System and method for enabling and maintaining vendor qualification

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.