Method for electronic billing and payment

Abstract

A comprehensive, web-enabled computer system and method is provided for facilitating and managing all aspects of project work, while synchronizing communications, data and transaction processing across multiple user platforms. To implement the computer system and method, a bid item list is utilized to create configurable and scalable customized bid templates premised on the specific type of project work required. Bid requests are generated from the customized bid templates for solicitation of vendor bid responses to the selected bid items provided by the bid template. One or more bid items within the vendor bid responses can be selected for vendor grading purposes, and comparison of the vendor bid responses can be conducted using the graded bid item responses. In addition, project tracking parameters can be entered into the computer system for tracking the performance of the project.

1 . A paperless web enabled electronic billing and payment method comprising:
 purchase-order processing by a buyer and supplier;   voucher/payment request processing by a supplier;   voucher/payment request processing by the buyer; and   billing data extract and payment processing by the buyer.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of purchase-order processing further comprises:
 creating, by a buyer, of a purchase order; and   wherein the purchase order is adapted to acquire and store line item specific elements of transactable commerce data.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of the buyer creating the purchase order further comprises acquiring and storing human resource labor types and associated rates, human resource expense types and associated spend threshold, materials and associated costs, fixed price deliverables and associated costs, and unit-based deliverables and associated costs. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the step of the buyer creating the purchase order further comprises:
 the buyer designating partial or full financial data processing modes;   the buyer designating ancillary business data types and data values to be processed in conjunction with subsequent supplier voucher/payment request processing; and   the buyer specifying approval routing schemas for subsequent submitted supplier voucher/payment line items.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of the buyer creating the purchase order further comprises:
 the buyer specifying an aggregate purchase order not-to-exceed spend threshold;   the buyer specifying purchase order payment terms;   the buyer specifying purchase order active start and end dates; and   the buyer specifying purchase order approval routing schema.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of purchase-order processing further comprises:
 the buyer submitting a purchase order in process to a supplier;   the supplier validating the accuracy of purchase order data;   the supplier assessing and providing taxation data pertinent to purchase order line items; and   the supplier submitting a supplier approved purchase order back to the applicable buyer personnel.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of purchase-order processing further comprises:
 the buyer approving a supplier-validated purchase order; and   the buyer making a purchase order active for supplier voucher/payment request processing.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the supplier creating a voucher/payment request. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of the supplier creating a voucher/payment request further comprises:
 systematically validating supplier input against purchase order line item data;   the supplier inputting ancillary data as buyer configured;   systematically validating buyer purchase-order specifyings; and   the supplier submitting a systematic data validated voucher/payment request to a buyer.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of voucher/payment request processing by the supplier further comprises systematically updating status and tracking of a submitted voucher/payment request. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein voucher/payment request processing by the buyer further comprises systematically notifying a configured buyer user of a pending voucher payment request. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of voucher/payment request processing by the buyer further comprises:
 the buyer approving or disapproving submitted voucher/payment request line items; and   the buyer providing commentary regarding approval/rejection disposition   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the buyer voucher/payment request disposition further comprises systematically notifying the supplier regarding buyer voucher/payment disposition 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the buyer voucher/payment request disposition further comprises:
 systematically updating individual voucher/payment request line items status; and   tracking of the individual voucher/payment request line items.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the billing data extract and payment processing by the buyer further comprises the buyer configuring the approved voucher/payment request line item data extract for subsequent creation of an electronic billing/invoice file. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of the buyer configuring the data extract further comprises:
 the buyer specifying data extract frequency;   the buyer specifying database fields for extract;   the buyer specifying database field extract format/layout; and   the buyer specifying data record consolidation/separation premised upon acquired and stored transactional ancillary business data.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein payment processing by the buyer further comprises specifying a financial data transfer protocol of the buyer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein payment processing by the buyer further comprises:
 converting billing data file to the buyer's specified financial data transfer protocol;   transmitting the converted billing file to buyer-specified personnel or data-processing machine;   uploading the converted billing file to a buyer financial system;   generating buyer payment; and   the buyer systematically receiving the supplier payment record file   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising systematically utilizing full life cycle throughput data to enable perpetual purchase order and voucher/payment request data validation. 
     
     
         20 . An article of manufacture, the article of manufacture comprising:
 at least one computer-readable medium;   processor instructions contained on the at least one computer readable medium, the processor instructions configured to be readable from the at least one computer-readable medium by at least one processor and thereby cause the at least one processor to operate as to perform:
 purchase-order processing by a buyer and supplier; 
 voucher/payment request processing by a supplier; 
 voucher/payment request processing by the buyer; and 
 billing data extract and payment processing by the buyer.