industry list capable of including one or more qualified vendors within said database; and    populating said industry list with the vendor when said vendor qualification information matches said vendor criteria information associated with the industry.    
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising the steps of: 
 monitoring said vendor qualification information;    requesting updated vendor qualification information from the vendor; and    storing said updated vendor qualification information in the database to maintain qualification of the vendor for the qualifier.    
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein said vendor qualification information includes a data renewal date, said step of requesting further comprising the step of: 
 requesting said updated vendor qualification information prior to or on said data renewal date.    
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein said vendor qualification information further includes a data expiration date associated with a particular data entry within said vendor qualification information, said step of requesting further comprising the step of: 
 requesting said updated vendor qualification information prior to or on said data expiration date.    
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , further comprising the step of: 
 removing the vendor from a qualifier list containing one or more qualified vendors associated with the qualifier when said updated vendor qualification information is not received from the vendor by a pre-configured date associated with said data renewal date or said data expiration date.    
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67 , further comprising the step of: 
 sending a notification message to a vendor browser associated with the vendor indicating the vendor is no longer qualified for the qualifier.    
     
     
         69 . A computer system for maintaining qualification of a vendor for a qualifier, comprising: 
 a web server configured to receive vendor qualification information associated with the vendor via a data network;    a database configured to store said vendor qualification information and vendor criteria information associated with the qualifier;    means for qualifying the vendor for the qualifier based on said vendor qualification information to said vendor criteria information; and    means for monitoring said vendor qualification information to request updated vendor qualification information from the vendor to maintain qualification of the vendor for the qualifier.    
     
     
         70 . A computer system for creating and maintaining a buyer list of qualified vendors that are qualified to do business with a buyer, comprising: 
 a web server configured to receive vendor qualification information associated with the vendor via a data network;    a database configured to store said vendor qualification information and vendor criteria information associated with the buyer;    means for comparing said vendor qualification information to said vendor criteria information to qualify the vendor for the buyer; and    means for adding the vendor to said buyer list when said vendor qualification information matches said vendor criteria information.    
     
     
         71 . The computer system of  claim 70 , wherein said buyer list further includes at least a portion of said vendor qualification information associated with the vendor.  
     
     
         72 . The computer system of  claim 71 , further comprising: 
 a buyer database associated with the buyer, said buyer list being downloaded to said buyer database from said database storing said vendor qualification information and said vendor criteria information.    
     
     
         73 . The computer system of  claim 70 , further comprising: 
 means for monitoring said vendor qualification information to request updated vendor qualification information from the vendor to maintain qualification of the vendor for the buyer; and    means for selectively removing the vendor from said buyer list when said updated vendor qualification information is not provided by the vendor.    
     
     
         74 . The computer system of  claim 70 , wherein said buyer list is used by the buyer in selecting given ones of the qualified vendors to receive requests for purchase and requests for quote for all future requests for purchase and requests for quote.  
     
     
         75 . A computer system for verifying the qualifications of a vendor for a qualifier, comprising: 
 a web server configured to receive vendor qualification information associated with the vendor via a data network;    a database configured to store said vendor qualification information and vendor criteria information associated with the qualifier;    means for verifying said vendor qualification information provided by the vendor; and    means for comparing said verified vendor qualification information to said vendor criteria information to qualify the vendor for the qualifier.    
     
     
         76 . The computer system of  claim 75 , wherein said means for verifying comprises: 
 an input device configured to enable a user of the computer system to enter verification information associated with said vendor qualification information into said database; and    a user interface configured to provide the user with verification request information requesting the user verify said vendor qualification information and enter said verification information into said database.    
     
     
         77 . A method for calculating statistical data associated with vendor qualifications, comprising: 
 collecting a plurality of qualification data identifying vendor qualification requirements within an industry, each said qualification data including an industry profile and industry-related data;    comparing selected criteria associated with the vendor qualification requirements for said industry with each said industry profile within each said qualification data to determine matching qualification data; and    calculating statistical data related to said industry-related data included within said matching qualification data.    
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein said qualification data comprises vendor qualification information associated with a particular vendor, and wherein said step of collecting further comprises: 
 entering said vendor qualification information into a vendor record within a database.    
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein said qualification data comprises vendor criteria information associated with a particular buyer for each vendor doing business with the buyer, and wherein said step of collecting further comprises: 
 entering said vendor criteria information into a buyer record within a database.    
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 77 , further comprising: 
 storing said statistical data within an industry record within a database.    
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein said step of calculating is performed periodically.  
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein said selected criteria is pre-configured, said step of calculating being performed automatically.  
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 77 , further comprising: 
 receiving said selected criteria at a web server from a user via a user browser.    
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 83 , wherein said step of receiving further comprises: 
 pushing one or more web pages at a time from the web server to the user browser, said one or more web pages including criteria selection data for use by the user in entering said selected criteria.    
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 84 , wherein said step of pushing said one or more web pages further comprises the step of: 
 using said selected criteria entered in response to said one or more web pages to determine one or more additional web pages to be pushed to the user browser.    
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 85 , wherein said step of pushing further comprises the steps of: 
 storing criteria fields containing said criteria selection data within a database; and    populating said one or more web pages with said criteria selection data from said criteria fields.    
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 86 , wherein said step of storing said criteria fields further comprises the step of: 
 storing said criteria fields within said database in a hierarchical and relational structure.    
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein said step of collecting further comprises: 
 storing said qualification data within said database in a hierarchical and relational structure mirroring select ones of said criteria fields.    
     
     
         89 . A method for providing statistical data associated with vendor qualifications, comprising: 
 storing a plurality of industry records within a database, each of said industry records including industry-related vendor criteria information for an industry, each said industry-related vendor criteria information including at least an industry profile identifying the respective industry and industry qualification data identifying vendor qualification requirements within the respective industry;    receiving selected criteria including at least a requested industry profile from a user;    comparing said requested industry profile with each said industry profile within each said industry record to determine a matching one of said industry records; and    providing at least part of said industry qualification data included within said matching industry record to the user.    
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein said step of storing said industry records further comprises: 
 collecting a plurality of vendor qualification data identifying vendor qualification requirements within a particular industry;    calculating statistical data related to said vendor qualification data; and    storing said statistical data as at least part of said industry qualification data within a select one of said industry records associated with the particular industry.    
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 90 , wherein said vendor qualification data comprises vendor qualification information associated with a particular vendor, and wherein said step of collecting further comprises: 
 entering said vendor qualification information into a vendor record within a database.    
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 90 , wherein said vendor qualification data comprises buyer-defined vendor criteria information associated with a particular buyer for each vendor doing business with the buyer, and wherein said step of collecting further comprises: 
 entering said buyer-defined vendor criteria information into a buyer record within a database.    
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein said step of receiving said selected criteria further comprises: 
 pushing one or more web pages at a time from a web server to a user browser associated with the user, said one or more web pages including criteria selection data for use by the user in entering said selected criteria.    
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein said step of pushing said one or more web pages further comprises the step of: 
 using said selected criteria entered in response to said one or more web pages to determine one or more additional web pages to be pushed to the user browser.    
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein said step of pushing further comprises the steps of: 
 storing criteria fields containing said criteria selection data within a database; and    populating said one or more web pages with said criteria selection data from said criteria fields.    
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 95 , wherein said step of storing said criteria fields further comprises the step of: 
 storing said criteria fields within said database in a hierarchical and relational structure.    
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 96 , wherein said step of storing said industry records further comprises: 
 storing said industry-related vendor criteria information within said database in a hierarchical and relational structure mirroring select ones of said criteria fields.    
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein said step of storing said industry records further comprises: 
 receiving said industry-related vendor criteria information at a web server from an administrative user via an administrative user browser.    
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 98 , wherein said step of receiving said industry-related vendor criteria information further comprises: 
 pushing one or more web pages at a time from the web server to the administrative user browser, said one or more web pages including industry selection data for use by the user in entering said industry-related vendor criteria information.    
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein said step of pushing said one or more web pages further comprises the step of: 
 using said industry-related vendor criteria information entered in response to said one or more web pages to determine one or more additional web pages to be pushed to the administrative user browser.    
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 100 , wherein said step of pushing further comprises the steps of: 
 storing industry fields containing said industry selection data within said database; and    populating said one or more web pages with said industry selection data from said industry fields.    
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 101 , wherein said step of storing said industry fields further comprises the step of: 
 storing said industry fields within said database in a hierarchical and relational structure.    
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 102 , wherein said step of storing said industry records further comprises: 
 storing said industry-related vendor criteria information within said database in a hierarchical and relational structure mirroring select ones of said industry fields.