Patent ID: 7587341
Filing Date: 2009-09-08
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. In a microcomputer-based system, a method for enabling a purchasing entity to direct sourcing of one or more components of a part, the method comprising: a) electronically generating sourcing requirements for a part; b) electronically generating a listing for the part after electronically generating sourcing requirements for the part, wherein the listing identifies the one or more components, the listing being stored in digital form on an electronic storage medium; c) electronically transmitting a first request for quotation of the part in the listing to a primary supplier; d) electronically transmitting a second request for quotation of the one or more components from the purchasing entity to a secondary supplier; e) electronically receiving, at the purchasing entity, a first quotation from the secondary supplier for the one or more components in response to the second request; f) electronically generating a purchase agreement indicating that the secondary supplier provides the one or more components to the purchasing entity; g) electronically transmitting instructions to the primary supplier to specify the secondary supplier as a supplier for the one or more components in a primary quotation; and h) electronically receiving the primary quotation for the part from the primary supplier in response to (i) the first request and (ii) electronically transmitting with the microcomputer-based system, instructions to the primary supplier to specify the secondary supplier as the supplier.