Method and apparatus for procuring goods in an automated manner

Abstract

An automatic system and method optimizes the purchasing of goods and services by a buyer. A request for a quote for goods or services required is received from a buyer. This request is processed and dealers are selected based on the criteria of the buyer and other criteria. The selected dealers are then sent the request for goods and services and quotes are solicited. Quotes from the selected dealers, for the goods or services, are then receivable within a predetermined time period. Thereafter, the received quotes of the providers of the goods or services are ranked. The ranking and the report of the providers are then outputted.

1 . A computer-implemented method for facilitating a sales transaction between a buyer and a seller, comprising:
 (a) receiving at a computer a request transmitted over a computer network from a buyer for information concerning a good or service, said request including a plurality of buyer-selected criteria related to the good or service and buyer-selected criteria related to sellers of the good or service;   (b) examining, using a computer, an electronic database of sellers of goods and services, said database including rating information of said sellers of goods and services, and, using a computer, selecting from said electronic database sellers that offer said requested good or service based on the plurality of buyer-selected criteria related to the good or service and based on said rating information of sellers;   (c) transmitting, over a computer network, information related to the request of the buyer including one or more of said plurality of buyer-selected criteria related to said good or service to the selected sellers of the good or service;   (d) receiving at a computer connected to the computer network, within a predetermined time interval, responses from at least one seller;   (e) compiling, by a computer connected to the computer network, information provided in the responses received from at least one seller within the predetermined time interval;   (f) ranking, by a computer connected to the computer network, responding sellers based upon an evaluation of the compiled information including the plurality of buyer-selected criteria, in order from highest ranking; and   (g) transmitting over a computer network, information concerning ranked sellers and respective responses to a computer accessible by the buyer.