Method and system for directing the sourcing of a part or component from a secondary supplier

Abstract

A purchasing entity directs the sourcing of one or more components of a part in a microprocessor-based method. The microprocessor-based method comprises generating a listing for a part that identifies the one or more components. Such a listing is stored in digital electronic form and is accessible by a microcomputer-based system. The purchasing entity then enters into a purchase agreement with a secondary supplier for at least one component of the one or more components. The purchasing entity then obtains a quotation from a primary supplier for the part with the secondary supplier specified as a supplier for at least one component. A computer system for directed sourcing that includes a computer network including one or more computers and which executes the method of the invention is also provided.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.