Patent ID: 8280760
Filing Date: 2012-10-02
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method for generating a pricing estimate for a customer of a small business, comprising: displaying, by a financial application executing on a processor and configured to manage finances for the small business, a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising a GUI widget loaded with a plurality of line items corresponding to an industry of the small business; receiving, from a user associated with the small business and operating the financial application, a selection of a first line item and a second line item using the GUI widget; receiving, from the user, a request to generate the pricing estimate for at least the first line item and the second line item; obtaining, by the financial application and from a pricing server operatively connected to the financial application, a plurality of pricing data comprising a first price for the first line item and a second price for the second line item, wherein the pricing server collects the plurality of pricing data from a plurality of suppliers who agree to share the pricing data; accessing a pricing rule specifying a profit percentage to be applied to the first price to increase profitability of the small business; applying, by the financial application, the pricing rule to the first price for the first line item to obtain an adjusted price; populating the GUI with at least the first price, the second price, and the adjusted price; calculating, by the financial application, the pricing estimate based on the adjusted price and the second price; displaying, by the financial application, the pricing estimate within the GUI; and sending, by the financial application, the pricing estimate to a customer of the small business.