Method and system for providing greater value in electronic order processing
AssigneeMilford Holding Co.
InventorsRichard Cohen, Charles Cohen, Eric Labashosky
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides a system and method for presenting a user with a substitute product of greater value while maintaining equal or better quality. When a user places an order for an item, the system alerts the user if a better Value Item is available. The information presented by the system may include the Value Item product number, manufacturer, description, and a reason or explanation as to why the item is a better value. The system then permits the user to accept or reject the Value Item while alerting the user as to the total savings achieved. The system does not rely on third parties for maintenance and access to required data.
Claims47
A method for the electronic offering and selection of substitute products of better value comprising the steps of:
- electronically linking a client database to an autonomous server database for downloading preselected data tables from the server database to the client database;
- inputting to the client database an Ordered Item for purchase;
- searching the client database for a Value Item associated with the Ordered Item;
- determining whether the associated Value Item is a Displayed Value Item;
- and
- offering the associated Value Item in substitution for the Ordered Item when the Value Item is a Displayed Value Item.
A method for the electronic offering, selection and ordering of substitute products of better value comprising the steps of:
- electronically linking a client database to an autonomous server database for downloading preselected data tables from the server database to the client database;
- inputting to the client database an Ordered Item for purchase;
- searching the client database for a Value Item associated with the Ordered Item;
- determining whether the associated Value Item is a Displayed Value Item;
- offering the associated Value Item in substitution for the Ordered Item when the Value Item is a Displayed Value Item;
- and
- electronically transmitting a purchase order comprising at least one item selected from the group consisting of an Ordered Item and a Value Item.
A system for the electronic offering, selection and ordering of substitute products of better value comprising:
- a client database for storing data, the data comprising preselected user parameters and preselected data tables downloaded from an autonomous server database;
- the autonomous server database comprising preselected data tables;
- an electronic interface for downloading at least one of the preselected data tables from the server database to the client database;
- an input collection system for obtaining user inputted information;
- a data access system for determining the availability of a Displayed Value Item associated with a user inputted Ordered Item;
- a display system for presenting to a user the Displayed Value Item;
- and
- an ordering system for electronically transmitting a purchase order, the purchase order comprising at least one product selected from the group consisting of Ordered Items and Value Items.
A method for the electronic offering, selection and ordering of substitute products of better value comprising the steps of:
- electronically interfacing a remotely located autonomous database with a user input/display device;
- inputting into the input/display device an Ordered Item for purchase;
- searching the database for a Value Item associated with the Ordered Item;
- determining whether the associated Value Item is a Displayed Value Item;
- offering through the input/display device the associated Value Item in substitution for the Ordered Item when the Value Item is a Displayed Value Item;
- and
- electronically transmitting through the interface a purchase order comprising at least one item selected from the group consisting of an Ordered Item and a Value Item.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.