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US 7,249,074 B1Granted
Method, apparatus and computer program for managing accounting system interfaces
AssigneeGeneral Electric Canada Equipment Finance G.P.
InventorsDavid Land, Alan Getgood
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The Accounts Receivable System's (ARS) functions are divided into five separate modules, which includes a Credit Inquiry Module, a Remittance Processing Module, an Accounts Receivable Claim Module, a Maintenance Module, and an Administration Module. These modules are integrated with each other and interface with the client's Order, Ship, Bill (OSB) system, for smooth functioning. The ARS automatically upgrades the modules to the client by downloading on a real-time basis as they are being implemented at a central site. The ARS's interface capabilities include built-in methods for report extraction to get the data required for particular situations or clients.
Claims29
A method for managing trade receivables credit and collection services using an accounts receivable system including a server system coupled to a database, said method comprising the steps of:
- associating at least one computer with at least one customer;
- associating a device with a business enterprise, the business enterprise having a client, the client having customers, wherein the business enterprise device configured with a browser;
- connecting a server system associated with the business enterprise to the business enterprise device, wherein the business enterprise manages trade receivables credit for the client, manages collection services for the client, and updates a general ledger of the client;
- establishing a communication link between a client system and each of the business enterprise device, the server system, and the at least one customer computer, the client system is associated with the client and manages ordering of products by customers using the at least one customer computer, manages shipping of products to customers, and manages billing for ordered products;
- receiving customer information at the server system from the client system, the customer information relating to at least one of a customer of the client and a customer account;
- extracting data from the customer information;
- loading the extracted data into the database;
- retrieving credit information pertaining to the customer;
- evaluating credit information through electronic scoring process;
- accepting a payment against the customer account;
- processing and generating journal entries using the server system to post on a general ledger of the client;
- and
- using the server system to post the journal entries on the general ledger of the client via the client system for financial monitoring, reporting and auditing purposes.
10 more elements
An apparatus for managing trade receivables credit and collection services, said apparatus comprising:
- at least one computer associate with at least one customer;
- a device associated with a business enterprise, the business enterprise having a client, the client having customers, wherein said business enterprise device configured with a browser;
- a server system associated with the business enterprise connected to said business enterprise device, wherein the business enterprise manages trade receivables credit for the client, manages collection services for the client, and updates a general ledger of the client;
- a client system associated with the client in communication with each of said business enterprise device, said server system, and said at least one customer computer, said client system manages ordering of products by customers using said at least one customer computer, manages shipping of products to customers, and manages billing for ordered products;
- and
- a database for storing information pertaining to a plurality of clients of the business enterprise and a plurality of customers of the clients;
- and
- said server system configured to:
- receive customer information from the client system, the customer information relating to at least one of a customer of the client and a customer account;
- extract data from the customer information;
- load the extracted data into the database;
- retrieve credit information pertaining to the customer;
- evaluate credit information through electronic scoring process;
- accept a payment against the customer account;
- process and generate required journal entries to post on a general ledger of the client;
- and
- post the journal entries on the general ledger of the client via the client system for financial monitoring, reporting and auditing purposes.
14 more elements
An account receivables computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for managing trade receivables credit and collection services, comprising:
- a code segment that recognizes at least one computer associated with at least one customer;
- a code segment that recognizes a device associated with a business enterprise, the business enterprise having a client, the client having customers, wherein the business enterprise device configured with a browser;
- a code segment that connects a server system associated with the business enterprise to the business enterprise device, wherein the business enterprise manages trade receivables credit for the client, manages collection services for the client, and updates a general ledger of the client;
- a code segment that establishes a communication link between a client system and each of the business enterprise device, the server system, and the at least one customer computer, the client system is associated with the client and manages ordering of products by customers using the plurality of customer devices, manages shipping of products to customers, and manages billing for ordered products;
- a code segment that receives at the server system Order, Ship, Bill (OSB) data relating to at least one of a customer and a customer account from the client system;
- a code segment that extracts data from the OSB data;
- a code segment that loads the extracted data into the database;
- a code segment that retrieves credit information pertaining to the customer of the client;
- a code segment that evaluates credit information through electronic scoring process;
- a code segment that accepts a payment against the customer account;
- a code segment that processes the customer payment and generates required journal entries to post on a general ledger of the client;
- and
- a code segment that posts the journal entries on the general ledger of the client via the client system for financial monitoring, reporting and auditing purposes.
10 more elements
A system for managing trade receivables credit and collection services, said system comprising:
- logic that recognizes at least one computer associated with at least one customer;
- logic that recognizes a device associated with a business enterprise, the business enterprise having a client, the client having customers, wherein the business enterprise device configured with a browser;
- logic that connects a server system associated with the business enterprise to the business enterprise device, wherein the business enterprise manages trade receivables credit for the client, manages collection services for the client, and updates a general ledger of the client;
- logic that establishes a communication link between a client system and each of the business enterprise device, the server system, and the at least one customer computer, the client system is associated with the client and manages ordering of products by customers using the at least one customer computer, manages shipping of products to customers, and manages billing for ordered products;
- logic that receives at the server system Order, Ship, Bill (OSB) information from the client system, the OSB information relating to at least one of a customer of the client and a customer account;
- logic that extracts data from the OSB information;
- logic that loads the extracted data into the database;
- logic that retrieves credit information pertaining to the customer of the client;
- logic that evaluates credit information through electronic scoring process;
- logic that accepts a payment against the customer account;
- logic that processes and generates required journal entries to post on a general ledger of the client;
- and
- logic that posts the journal entries on the general ledger of the client via the client system for financial monitoring, reporting and auditing purposes.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.