Patent ID: 7788149
Filing Date: 2010-08-31
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method for the acquisition of capital equipment using web-based purchase pooling, wherein the method is implemented by one or more processors executing processor instructions stored on a computer readable medium, the method comprising the processor implemented steps of: storing a default specification for capital equipment in a database; assigning a plurality of potential buyers to a purchasing pool, at least one or more the potential buyers having an interest in the collective purchase of the capital equipment; providing access to the default specification via a web-based system in communication with the database to the plurality of potential buyers using client devices over a network, wherein the default specification is associated with the purchasing pool; receiving, by the web-based system, a plurality of customized specifications based on the default specification from one or more of the plurality of potential buyers via the client devices, wherein the plurality of customized specifications are stored in the database; determining, by the web-based system, common portions and non-common portions of the plurality of customized specifications based on a comparison of the plurality of customized specifications; receiving, by the web-based system, a plurality of weights associated with the non-common portions from one or more of the plurality of potential buyers via the client devices; selecting, by the web-based system, at least one of the non-common portions, wherein the non-common portions associated with the highest weights are selected, wherein selecting at least one of the non-common portions comprises prioritizing the non-common portions, and selecting at least one of the non-common portions with the highest priority, and wherein prioritizing the non-common portions is based on the number of capital equipment; and providing, by the web-based system, a request for proposal to at least one potential seller of capital equipment, wherein the request for proposal comprises the common portions and the selected non-common portions and a number of capital equipment for each of the plurality of potential buyers, and wherein the request for proposal represents at least two or more of the potential buyers to the purchasing pool.