Abstract:
A method executed at least in part in a computing device for providing cloud based skip tracing is provided. The method includes providing a cloud based service enabling data interchange with a plurality of vendors providing skip tracing services and receiving at the cloud based service and from a user a file of records for skip tracing. The method further includes applying a waterfall process to the records using the computing device wherein the waterfall process includes at least a subset of the plurality of vendors and returning to the user a results file containing skip tracing results corresponding to the records. The method may further include generating a waterfall score card and sending the waterfall score card to the user, the waterfall score card summarizing performance of the subset of the plurality of vendors.

Description:
PRIORITY STATEMENT 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/645,141, filed Oct. 4, 2012, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a cloud-based skip tracing application. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a cloud-based skip tracing application which allows a user to interact with multiple data vendors in a waterfall process. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Skip tracing often involves using numerous different databases or other vendor services to identify accurate and current information for an individual. Because not all information is available from a single source there are numerous complexities introduced into the skip tracing process. This can include determining which vendors to use as some vendors may be more likely to have certain information than other vendors. This can also include determining the order of vendors to use when more than one vendor is used. There may be additional concerns regarding different vendor services including the time it takes with a particular vendor, the cost of using a particular vendor, and other concerns. Moreover, the more vendors that have to be used in order to identify information, the longer the process takes. 
         [0004]    What is needed is an improved method, apparatus, and system for performing skip tracing. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Therefore, it is a primary object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to improve over the state of the art. 
         [0006]    It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention that provides for a cloud-based solution to skip-tracing. 
         [0007]    Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a platform for skip tracing which allows a user to interface with multiple data vendors. 
         [0008]    Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to deliver B2B, analytically-driven skip data to the customer in one robust platform. 
         [0009]    A further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to bring together multiple skip vendors through a unique waterfall process. 
         [0010]    A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide optimal waterfall processes designed for various purposes—specific industries, based on account characteristics, and/or skipped product type. 
         [0011]    Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide users the ability to adjust waterfall settings to suit the purpose of their skip searches. 
         [0012]    Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a service which can be accessed via an easy-to-use, web-based application and allows the user to control their skip tracing process to meet their company&#39;s needs. 
         [0013]    A further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to allow for clients to send files in various formats and to recognize the format of the files. 
         [0014]    A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to adapt to different file layouts from different vendors and to allow for testing of the vendors. 
         [0015]    Another object, feature, or advantage is to allow a user to upload a file to be sent through multiple product packages of their choice. 
         [0016]    A still further object, feature, or advantage is to provide a billing process and registration process that will be common to multiple products. 
         [0017]    One or more of these and/or other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims that follow. No single embodiment need meet each and every object, feature, or advantage described above and it should be appreciated that different embodiments may have different objects, features, or advantages. 
         [0018]    According to one aspect, the present invention provides a cloud-based application that focuses on delivering business-to-business (B2B), analytically-driven skip data to the customer in one robust platform by allowing a user to simply interface with multiple data vendors. The invention brings together multiple skip vendors through a waterfall process. Using analytics, optimal waterfall processes may be designed for various purposes (including to meet different and specific industry needs) based on account characteristics, and/or skipped product type. A user has the option of adjusting the waterfall settings to meet the purpose of their skip searches. 
         [0019]    The cloud-based application is preferably an easy-to-use web-based application. Through the application the user is given the ability to control the skip tracing process in a manner that meets their needs. This may include creating different waterfalls by selecting service level and product packages. Thus, a user can access multiple skip tracing sources through a single interface. The waterfall process may include a number of different vendors and a specified sequence of vendors. Thus, a client input file may pass through multiple vendors until a hit is returned. When a record within the client input file receives a hit, it may be returned to the client, while the rest of the records in the client input file are sent onto the next vendor in the waterfall. This process continues until the last vendor in a waterfall has been skipped. 
         [0020]    Data may be stored at the record level and be used for any number of purposes including reporting to the client, analytic-based research for optimizing waterfalls, and development of models to use in driving the waterfall process, for example. 
         [0021]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a method executed at least in part in a computing device for providing cloud based skip tracing is provided. The method includes providing a cloud based service enabling data interchange with a plurality of vendors providing skip tracing services and receiving at the cloud based service and from a user a file of records for skip tracing. The method further includes applying a waterfall process to the records using the computing device wherein the waterfall process includes at least a subset of the plurality of vendors and returning to the user a results file containing skip tracing results corresponding to the records. The method may further include generating a waterfall score card and sending the waterfall score card to the user, the waterfall score card summarizing performance of the subset of the plurality of vendors. 
         [0022]    According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a server operatively connected to a network. The server is configured for providing cloud-based skip tracing. 
         [0023]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a method executed at least in part in a computing device for providing cloud based skip tracing is provided. The method includes providing a cloud based service enabling data interchange with a plurality of vendors providing skip tracing services and providing a client user interface to clients of the cloud based service wherein the client user interface provides for mapping fields of a client file to a standard input file layout. The method further includes providing an administrator user interface to administrators of the cloud based service wherein the administrator user interface provides for specifying a file layout for files from a vendor though file mapping and establishing a testing status for the vendor. The method further includes receiving at the cloud based service and from a user a file of records for skip tracing, applying a waterfall process to the records using the computing device wherein the waterfall process includes at least a subset of the plurality of vendors, and returning to the user a results file containing skip tracing results corresponding to the records. 
         [0024]    According to another aspect a method executed at least in part in a computing device for providing cloud based skip tracing is provided. The method includes providing a cloud based skip tracing service enabling data interchange with a plurality of vendors providing skip tracing services, providing a registration process for the cloud based skip tracing service, the registration process being a common registration process for a plurality of products or services including the cloud based skip tracing service, providing a billing process for the cloud based skip tracing service, the billing process being a common billing process for the plurality of products or services including the cloud based skip tracing service, receiving at the cloud based service and from a user a file of records for skip tracing, applying a waterfall process to the records using the computing device wherein the waterfall process includes at least a subset of the plurality of vendors, and returning to the user a results file containing skip tracing results corresponding to the records. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating one example of a system of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating one example of a method. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating a method for processing a client input file. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating processing of a record. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate a method for processing an input file. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  illustrates a method relating to a results file prepared for a client. 
           [0031]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate an example of decision tree with four layers of custom criteria. 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  illustrates three different examples of waterfall processes in comparison to a conventional process. 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a screen display of an example of a login screen. 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a screen display showing a dashboard. 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is a screen display showing selection of an input file. 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is a screen display showing selections of a product package. 
           [0037]      FIG. 13  is a block diagram illustrating the analysis of return files to assist in building models or waterfall score cards. 
           [0038]      FIG. 14  to  FIG. 18  illustrate a file map wizard tool which may be made available to clients to setup and store file layouts specific to clients. 
           [0039]      FIG. 19  to  FIG. 24  illustrate a vendor test module. 
           [0040]      FIG. 25  is a screen display which allows different product packages to be selected for an uploaded file. 
           [0041]      FIG. 26  illustrates a system  2600  which allows for a common registration process. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0042]      FIG. 1  illustrates one example of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , a system  10  is shown which includes a host  12 . The host  12  may be a web server or other type of server or other computing device which is operatively connected to the “cloud”  14 . As used herein, the “cloud” refers to a network such as a wide area network such as the Internet. Various client devices such as computers  16 , tablets  18 , smart phones  20 , or other computing devices may also be in operative communication with the cloud  14 . Also shown in  FIG. 1  are a number of vendors  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 . These vendors may provide various services for skip tracing through online or electronic databases or other means. These vendors may offer their services through the cloud  14  to the host  12 , although the services may otherwise be provided. Where computing devices within the system are used, it is to be understood that the computing devices may be programmed with instructions for performing various functions. Such instructions may also be stored on non-transitory computer readable storage media. 
         [0043]    The host  12  preferably has an associated computer readable storage medium with instructions for performing various functions or methods as described herein.  FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a process  100  which the host  12  may be programmed to perform. In step  101  client data is received. The client data may be in the form of a file containing names and/or other information or records. In step  102  waterfall logic is applied. The waterfall logic applied may be based on client preferences, default logic, or other logic regarding the manner in which services and products of vendors should be used in order to provide skip tracing. In step  104  results obtained from various services and products of vendors are analyzed in various ways such as to validate results and remove duplicates or dedup. Various types of validation checks may be applied in order to validate results. For example, a validation check may be performed on any phone number or address received from a vendor before passing onto the client as a result. The skipped result may be cross-checked against tables or information for legitimacy. For example, area code and prefix combinations for phone numbers may be checked to determine validity and state and zip code combinations may be checked to determine validity. Skip results that fail the validation check may be rejected and not returned to the client as a hit. 
         [0044]    A dedup process may be used because the vendor skip searches may provide the same information for multiple records. Therefore, dedup processes guard against providing duplicate information to the client. Dedup processes may be run at the vendor and upon receipt of a hit from a vendor. Deduping may be performed on phone numbers, addresses, or email addresses. It is contemplated that for some types of information it may be preferable that dedup processes not be performed such as for results associated with products directed towards obtaining bankruptcy, deceased, or incarcerated information where the result can be relevant if the same information is returned multiple times. In addition, the dedup process may be performed against information, such as phone numbers, which are provided by the client as a part of the client data in an input file. Also, the dedup may be configured to skip results that have been previously returned to the client for a particular record. 
         [0045]    It is further noted that cost or time constraints may be applied as a part of the waterfall logic applied. One example of a cost constraint may be that a client selects to set a maximum cost per waterfall. Such a setting allows a client to control the cost incurred per record for each waterfall. Once a record reaches the maximum cost, the record is rejected from skip tracing and returned to the client. Thus, the maximum cost per waterfall is one example of a cost constraint that may be set. 
         [0046]    One example of a time constraint may be allowing a client to set a time frame for receiving results files. This constraint may be used to return to the client a results file if the time limit has expired before the waterfall finishes processing. The waterfall will continue to process and return any results in a separate file. This feature also provides a failsafe mechanism against potential vendors&#39; processing issues. Due to the waterfall process being dependent on multiple vendors, if one of those vendors is having system issues, processing may still continue without delaying the return of results to the client. 
         [0047]    Returning to  FIG. 2 , in step  106 , after processing, results may be delivered to the client. The present invention further contemplates any number of different types of reporting. One such example may be a processing report. A processing report may be an automated report sent back to client to show results of files submitted. This report may be by file and may include the file&#39;s batch number, hits, and number of phone numbers received. This report may be kept by the client for reconciliation purposes. Another type of report may be an at-a-glance report. An at-a-glance report may be a static report that is viewed through the cloud-based service and may provide an overview of the waterfall statistics for a given time period. Preferably an at-a-glance report provides summary information for the most used waterfalls based on number of records submitted. Other reports may include dynamic reports such as those that a user may create. In addition, reports may be generated from result data returned to the client to show waterfall accuracy statistics as will be later explained herein. 
         [0048]    Thus, a cloud-based service is provided which manages the data interchange with a plurality of vendors providing skip tracing services according to waterfall logic which identifies and/or sequences different products and services of the different vendors. 
         [0049]      FIG. 3  illustrates a process  300  which may be performed when a client provides a data file. In step  302  the incoming file from the client is shown. In step  304 , a determination is made as to what service level is requested. The present invention contemplates that any number of different service levels may be provided and different features may be provided based on the service level. In this example, a basic service level is provided and a conditional service level is provided. Both service levels provide for deduping skip information, validating phone numbers and addresses and dynamic reporting. The basic level of service uses an automatic skip trace waterfall. The conditional service level allows the client to customize the application of the waterfall logic. If the service level is basic, then in step  306  a custom insert field may be read, the customer insert field may be used to specify a particular waterfall to use. The custom insert field may include a waterfall indicator code to indicate a particular waterfall to use. 
         [0050]    In step  308  a determination is made as to whether the custom insert field is blank. If it is, then in step  312  the record may be sent to be processed using a default waterfall. Alternatively, if the custom insert is not blank then in step  310  a determination is made as to whether the value in that field is a valid waterfall. If it is then the record may be processed using the specified waterfall. If the value is not a valid waterfall then in step  316  a rejected report may be generated including reporting on the fact that the specified waterfall was not recognized as valid. 
         [0051]    Returning to step  304 , a determination may be made that the service level is conditional. When the service level is condition, users may customize the application of the waterfalls such as to use more than one waterfall per product package without creating multiple files. If the service level is conditional, then in step  318  the custom insert field may be read. In step  320  a determination is as to whether or not custom insert field is blank. If it is, then in step  322  conditionals may be used to determine the appropriate waterfall. If not then in step  324  a determination is made as to whether the value within the field is associated with a valid waterfall. If it is then in step  326  the record may be sent to the waterfall. If it is not then in step  316  information about the invalid entry may be included in a report. 
         [0052]      FIG. 4  illustrates a method  400  for further processing records. In step  402  records from the service level process shown in  FIG. 3  may be received. In step  404 , client waterfalls may be ordered in descending order to the date created. In step  406  a determination is made as to whether records meet the conditional statements. If not then in step  408  any record which does not meet the conditional statements may be rejected. For records which meet conditional statements, in step  410  a determination is made as to whether records meet more than one conditional statement. If not, then the records may be sent to the waterfall in step  412 . If the records do meet more than one conditional statement, then in step  414  the records are sent to the oldest active waterfall in step  414 . 
         [0053]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate a method  500 . In step  502 , input is received from a client. In step  504  an acknowledgement report may be produced. Such a report may be communicated to the client. In step  506  a product package may be determined by the name of the input file although the present invention contemplates that product packages may otherwise be identified. Product packages may be pre-determined combinations of skip tracing product offerings. The package selected is used to determine the information on which the skip activity will be conducted. It may be used as an indicator of what vendors are available for any particular waterfall. In step  508  a determination may be made as to the service level such as basic or conditional. If the service level is conditional then in step  510  a decision tree may be used to determine a waterfall. Returning to step  508 , if the service level is basic then in step  512  a waterfall may be applied as directed. 
         [0054]    In step  514  a summary report may be generated which may include totals by waterfall, the records which were rejected, or other information. Then in step  516  a vendor input file may be created from the client input file. In step  518  the input file may be sent to a vendor. In step  520  skip results may be returned from the vendor. Next, as shown in  FIG. 5B , in step  522  a determination is made as to whether a record received a hit. If not then in step  524  a determination is made as to whether the cost after obtaining the record meets the maximum allowable cost. If not then in step  528  a determination is made as to whether there is a next vendor in the waterfall. If there is then the process returns to step  516  in  FIG. 5A  by creating a vendor input file from the client input file for the next vendor. 
         [0055]    If there are no more vendors in the waterfall then the process proceeds to step  526  where results from the vendor are temporarily held. Returning to step  522 , if the record did receive a hit then the process also continues to step  526 . Returning to step  524  if the record does meet the maximum allowable cost the process also continues to step  526 . After the results from the vendor are temporarily held in step  526 , in step  530  a results file may be created to send to a client. A separate results file may be provided for each waterfall. In step  532 , a results report is produced. In step  534  the results file may be sent to the client. In step  536  a file status check may be performed. 
         [0056]      FIG. 6  illustrates a method  600  for managing a result file which is made available to a client such as on a file transfer protocol (ftp) site or a secure file transfer protocol (sftp) site. As shown in  FIG. 6 , at step  602  a file is waiting to be downloaded. In step  604 , a determination is made as to whether or not the file has been downloaded. If it has, then the received information from the client may be input in step  612 . If it has not been downloaded, in step  606  a determination is made as to whether the file has been waiting for a set period of time (such as 10 days in this example). If it has, then in step  614 , a notification may be sent to the client warning that the file is waiting to be downloaded. If the file is still waiting to be downloaded after another set period of time (such as 20 days total in this example) in step  608 , then in step  616  a notification may be sent to the client warning that the file is waiting to be downloaded and will be deleted after a set period of time (such as in 10 more days). A determination is made in step  610 , a determination is made as to whether the file has been waiting for a client for another set time period (such as 30 days total in this example). If it has then in step  618  the file may be deleted from an FTP site where the file has been waiting to be downloaded by the client. In step  620  an email notification may be sent to the client that the file has been deleted. 
         [0057]    It is to be understood that making a file available on an FTP web site is merely one way that a file may be delivered to a client. Doing so is convenient in that the client may immediately access the file if desired while at that same time recognizes that files may very large and thus not conducive to being sent via email or similar means. However, it is contemplated that files may be communicated in any number of other ways including alternative electronic means or may be delivered on physical media, or other means as may be appropriate with a particular implementation of the invention. 
         [0058]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate a decision tree  700  with four levels of custom criteria. Actual custom criteria used may be selected by a client and may have more or fewer levels. In step  702  an input file is received from a client. In step  704  a first balance range has an associated first age range  706  and a second age range  708 . For the first age range  706 , there is a first score range  710  and a second score range  712 . For the second age range  708  there is a first score range  714  and a second score range  716 . For the first score range  710 , there is a first phone range  718  and a second phones range  720 . Similarly, for the second score range  712 , there is a first phones range  722  and a second phones range  724 . Similarly for the first score range  714 , there is a first phone ranges  726 , and a second phones range  728 . For the second score range  716 , there is a first phones range  730  and a second phones range  732 . For each phones range there is an associated waterfall  734 ,  736 ,  738 ,  740 ,  742 ,  744 ,  746 ,  748 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 7B  illustrates a second balance range  750  with a first age range  752  and a second age range  754 . For the first age range  752 , there is a first score range  756  and a second score range  758 . For the second age range  754 , there is a first score range  760 , and a second score range  762 . For the first score range  756  there is a first phones range  764 , a second phones range  766 . For the second score range  758 , there is a first phones range  768  and a second phones range  770 . For the first score range  760 , there is a first phones range  772  and a second phones range  774 . For the second score range  762 , there is a first phones range  776  and a second phones range  778 . For each phone range there is an associated waterfall  780 ,  782 ,  784 ,  786 ,  788 ,  790 ,  792 ,  794 . 
         [0060]    After the waterfalls, in step  796  a determination made as to whether or not the record met the maximum cost per waterfall. If it has, then in step  798  the record may be returned to the client as rejected. If not, then in step  799  the record can be sent to vendors. 
         [0061]      FIG. 8  compares a conventional process to different examples for various embodiments of a waterfall  800 . A conventional process  802  is shown as well as a first waterfall process  804 , and a second waterfall process  806 . In the conventional process  802 , a record is sent for skip tracing in step  808 . In step  810  a decision is made to determine a first vendor  812 . Then in step  814  a decision is made regarding additional vendors  816 . In step  818 , a decision is made regarding another vendor  820 . Thus, the process involves a number of discrete steps regarding decisions to make at every step of the process with attendant delays every time a decision is needed. 
         [0062]    In the first waterfall  804 , in step  822 , the record is sent for skip tracing. In step  824  a decision tree is applied and in step  826  a waterfall is provided which defines a sequence of vendors. In the second waterfall  806 , in step  828 , the record is sent for skip tracing. A first model  830  may be applied as well as a second model  832 . The first model may have a probability of a hit  834  and a second model may provide a probability of RPC  836 . A formula  838  may be applied to provide a waterfall  840  which includes a sequence of optimal vendors. Thus, the first waterfall  804  and the second waterfall  806  both provide significant advantages over the conventional process  802 . 
         [0063]    In  FIG. 9 , a screen display  900  is shown which allows a user to select a registration button  902  if they have not yet registered to use the system. If the user has already registered, then they may enter their username  904  and password  906  and select the login button  908  to login. 
         [0064]      FIG. 10  illustrates a screen display  1000  which may be presented to a user after they have logged into the system. Menu items  1002  are presented near the top of the screen display. In addition, a user can specify a file to upload  1004 . They may also select a product package  1006 . In addition, file status information  1008  is provided.  FIG. 11  illustrates a screen display  1100  and provides a dialog box or window  1010  where a user may choose a file to upload. The present invention contemplates that files may be uploaded in a standard or pre-defined format. In addition, it is contemplated that file map wizard or other tool may be used to allow the user to send files in any format. With such a tool a user may be taken through a series of steps to map their own file layout. 
         [0065]      FIG. 12  illustrates a screen display  1200  which allows a user to select the type of product package. The present invention contemplates that various types of product packages may be used. For example, different types of product package may include the type of skip trace information to be determined. This may include address only, address and phone, phone only, email address, or other information. The type of product package may also be associated with the purpose of the search. For example the search may relate to bankruptcy, incarceration, litigation, or other purposes. The below table illustrates example of product packages and the type of skip data which may be returned. Of course, the present invention contemplates that any type of skip data may be used as may be appropriate for a particular industry or for particular circumstances. It is to be further understood that a particular file may be sent through multiple product packages of a user&#39;s choice. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Product Package 
                 Skip Data Returned 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Phones Search 
                 Phone Numbers 
               
               
                   
                 Contact Information 
                 Phone Numbers 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Address 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Email Address 
               
               
                   
                 Place of Employment 
                 Employer Name 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Employer Address 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Employer Phone Number 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Employee Position 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Employee Verified Flag 
               
               
                   
                 Deceased Scrub 
                 Deceased Flag 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Deceased Date 
               
               
                   
                 Incarcerated Scrub 
                 Incarcerated Flag 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Date of Incarceration 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Incarcerated Location 
               
               
                   
                 Cell Phone Search 
                 Phone Numbers 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Cell Phone Indicator 
               
               
                   
                 Litigious Persons Search (Basic) 
                 Litigious Person Indicator 
               
               
                   
                 Litigious Persons Search 
                 Litigious Person Indicator 
               
               
                   
                 (Premium) 
                 Attorney Information 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0066]      FIG. 13  illustrates a diagram illustrating a waterfall scorecard. In system  1300  an analysis component  1304  is provided to produce a waterfall scorecard  1306 . The waterfall scorecard  1306  provides for advanced level reporting on the accuracy of the skip vendors. It may use an additional return file  1302  from the client with validation information per skip result to match with the source vendor. The return file  1302  from the client may provide unique phone/account level information that identifies which phone number received which result. This data may come in transactional style. In one embodiment, the data may include: a unique identifier, a responsible party code (RPC) phone number and date, a work number phone number and date, attempt and date, any other action taken on a phone and its date. The matched data may be summarized and returned to the client. The client can use the scorecard  1306  to determine how well each of their vendors are performing, and make adjustments to their waterfall(s) as necessary. As the source information is not generally returned to the client, generic names (e.g. “generic vendor 1”, “vendor 2,” etc.) may be used to identify vendors in the scorecard. 
         [0067]    Analytics may be also be used to create models based on information using the analysis component  1304 . It is contemplated that data returned by a client may be either part of the collective or logically removed from all other data and not used in the collective analysis. Clients may be given a choice of being part of the collective and receiving the benefit of a large data set or not to be. The collective data will be used to create models  1308  that will predict the probability to contact the consumer. It is contemplated that models  1308  may be industry specific models, or based on other information. 
         [0068]    A record sent for skip tracing may then use an existing model to determine the probability of a hit per vendor and the expected probability of contact per vendor. The combination of the two probabilities may be used to determine the best vendor for that record. This vendor determination process may be used for phone number skip tracing or skip tracing for other types of contact information. 
         [0069]      FIG. 14  to  FIG. 18  illustrate another aspect which provides for a file map wizard tool which may be made available to clients to setup and store file layouts specific to clients. Thus, instead of using only files in a specific file layout, such as a tab delimited text file, other file layouts may be used. The file map wizard may import a sample file and map the client&#39;s fields to the a standard layout. This information may be stored and then when other files are received from the client such a format will be expected. At any time, a client may edit their file format settings should they have need to change their file formatting. 
         [0070]      FIG. 14  illustrates a File Map Wizard window  1400 . A first step is shown which allows a user to select a sample file by entering the file location within the text box  1402  directly or using the browse button  1404  to find the file. A preview of the file is shown in text box  1406 . A next button  1408  and cancel button  1410  are also shown. 
         [0071]      FIG. 15  illustrates a second step in which data within the file is defined including the text format, the presence or absence of a header record and a preview of the file selected. As shown in  FIG. 15 , text format  1412  is selected such as a fixed columns format or a delimited field format. Where a delimited field format is selected the type of character or symbol used to delimit fields may be selected such as a tab, comma, space, semicolon, or other character or symbol. Information regarding the header record  1414  may be selected including whether the file contains field names on a particular record number and if so the record number as well as where the data records begin. The preview  1416  is also shown. 
         [0072]      FIG. 16  illustrates a fixed column text format being selected and a different preview  1418  which shows column numbers. 
         [0073]      FIG. 17  illustrates a third step which includes defining individual data field formats. A shown in  FIG. 17 , a grid  1420  provides a fields column  1422 , a field type column  1424 , and a field format column  1426 . Examples of field types may include date, dollar, number, text. The field format depends upon the field type. Thus, for example where the field type is date, the field format may include different data formats. 
         [0074]      FIG. 18  illustrates a fourth step of mapping file fields to corresponding location in a file layout. Fields may be dragged from a your file column  1428  to the ClientIN File column  1432 , or selected and moved using arrow  1430 . Some fields may not be mapped and thus may remain in the Your File column  1428 . A finish button  1434  is also shown to complete the file mapping process by closing out the file mapping wizard and creating the records necessary to apply this file format for future files received from the client. 
         [0075]    Although various details regarding one embodiment of the file map wizard are shown in  FIGS. 14-18 , it is to be understood that different options, variations, and alternatives are contemplated. For example, instead of a single default file mapping which may be defined for a package of a client, the system may allow for choosing between different file mappings specified by the client. In addition, although various field formats and file layouts are described, other types of field formats and file layouts may be used as may be appropriate in particular situations. 
         [0076]    Another aspect relates to a vendor test module which is shown in  FIG. 19  to  FIG. 24 . As previously explained, numerous different vendors may be accommodated. However, when considering a new vendor or an existing vendor&#39;s new product offering, the new vendor should be tested. However, in order to test, a certain amount of effort would be needed to generate and process test files, then create the necessary SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) packages to include the vendor in production, along with the other vendors. This aspect provides a module that makes on-boarding vendors simple and streamlined. The module allows for entering in file information (format, mapping, name, SSIS creation, etc.) and promoting a vendor into production. 
         [0077]    In one embodiment, to set up a vendor in the test module, an Admin enters the vendor&#39;s business information on the setup page and a testing status of “Evaluation” may be specified. Testing status allows files with the vendor to be processed but without including the vendor in any active waterfalls as only “Active” vendors can be included in waterfalls. 
         [0078]    Next, the Admin may provide the system with the file details using a File Mapping Wizard.  FIG. 19  illustrates a first step using the File Mapping Wizard. A window  1900  is shown which allows a file direction  1902  to be specified. The file direction may be ingoing (e.g. “To LocateSmarter”) or outgoing (e.g. “From LocateSmarter”). The file direction indicates whether a file is to be accepted or created. If the file direction is ingoing, the vendor is returning a results file and the system needs to be able to read the file. If the file direction is outgoing, the system is creating the file to send to the vendor. A sample file may be selected  1904  and specified in text box  1906 . File name elements  1908  may be specified. This involves selecting element types such as from dropdown list boxes  1910 ,  1914 ,  1918 . Examples of element types include hardcoded text, date (generated), underscore, extensions, sequence number or other type. Depending upon the element type selected a text box  1912 ,  1920  may be displayed. For example, where hardcoded text is selected from the dropdown list box  1910 , the hardcoded text may be specified in the text box  1912 . Once this step is completed, a user may select the next button  1922  to proceed to the next step or the cancel button  1924  to cancel. 
         [0079]      FIG. 20  illustrates a next step in which the data within the file including a declaration of the text format  1926 , the header record  1928 , and a preview of file  1930 . The text format  1926  can be fixed columns or delimited fields. The header record can indicate if one is present that field names are present and at which record. The header record can also indicate at which record the data records starts. Once this step is completed, a user may select the next button  1922  to proceed to the next step or the cancel button  1924  to cancel. 
         [0080]      FIG. 21  illustrates the same step as shown in  FIG. 20 , except that the text format  1932  specifies a delimited field format, allowing the manner in which fields are delimited to be specified as well and a different preview  1934  is shown. Once this step is completed, a user may select the next button  1922  to proceed to the next step or the cancel button  1924  to cancel. 
         [0081]      FIG. 22  illustrates the screen shown in  FIG. 20  except showing the  1936  with fixed columns after the preview is generated. Once this step is completed, a user may select the next button  1922  to proceed to the next step or the cancel button  1924  to cancel. 
         [0082]      FIG. 23  illustrates a next step in which individual data field formats may be defined. This screen  1940  includes a grid  1942  with a field name column  1944 , a field type column  1946 , and a field format column  1948 . The field name column  1944  includes field names from the sample file. If the file contains a header record then the values in this column should be the corresponding text from the sample file. If the file does not contain a header record then the values in this column may be generic such as Field 1, Field 2, Field 3, . . . , Field n. The Field Type column may contain values from drop down lists. Examples of field types could include Date, Dollar, Number, Text, etc. The Field Formation may contain drop down lists for selecting the specific data format. The contents of these dropdown lists are dependent upon the field type. For example, if Date is selected as a Field Type, the Field Format drop down may include options such as MMDDYYYY, YYYYMMDD, MM/DD/YYYY, MM/DD/YY, etc. Once this step is completed, a user may select the next button  1922  to proceed to the next step or the cancel button  1924  to cancel. 
         [0083]      FIG. 24  illustrates a next step in mapping the file fields to its place in the database. The database fields need not be actual table and field names but may be a description of what the field is. As shown in  FIG. 24 , a column for file fields  1950  is shown and a column for database fields  1952  is also shown. The mapping may also indicate that a particular file field is not mapped to a database field. Once mapping is complete, a user can select a finish button  1954  or may select a cancel button  1924  at any time. Once the mapping is complete the file mapping wizard closes and a SSIS package is created for this vendor with the specified file direction. 
         [0084]    Once the files are mapped and the SSIS packages are created, the vendor testing can begin. Testing can occur with actual name, SSN, and date of birth combinations. The test module may be able to generate a test file on command. An Admin may have a form on the user interface in which they specify what to include in a test file. The specification may include the number of records to include in the test file, a checkbox to mark fields other than Name, SSN, Date of Birth and Address as blank, a drop down list box to select from which client to use for a test account population, and a text box for inputting the comment that should be stored for the transactions. The Admin may then select a Create Test File button to generate a test file. Thus, in this manner vendor services may be tested. When the vendor is ready to be moved into production, the Admin may simply change the status from Evaluation to Active. This enables the vendor to be included in production waterfalls. 
         [0085]    Once a vendor is approved, it may be added to waterfalls in the normal manner such as that shown in  FIG. 25 .  FIG. 25  illustrates a screen display  2500  which allows a file to be selected in the input box  2502 . The file may be located using a browse button  2504 . One or more product packages may be selected such as by selecting checkbox such as the phones number search box  2506 , the place of employment search  2508 , the bankruptcy scrub  2510 , the deceased scrub  2512 , and the incarcerated scrub  2514 . For each of the selected product packages either the system default waterfalls checkbox  2516  may be selected or a corresponding drop down lists  2518 ,  2520 ,  2522 ,  2524 ,  2526 . The file may then be uploaded by selecting the upload button  2528 . 
         [0086]    According to another aspect of the invention, the skip tracing service may use billing and registration processes which are common to other products. One of the advantages of sharing billing and registration processes across multiple product lines is to permit easy integration when cross-selling products. 
         [0087]      FIG. 26  illustrates a system  2600 . The system  2600  includes a common database  2602 . The common database stores information obtained from the registration process and for cross-selling product notifications. Examples of different products are shown including Locate Smarter  2608 , a second product  2610 , a third product  2612 , a fourth product  2614 , a next product line  2616 . In addition, a common database  2604  is shown for storing information related to billings. The Locate Smarter  2608  product shown here may be the cloud-based skip tracing application previously described herein. 
         [0088]    Thus, a cloud-based service has been described which manages the data interchange with a plurality of vendors providing skip tracing services according to waterfall logic which identifies and/or sequences different products and services of the different vendors. The present invention contemplates numerous variations, options, and alternatives as may be appropriate in different circumstances. The present invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments described herein.