Method and system for configurating products

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and system for configuring products, such as branded promotional products, where products may be divided into items and processes. Item parameters and process parameters may be separately specified and linked together to create a unique product where a product identifier (e.g., SKU) may be dynamically created when the product is sourced, quoted, ordered or otherwise accessed. For example, an item may involve a product to which an imprint or logo is to be affixed. A process may involve a screening printing process or other process for affixing a customer's artwork, logo or identifier. In addition, the method and system of the present invention may be applied to other applications, such as office supplies, furniture, aviation supplies, marine supplies, interior design, beauty salon and spa supplies, medical office supplies, restaurant and bar supplies, gift shops and clothing boutique, and other industries where products and services may be ordered.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A computer-based system, comprising:
 a product database coupled to a server computer;   a vendor interface coupled to the product database, the vendor interface receiving into the product database product information related to a promotional product; and   a reseller interface coupled to the product database, the reseller interface provided by a server through the Internet and allowing a reseller to select a representation of the promotional product from the product database, the representation of the promotional product displayable to a customer via a configuring interface,   wherein the reseller interface cooperates with the configuring interface to allow the customer to configure the promotional product based on a selection of one or more parameters to create a customized promotional product, and a pricing algorithm prices the promotional product at least based on the promotional product and process production specifications.   
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 21 , further comprising an interface to display the customized promotional product to the customer. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 22 , wherein a customer interface comprises a promotional products interface, a company logo store interface, or a reseller showcase interface, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 22 , further comprising a request interface that is capable of receiving a customer request from the customer for obtaining the promotional product from the reseller. 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 24 , wherein the vendor interface, the reseller interface or a customer interface, or combinations thereof, are capable of providing order status information, customer history information, reseller history information, vendor order status information, due date information, shipping information for an order, current balance information, account summary information, a web hit habit report, or market information, or combinations thereof, to the customer, the reseller, or a vendor, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         26 . A method, comprising:
 receiving product information related to a promotional product over a communication network from a vendor, the product information stored in a product database, the product database coupled to a server computer; and   displaying information representing the promotional product to a customer through a reseller interface provided by a server through the Internet, the product information selected from the product database by a reseller;   allowing the customer to configure the promotional product on the server via the reseller interface cooperating with a configuring interface to based on a selection of one or more parameters to create a customized promotional product; and   pricing the promotional product at least based on the promotional product and process production specifications.   
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the reseller interface comprises a promotional products website, a company logo store, or a reseller showcase, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , further comprising receiving a customer request from the customer over the communication network for obtaining the promotional product from the reseller. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 28 , further comprising providing order status information, customer history information, reseller history information, vendor order status information, due date information, shipping information for an order, current balance information, account summary information, a web hit habit report, or market information, or combinations thereof, to the customer, the reseller, or the vendor, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         30 . A computer-based system, comprising:
 a reseller interface coupled to a product database and a server computer, the product database having information representing at least one promotional product;   wherein the reseller interface is provided by the server through the Internet and allows a reseller to select a representation of a promotional product from the product database for display to a customer, and   wherein the reseller interface cooperates with a configuring interface to allow the customer to configure the promotional product based on a selection of one or more parameters to create a customized promotional product, and a pricing algorithm prices the promotional product at least based on the promotional product and process production specifications.   
     
     
         31 . A computer-based reseller interface coupled to a product database and a server computer, the product database comprising a vendor interface that allows a vendor to enter a promotional product into the product database, wherein a reseller interface is provided by the server computer through the Internet and allows a reseller to select a promotional product from the product database for display to a customer via a customer interface, wherein the reseller interface cooperates with a configuring interface to allow the customer to configure the promotional product based on a selection of one or more parameters to create a customized promotional product, and a pricing algorithm prices the promotional product at least based on the promotional product and process production specifications. 
     
     
         32 . The system according to  claim 31 , further comprising an interface to display the customized promotional product to the customer. 
     
     
         33 . A reseller website managed by a reseller comprising:
 a server;   a product database; and   the reseller website, wherein the reseller website is coupled to the product database and the server, the reseller website further comprising:
 a representation of a promotional product, the promotional product selected by the reseller from the product database via a reseller interface for display to a customer, the promotional product having entered the product database by a vendor through a vendor interface associated with the product database, wherein the reseller website cooperates with a configuring interface to allow the customer to configure the promotional product based on a selection of one or more parameters to create a customized promotional product, wherein a pricing algorithm prices the promotional product at least based on the promotional product and process production specifications. 
   
     
     
         34 . The system according to  claim 33 , further comprising an interface to display the customized promotional product to the customer.