Integrated business-to-business Web commerce and business automation system

A method of business-to-business Web commerce between a first business acting as supplier and a second business acting as purchaser, using a computer net including a relational database server, the method comprising the steps of:

• storing user privileges for a plurality of user authorized by the purchaser to act on its behalf;
• authenticating and determining a privilege level of a user;
• the user entering product parameters;
• identifying products in accordance with the product parameters and displaying product information for the products;
• the user selecting at least one product from the displayed product information and requesting a price quote for the product;
• producing and displaying a price quote for the product, the price quote including a quote number;
• and
• storing the price quote within the database for future reference.

In a system for business-to-business Web commerce system between a first business acting as supplier and a second business acting as purchaser, using a computer net including a relational database server, a method of maintaining and updating a multi-vendor product list, comprising the steps of:

• a user selecting a baseline vendor;
• electronically retrieving product information from the baseline vendor;
• electronically retrieving product information from at least one additional vendor;
• comparing product information from said additional vendor with product information from the baseline vendor;
• and
• if an identical product is offered by both the baseline vendor and said additional vendor, consolidating information from both the baseline vendor and the additional vendor into a common record for display.

A method of business-to-business Web commerce between a first business acting as supplier and a second business acting as purchaser, using a computer net including a relational database server, the method providing for merchandise returns, comprising the steps of:

• storing in the database a record for each item sold;
• authenticating a user;
• using a flexible product identification procedure, the user entering information identifying at least one item of merchandise to be returned for which a record is stored in the database;
• using the record stored in the database, creating a return record and notifying a representative authorized by the supplier to approve returns;
• approving the return and assigning a Return Merchandise Authorization number to the return record;
• and
• communicating to the user the Return Merchandise Authorization number.

In a system for business-to-business Web commerce system between a first business acting as supplier and a second business acting as purchaser, using a computer net including a relational database server, a method of processing accounts, the method comprising the steps of:

• storing in the database customer invoices and vendor invoices;
• identifying open vendor invoices;
• applying a set of rules to the open vendor invoices and related records, including classifying and grouping the open vendor invoices in accordance with a hierarchy of experiential classifications;
• and
• forming a determination based on the set of rules whether or not a group of open invoices should be paid.

In a system for business-to-business Web commerce system between a first business acting as supplier and a second business acting as purchaser, using a computer net including a relational database server, a method of employee evaluation comprising the steps of:

• collecting activity information as activities occur and storing it in the database;
• determining a computer-generated, data-based performance norm for an individual or entity;
• and
• automatically producing an electronic evaluation report based on the activity information and the data-based norm.

In a relational database system, a method of displaying information, comprising the steps of:

• for each of a plurality of base tables, identifying at least one related table;
• providing a related switch GUI control displayed in conjunction with display of each of said plurality of base tables, for selecting a related table;
• displaying records of one of said plurality of base tables;
• a user selecting at least one record;
• using said GUI control, said user selecting a related table;
• performing a search to identify records in the related table that are related to said at least one record;
• and
• displaying records of said related table identified by said search.

In a relational database business automation system, a method of displaying information so as to facilitate user manipulation and interaction, comprising the steps of:

• producing a workscope/workflow structured display of complex database records each comprising multiple lines of text and pertaining to both a first party to a business transaction and a second party to the business transaction, the structured display constituting an integrated decision-making environment for a particular business function;
• and
• providing a GUI control displayed in conjunctions with said workscope/workflow structured display of complex database records;
• a user selecting at least one of said complex database records;
• and
• the user activating the GUI control, wherein activation of the GUI control has at least one of the following effects:
• taking a prescribed action in relation to the selected record and changing at least one field of said record within said database;
• changing the display to a functionally-related display;
• and bringing up a pop-up screen through which data may be entered, changing at least one field of said record within said database, the pop-up screen only partially obscuring said workscope/workflow structured display.

A method of order fulfillment using a relational database system in which customer order information and vendor order information are stored, comprising the steps of:

• displaying customer order items for which vendor orders have not been placed;
• enabling a user to, in accordance with a user command, sort customer order items by the following categories:
• item sold, vendor and availability;
• grouping a plurality of customer order items;
• placing a single vendor order corresponding to a group of customer order items;
• and
• refreshing the display so as to remove one or more groups of items from the display.

A method of handling sales returns over a global computer network, comprising the steps of:

• receiving a Return Merchandise Authorization request via a global computer network, the request specifying return type;
• evaluating the request based on a plurality of stored criteria in accordance with the return type;
• and
• if the applicable criteria are met, automatically assigning, and communicating to a user via the global computer network, a return authorization number.

In a business-to-business automated Web commerce system, a method of specifying complex installation instruction regarding a plurality of purchase items using a graphical user interface, the method comprising the steps of:

• selecting a first primary item;
• selecting one or more secondary items to be installed with said first primary item;
• selecting a second primary item;
• and
• selecting one or more secondary items to be installed with said second primary item.

An automated business process for product sales that uses a Web-enabled relational database management system to automate an integrated supply chain including a seller and a plurality of vendors, the process comprising the steps of:

• a seller placing vendor orders and entering order information into the database, the orders being communicated to the vendors through a global computer network;
• the seller receiving the orders in whole or in part and entering receiving information into the database;
• the vendors accessing receiving information through the global computer network to ensure prompt receipt of orders;
• the seller requesting return of selected order items;
• and
• the vendors accessing return information through the global computer network and in response thereto communicating return merchandise authorization numbers to the seller through the global computer network.

A method of order fulfillment, comprising the steps of:

• placing an order for a part;
• entering the order within a Web-enabled relational database system;
• tracking each significant event in the order fulfillment process within the relational database system;
• and
• communicating the order status to at least one party via the Web.

A method of automating an end-to-end business process using a software program running on a relational database system, comprising the steps of:

• as data is entered into the relational database system, qualifying data entries in accordance with a stored knowledge base;
• producing a workscope/workflow structured display of complex database records, the structured display constituting a decision-making environment for a particular business function, and displaying data together with GUI controls in such as way as to allow a user to readily change the status of a record within the relational database system in way determined by the stored knowledge base;
• and
• based on the experience of users using the software program, altering the stored knowledge base so as to increase the stored knowledge base.