Patent ID: 7680681
Filing Date: 2010-03-16
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A system for sharing information among companies, agencies, and agents, the system comprising: a memory configured to store the information and programs, wherein the information comprises insurance data, including customer, sales, agent, and commissions data, and wherein the memory is further configured to store business roles and business relationship rules for the companies, the agencies, the agents, and customers; a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to access the memory for the information, the business roles, and the business relationship rules, and run the programs stored in the memory; a communication port, coupled to the processor, configured to transfer the information, under control of the processor, between the memory and each of the companies, the agencies, the agents, and customers; wherein the information further comprises business relationship data among the companies, the agencies, the agents, and the customers, with the companies offering insurance products for purchase by the customers directly, for purchase by the customers through the agents, or for purchase by the customers through the agents affiliated with the agencies; and wherein the programs comprise: wherein the information stored in the memory is shared among the companies, the agencies, and the agents based on the business relationship rules as determined by the permission program and the distribution program, with business relationships established horizontally and vertically in hierarchical relationships among the companies, the agencies, the agents, and the customers such that the companies, the agencies, the agents, and the customers are able to establish independent vertical hierarchical relationships and the agents are able to establish horizontal business relationships to form agencies within the vertical hierarchical relationships, and wherein the programs provide for the information to be displayed only to the company, the agency, or the agent that entered the information along with the information that is shared and provide for the company, the agency, and the agent to each participate independently within the system without requiring participation with the other registered companies, agencies, or agents within the system, with at least a portion of the information, available only to one or more of the agencies, the agents, or the customers that are lower vertically in the hierarchical relationship relative to the company, the agency, or the agent that entered the information, and not shared with one or more companies that are higher vertically in the hierarchical relationship.