Patent ID: 7742954
Filing Date: 2010-06-22
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented method comprising: providing, via a network connection, a customer access to a set of service providers offered through an Internet-based portal; receiving a request by the customer for the portal to send an invitation to a new service provider to join the set of service providers offered by the portal; sending an electronic invitation from the portal to the new service provider and inviting the new service provider to submit a request to join the set of service providers provided by the portal; receiving by the portal the request from the new service provider to join the set of service providers and performing an evaluation of the new service provider that determines a level of access that is granted to the new service provider to offer services to customers via the portal; and executing a rule set by the new service provider to accept a first type of service request automatically and to accept a second type of service request only after receipt of a communication from the new service provider manually indicating acceptance.