Workflow management system

Abstract

A network clearinghouse may be provided that brings together organizations (subjects) requiring outsourcing of a service and service providers (operators). The clearinghouse manages the bidding and awarding of contracts, by collecting and authorizing requests for proposals (RFPs), sending bid invitations to operators that meet the requirements of the subject, sending a notification that the contract has been awarded, and collecting payment from the subject and paying the operator.

1 - 42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . A method for providing a workflow management system for a translation project, said method comprising:
 receiving a request for the translation project from a subject, said request comprising a document requiring translation from a source language into a target language;   searching a database for previously translated translation projects to generate pre-translation information, said pre-translation information comprising translated units;   generating at least one fulfillment parameter if at least one of said translated units is capable of being used in said translation project;   managing an automated bidding process for the translation project based on said at least one fulfillment parameter;   awarding said translation project to a translator; and   delivering a completed translation project electronically to the subject.   
     
     
         44 . A method for providing a workflow management system according to  claim 43 , wherein the step of managing comprises the steps of:
 notifying translators to submit bids;   receiving bids from at least one translator;   determining a bid award; and   sending a bid award notification.   
     
     
         45 . A method for providing a workflow management system for a translation project, said method comprising the steps of:
 managing an automated bidding process for the translation project, said translation project comprising a document requiring translation from a source language into a target language;   receiving a request for a translation project from a subject; and   interrogating a fulfillment database to determine fulfillment parameters for said translation project, the fulfillment parameters being based on the identification of at least one relevant resource comprising translation units capable of being used in said translation project, the translation units being derived from previously translated translation projects.   
     
     
         46 . A method for providing a workflow management system according to  claim 45 , further comprising the step of:
 transmitting one or more relevant resources from the fulfillment database to a project coordination module.   
     
     
         47 . A method for providing a workflow management system for a translation project, said method comprising the steps of:
 receiving a request for the translation project, said request comprising a document requiring translation from a source language into a target language; and   determining if any previously completed translation projects or portions of any completed translation projects are available as a resource in connection with the translation project.   
     
     
         48 . A workflow management system for a translation project, said system comprising:
 at least one project coordination computer module whose actions are directed by software components; and   wherein the project coordination computer module receives a request for the translation project from a subject and provides electronic delivery of a completed translation project to said subject, said request comprising a document requiring translation from a source language into a target language.   
     
     
         49 . A workflow management system for a translation project, said system comprising:
 at least one project coordination computer module whose actions are directed by software components;   at least one project fulfillment computer module whose actions are directed by software components, and linked to said at least one project coordination computer module; and   wherein the at least one project coordination computer module receives project information associated with a translation project from a subject, said translation project comprising a document requiring translation from a source language into a target language and wherein the at least one project fulfillment computer module accesses a database to determine if at least a portion of a previously completed project is capable of being used with the translation project, said project fulfillment computer module generating at least one fulfillment parameter if the at least a portion of a previously completed project is capable of being used with the translation project.   
     
     
         50 . A workflow management system according to  claim 49  further comprising:
 at least one bid management computer module whose actions are directed by software components, and linked to said at least one project coordination computer module.   
     
     
         51 . A workflow management system according to  claim 49  further comprising:
 at least one registration computer module whose actions are directed by software components, and linked to said at least one project coordination computer module.   
     
     
         52 . A workflow management system according to  claim 49  further comprising:
 at least one registration computer module whose actions are directed by software components, and linked to said at least one bid management computer module and at least one project coordination computer module.   
     
     
         53 . A workflow management system according to  claim 49  further comprising:
 at least one royalty tracking computer module whose actions are directed by software components, and linked to said at least one project coordination computer module and at least one project fulfillment computer module.   
     
     
         54 . A workflow management system according to  claim 49  further comprising:
 at least one financial computer module whose actions are directed by software components and linked to said at least one project coordination computer module.   
     
     
         55 . A workflow management system according to  claim 51  further comprising:
 at least one financial computer module whose actions are directed by software components and, linked to said at least one registration computer module and said at least one project coordination computer module.   
     
     
         56 . A workflow management system according to  claim 54  further comprising:
 at least one credential check computer module whose actions are directed by software components, and linked to said at least one registration computer module and at least one financial computer module.   
     
     
         57 . A workflow management system according to  claim 49 , further comprising computer memory associated with the project fulfillment computer module containing previously completed projects or portions of any completed projects to be used as a resource in connection with a new project. 
     
     
         58 . A workflow management system according to  claim 49 , wherein said project fulfillment computer module transmits one or more relevant resources to the project coordination module. 
     
     
         59 . A workflow management system according to  claim 49 , wherein a completed projects computer module evaluates whether any portion of a new project has been previously completed in connection with a prior project. 
     
     
         60 . A workflow management system according to  claim 50 , further comprising computer memory associated with the bid management computer module containing bidder qualification information. 
     
     
         61 . A workflow management system according to  claim 50 , wherein said bid management computer module selects an operator for a requested project based on a subject's bid criteria. 
     
     
         62 . A workflow management system according to  claim 50 , wherein said bid management computer module executes and monitors a bidding process.