Patent ID: 6980964
Filing Date: 2005-12-27
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method of creating, via a network, a print market place, in which a market portal gathers information from a service provider and an interactive shop to create a relationship between the service provider and the interactive shop, and the interactive shop offers products and/or services to its customers, the method comprising: collecting, by the market portal, market information, comprising an identity of service providers and the print services and pricing provided by each of the service providers; storing, by the market portal, the market information; obtaining, by the market portal, criteria established by an interactive shop for selecting service providers to provide the print services, wherein the criteria is edited using a selection criteria interface which comprises a listing of a plurality of categories for selection of service providers and possible input; and selecting, by the market portal, one or more service providers identified using the market information to provide the set of print services based on the criteria and the market information; wherein the interactive shop offers products and services to its customers via a graphical user interface by which a customer of the interactive shop orders products and services offered by the interactive shop; and wherein the print services and pricing information is collected and the selection criteria is obtained independent of an order by a customer.