Method and process for providing relevant data, comparing proposal alternatives, and reconciling proposals; invoices, and purchase orders with actual costs in a workflow process

Abstract

The present invention provides a process and system for matching buyers and sellers of either goods or services, or goods and services for a project. The invention enables a buyer to specify a project in terms of physical, functional, temporal, financial, and transactional parameters that can be automatically converted, by the present invention, into at least one request for either goods or services, or goods and services to perform work related to the project. The requests are suitably provided to at least one seller. Upon receiving a request, the seller may submit a response to the request, as desired. The invention provides a forum for the negotiation of any agreements and the formation of contracts to provide the requested, or alternative goods or services, or goods and services, as well as reconciliation of purchase orders, actual field costs, and invoices.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for procuring at least one good, at least one service, or combinations thereof, for reconciling actual performance data with purchase order data of a purchase order for a project ordered by a buyer and performed by a seller, wherein in a regular course of matters the project involves or is expected to involve a discrepancy between the actual performance data and the purchase order data that will require reconciliation, and wherein the actual performance data may be provided through a field ticket, an invoice, or combinations thereof, the method comprising:
 obtaining and storing in at least one data storage medium electronically accessible to at least one processor the purchase order data relating to the project, wherein said obtaining and storing comprising:
 identifying parameters for the project provided by at least one buyer; 
 converting said parameters into request for the purchase order data relating to the project, wherein the purchase order data comprises an initial estimate of said at least one good, said at least one service, or combinations thereof required for performance of at least a portion of the project; 
 sending said request, via a communication network, to at least one seller; 
 receiving a response from said at least one seller via said communication network; 
 verifying whether said response from said at least one seller comprises modifications to said request for the purchase order data; 
 based on verifying, receiving and storing approval or disapproval of said modifications from said at least one buyer; and 
 generating said purchase order data to be performed by said at least one seller for performance of at least said portion of the project based on receiving approval of said modifications from said at least one buyer; 
   receiving and storing in said at least one data storage medium electronically accessible to said at least one processor the actual performance data via said communication network, wherein the actual performance data comprises an indication of said at least one good, said at least one service, or combinations thereof used for performance of at least said portion of the project;   using said at least one processor to compare the actual performance data to the purchase order data to determine a discrepancy between the actual performance data and the purchase order data;   sending an electronic notification of the discrepancy to said at least one buyer;   receiving a proposed reconciliation from said at least one buyer; and   receiving approval or disapproval of the proposed reconciliation from said at least one seller.   
     
     
         2 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein the actual performance data comprises an actual cost, in whole or in part, of said at least one good, said at least one service, or combinations thereof in performance of at least said portion of the project. 
     
     
         3 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein the actual performance data comprises an actual accounting other than actual cost, in whole or in part, of said at least one good, said at least one service, or combinations thereof in performance of at least said portion of the project. 
     
     
         4 . The method as described in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of using said at least one processor to compare the discrepancy between the purchase order data and the actual performance data with at least one business rule or design rule related to said parameters of the project stored in said at least one data storage medium, wherein the discrepancy between the purchase order data and the actual performance data falls within a tolerance of said at least one business rule or design rule, and wherein the step of receiving approval or disapproval of a proposed reconciliation comprises receiving automatic approval of the proposed reconciliation. 
     
     
         5 . The method as described in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of using said at least one processor to compare the discrepancy between the purchase order data and the actual performance data with at least one business rule or design rule related to said parameters of the project stored in said at least one data storage medium, wherein the discrepancy between the purchase order data and the actual performance data falls outside of a tolerance of said at least one business rule or design rule, and wherein the step of receiving approval or disapproval of proposed reconciliation comprises receiving automatic disapproval of the proposed reconciliation and transmission of a notification to said at least one buyer or said at least one seller. 
     
     
         6 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving approval or disapproval of the proposed reconciliation comprises receiving an electronic approval of the discrepancy from said at least one seller. 
     
     
         7 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving approval or disapproval of the proposed reconciliation comprises receiving an electronic disapproval of the discrepancy from said at least one seller and receiving a second proposed reconciliation from said at least one buyer, and receiving approval or disapproval of said second proposed reconciliation from said at least one seller. 
     
     
         8 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving approval or disapproval of the proposed reconciliation comprises receiving an electronic disapproval of the discrepancy from said at least one seller and receiving a second proposed reconciliation from said at least one seller, and receiving approval or disapproval of said second proposed reconciliation from said at least one buyer. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the actual performance data comprises an invoice, a field ticket, or combinations thereof related to the indication of said at least one good, said at least one service, or combinations thereof used for performance of at least said portion of the project. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the purchase order data is a service agreement or a contract between said at least one buyer and said at least one seller relating to said at least one good, said at least one service, and combinations thereof required for the performance of at least said portion of the project. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of using said at least one processor to compare the purchase order data and the actual performance data further comprising: comparing at least one line item for said at least one good, said at least one service, or a combination thereof from each of the purchase order data and the actual performance data to determine the discrepancy. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of using said at least one processor to compare the purchase order data and the actual performance data further comprising: comparing total dollar amount associated with a fulfillment of at least said portion of the project from each of the purchase order data and the actual performance data to determine the discrepancy. 
     
     
         13 . A system for procuring at least one good, at least one service, or combinations thereof, for reconciling actual performance data with purchase order data of a purchase order for a project ordered by a buyer and performed by a seller, wherein in a regular course of matters the project involves or is expected to involve a discrepancy between the actual performance data and the purchase order data that will require reconciliation, and wherein the actual performance data may be provided through a field ticket, an invoice, or combinations thereof, the system comprising:
 at least one processor and at least one data storage medium electronically accessible to said at least one processor for obtaining and storing the purchase order data relating to the project, wherein said at least one processor is configured to:
 identify parameters for the project provided by at least one buyer; 
 convert said parameters into request for the purchase order data relating to the project, wherein the purchase order data comprises an initial estimate of said at least one good, said at least one service, or combinations thereof required for performance of at least a portion of the project; 
 send said request, via a communication network, to at least one seller; 
 receive a response from said at least one seller via said communication network; 
 verify whether said response from said at least one seller comprises modifications to said request for the purchase order data; 
 based on verifying, receive and store approval or disapproval of said modifications from said at least one buyer; and 
 generate said purchase order data to be performed by said at least one seller for performance of at least said portion of the project based on receiving approval of said modifications from said at least one buyer; wherein 
   said at least one data storage medium is configured to be electronically accessible to said at least one processor for receiving and storing the actual performance data via said communication network, wherein the actual performance data comprises an indication of said at least one good, said at least one service, or combinations thereof used for performance of at least said portion of the project; and wherein   said at least one processor is configured to:
 compare the actual performance data to the purchase order data to determine a discrepancy between the actual performance data and the purchase order data; 
 send an electronic notification of the discrepancy to said at least one buyer; 
 receive a proposed reconciliation from said at least one buyer; and 
 receive approval or disapproval of the proposed reconciliation from said at least one seller. 
   
     
     
         14 . The system as described in  claim 13 , wherein the actual performance data comprises an actual cost, in whole or in part, of said at least one good, said at least one service, or combinations thereof in performance of at least said portion of the project. 
     
     
         15 . The system as described in  claim 13 , wherein the actual performance data comprises an actual accounting other than an actual cost, in whole or in part, of said at least one good, said at least one service, or combinations thereof in performance of at least said portion of the project. 
     
     
         16 . The system as described in  claim 13 , wherein said at least one processor is configured to compare the discrepancy between the purchase order data and the actual performance data with at least one business rule or design rule related to said parameters of the project stored in said at least one data storage medium, wherein the discrepancy between the purchase order data and the actual performance data falls within a tolerance of said at least one business rule or design rule, and wherein said at least one processor is configured to receive an automatic approval of the proposed reconciliation. 
     
     
         17 . The system as described in  claim 13 , wherein said at least one processor is configured to compare the discrepancy between the purchase order data and the actual performance data with at least one business rule or design rule related to said parameters of the project stored in said at least one data storage medium, wherein the discrepancy between the purchase order data and the actual performance data falls outside of a tolerance of said at least one business rule or design rule, and wherein said at least one processor is configured to receive an automatic disapproval of the proposed reconciliation and transmit a notification to said at least one buyer or said at least one seller. 
     
     
         18 . The system as described in  claim 13 , wherein said at least one processor is configured to receive an electronic approval of the discrepancy from said at least one seller. 
     
     
         19 . The system as described in  claim 13 , wherein said at least one processor is configured to receive an electronic disapproval of the discrepancy from said at least one seller and receive a second proposed reconciliation from said at least one buyer, and receive approval or disapproval of said second proposed reconciliation from said at least one seller. 
     
     
         20 . The system as described in  claim 13 , wherein said at least one processor is configured to receive an electronic disapproval of the discrepancy from said at least one seller and receive a second proposed reconciliation from said at least one seller, and receive approval or disapproval of said second proposed reconciliation from said at least one buyer. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the actual performance data comprises an invoice, a field ticket, or combinations thereof related to the indication of said at least one good, said at least one service, or combinations thereof used for performance of at least said portion of the project. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the purchase order data is a service agreement or a contract between said at least one buyer and said at least one seller relating to said at least one good, said at least one service, and combinations thereof required for the performance of at least said portion of the project. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said at least one processor is configured to compare at least one line item for said at least one good, said at least one service, or a combination thereof from each of the purchase order data and the actual performance data to determine the discrepancy. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said at least one processor is configured to compare total dollar amount associated with a fulfillment of at least said portion of the project from each of the purchase order data and the actual performance data to determine the discrepancy. 
     
     
         25 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer executable program for procuring at least one good, at least one service, or combinations thereof, for reconciling actual performance data with purchase order data of a purchase order for a project ordered by a buyer and performed by a seller, wherein in a regular course of matters the project involves or is expected to involve a discrepancy between the actual performance data and the purchase order data that will require reconciliation, and wherein the actual performance data may be provided through a field ticket, an invoice, or combinations thereof, the computer program when executed causes a computer system to execute steps of:
 obtaining and storing in at least one data storage medium electronically accessible to at least one processor the purchase order data relating to the project, wherein said obtaining and storing comprising:
 identifying parameters for the project provided by at least one buyer; 
 converting said parameters into request for the purchase order data relating to the project, wherein the purchase order data comprises an initial estimate of said at least one good, said at least one service, or combinations thereof required for performance of at least a portion of the project; 
 sending said request, via a communication network, to at least one seller; 
 receiving a response from said at least one seller via said communication network; 
 verifying whether said response from said at least one seller comprises modifications to said request for the purchase order data; 
 based on verifying, receiving and storing approval or disapproval of said modifications from said at least one buyer; and 
 generating said purchase order data to be performed by said at least one seller for performance of at least said portion of the project based on receiving approval of said modifications from said at least one buyer; 
   receiving and storing in said at least one data storage medium electronically accessible to said at least one processor the actual performance data via said communication network, wherein the actual performance data comprises an indication of said at least one good, said at least one service, or combinations thereof used for performance of at least said portion of the project;   using said at least one processor to compare the actual performance data to the purchase order data to determine a discrepancy between the actual performance data and the purchase order data;   sending an electronic notification of the discrepancy to said at least one buyer;   receiving a proposed reconciliation from said at least one buyer; and   receiving approval or disapproval of the proposed reconciliation from said at least one seller.   
     
     
         26 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as described in  claim 25 , wherein the actual performance data comprises an actual cost, in whole or in part, of said at least one good, said at least one service, or combinations thereof in performance of at least said portion of the project. 
     
     
         27 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as described in  claim 25 , wherein the actual performance data comprises an actual accounting other than actual cost, in whole or in part, of said at least one good, said at least one service, or combinations thereof in performance of at least said portion of the project. 
     
     
         28 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as described in  claim 25 , wherein the computer program when executed causes the computer system to further execute the step of using said at least one processor to compare the discrepancy between the purchase order data and the actual performance data with at least one business rule or design rule related to said parameters of the project stored in said at least one data storage medium, wherein the discrepancy between the purchase order data and the actual performance data falls within a tolerance of said at least one business rule or design rule, and wherein the step of receiving approval or disapproval of a proposed reconciliation comprises receiving automatic approval of the proposed reconciliation. 
     
     
         29 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as described in  claim 25 , wherein the computer program when executed causes the computer system to further execute the step of using said at least one processor to compare the discrepancy between the purchase order data and the actual performance data with at least one business rule or design rule related to said parameters of the project stored in said at least one data storage medium, wherein the discrepancy between the purchase order data and the actual performance data falls outside of a tolerance of said at least one business rule or design rule, and wherein the step of receiving approval or disapproval of proposed reconciliation comprises receiving automatic disapproval of the proposed reconciliation and transmission of a notification to said at least one buyer or said at least one seller. 
     
     
         30 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as described in  claim 25 , wherein the step of receiving approval or disapproval of the proposed reconciliation comprises receiving an electronic approval of the discrepancy from said at least one seller. 
     
     
         31 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as described in  claim 25 , wherein the step of receiving approval or disapproval of the proposed reconciliation comprises receiving an electronic disapproval of the discrepancy from said at least one seller and receiving a second proposed reconciliation from said at least one buyer, and receiving approval or disapproval of said second proposed reconciliation from said at least one seller. 
     
     
         32 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as described in  claim 25 , wherein the step of receiving approval or disapproval of the proposed reconciliation comprises receiving an electronic disapproval of the discrepancy from said at least one seller and receiving a second proposed reconciliation from said at least one seller, and receiving approval or disapproval of said second proposed reconciliation from said at least one buyer. 
     
     
         33 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as described in  claim 25 , wherein the actual performance data comprises an invoice, a field ticket, or combinations thereof related to the indication of said at least one good, said at least one service, or combinations thereof used for performance of at least said portion of the project. 
     
     
         34 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as described in  claim 25 , wherein the purchase order data is a service agreement or a contract between said at least one buyer and said at least one seller relating to said at least one good, said at least one service, and combinations thereof required for the performance of at least said portion of the project. 
     
     
         35 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as described in  claim 25 , wherein the computer program when executed causes the computer system to further execute the step of comparing at least one line item for said at least one good, said at least one service, or a combination thereof from each of the purchase order data and the actual performance data to determine the discrepancy. 
     
     
         36 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as described in  claim 25 , wherein the computer program when executed causes the computer system to further execute the step of comparing total dollar amount associated with a fulfillment of at least said portion of the project from each of the purchase order data and the actual performance data to determine the discrepancy.