Patent ID: 7778870
Filing Date: 2010-08-17
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method for centralizing the simultaneous operation and management of a plurality of online incentive programs for salespersons, from a plurality of manufacturers and vendors, the method comprising the steps of: providing a host system for communicating with at least one program manager terminal accessible by program managers, at least one administration terminal accessible by an administrator, and at least one participant terminal accessible by salespersons wherein the host system comprises a host computer operably linked to the program manager terminal, administration terminal and participant terminal by a communications network; allowing a plurality of program managers to create and input a plurality of proposed sales incentive programs for a plurality of salespersons each covering one or more eligible products and/or services into the program manager terminal for transmission to the host system via the communications network; transmitting data indicative of the proposed incentive programs to the administration terminal to provide the administrator to have the opportunity to review and approve or disapprove the proposed incentive programs; activating the proposed incentive programs on the host system to create approved incentive programs only upon approval of the proposed incentive programs by the administrator via the administration terminal to create a plurality of authorized incentive programs; enrolling the salespersons at the host computer in the approved incentive programs; receiving information on the sales of products and/or services over the communications network and into the host system; at the host computer, automatically determining if the products and/or services that were sold are eligible products and/or services; and at the host computer, crediting the salespersons for the sale of eligible products and/or services.