Abstract:
A process for generating revenue whereby customers are enrolled in a subscription program. Under the program, customers are given a free computer and internet access in exchange for agreeing to purchase a minimum amount of products and/or services from vendors associated with the program. Revenue is generated through the collection of money for the products and/or services purchased, at least a portion of which goes to the vendors as full payment for the products and/or services purchased.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to internet commerce. More particularly, the present invention relates to generating revenue by providing Internet access.  
         [0002]     The explosion of the internet and World Wide Web has created a new frontier in capitalism. There have been many attempts to encourage individuals to move their commercial transactions (e.g., purchase of goods, services, etc.) from in-person or over-the-phone transactions at brick-and-mortar establishments to electronic, web-based companies.  
         [0003]     Drawbacks have included the fact that not every household has a computer or internet access. This can be due to various reasons including the cost/affordability of a computer and/or internet access. Even a basic computer can still cost several hundred dollars and computer users must still pay monthly access fees to internet service providers in order to gain access the Internet from their home.  
         [0004]     Accordingly, there is a need for a process by which those without computers or with outdated computers can obtain a new computer and Internet access. There is a further need for a process by which a computer and Internet access can be used to conduct transactions for a variety of goods and/or services through a website.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     A process for generating revenue by providing free computers and internet access. The process begins by establishing minimum requirements for enrollment in a subscription program and requiring applicants to the subscription program to complete a survey to identify those applicants that meet the minimum requirements. Information about the surveys is stored in a database.  
         [0006]     Applicants that meet the minimum requirements are given the option of enrolling in the subscription program. In the subscription program, the applicants agree to purchase a minimum amount of products and/or services from vendors associated with the subscription program. Applicants that enroll in the subscription program become customers. In addition to storing information about the surveys, the database stores information about the customers, as well as information about the vendors and the products and/or services offered.  
         [0007]     As part of the subscription program, the customers are provided with a free computer and internet access in exchange for their agreement to purchase the minimum amount of products and/or services. The free computer and internet access is setup for the customers and the customers are provided access to a portion of the database through the free computer and internet access. The accessible portion of the database includes information about the vendors, the products and/or services, and the specific customer accessing the database. The computer is connected to an e-commerce web-site with access to the database and the customer is logged onto the e-commerce web-site. Revenue is generated by collecting money from the customers, at least a portion of which goes to the vendors as full payment for the minimum amount of products and/or services purchased.  
         [0008]     The process further includes identifying those applicants that meet the minimum requirements as prospective customers; and sending an offer to enroll in the subscription program to the prospective customers. Prospective are given the option of enrolling in the subscription program on-line or in-person.  
         [0009]     When on the e-commerce website, the customers are permitted to search, browse products and/or services, add products and/or services to a shopping cart or wish list, view the shopping cart or wish list, and remove products and/or services from the shopping cart or wish list on the e-commerce web site. When a customer is ready to make a purchase, the items contained in the shopping cart are submitted for checkout. The customer provides payment information and the order and shipping information are transmitted a vendor for the products and/or services in the shopping cart. The customer&#39;s order is then fulfilled.  
         [0010]     Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a system architecture diagram;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating the process by which a prospective customer is identified;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating the process by which a prospective customer is identified and is a continuation of the flowchart in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating an approval process by which a prospective customer is approved;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating how a customer gets onto the system through a computer provided to them;  
         [0017]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are flowcharts illustrating how a web visitor can use the system and/or become a customer;  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating accessing of web tutorials;  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is a high-level flowchart illustrating use of the eCommerce web site;  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating a checkout process;  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is flowchart illustrating a reporting process;  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating use of a transactions processing database;  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating use of a analytical processing database;  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is a flow chart illustrating a vendor&#39;s relationship with the company;  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  is a merchant companies flowchart illustrating the payment process;  
         [0026]      FIG. 16  is a shipping companies flowchart illustrating the shipping process;  
         [0027]      FIG. 17  is a flowchart illustrating technical support and customer service;  
         [0028]      FIG. 18  is a diagram illustrating connections between elements of the system with the web browser at the hub of the system;  
         [0029]      FIG. 19  is a browser data workflow diagram;  
         [0030]      FIG. 20  is another browser data workflow diagram;  
         [0031]      FIG. 21  is yet another browser data workflow diagram; and  
         [0032]      FIG. 22  is a flowchart illustrating browser data flow.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0033]     The purpose of the present invention is for a company to provide a free computer and free internet access to customers in exchange for those customers agreeing to purchase a certain amount of goods and/or services over the Internet through a web-site set up by the company.  
         [0034]     A system  30  of providing customers with access to products and/or services includes a collection of independent but interrelated technologies comprising a unified whole: software, hardware, network, database, user interface, customer support, etc. which all work together to serve a common purpose of providing affordable computers and Internet access to those households that do not currently have them. In exchange for the computers and Internet access, households will purchase a specified monetary amount of goods and services online through the company&#39;s web-site during a specified period of time.  
         [0035]     As seen in  FIG. 1 , there are several layers to the system  30  including a client layer  32 , a web layer  34 , a data layer  36  and an external systems layer  38 . The client layer  32  includes a personal computer (PC) provided free to an individual in exchange for that individual agreeing to become a customer who will purchase a certain monetary amount of goods and/or services through the company&#39;s web-site during a given time period. The time period could be for any selected period of time (e.g., monthly, quarterly, or yearly). At the web layer  34 , the PC will have a web browser pre-installed and will have a basic tutorial on how to use the computer and the web-site through which transactions will be made. Internet service will also be provided to the customer. Most tutorials will be web-based.  
         [0036]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 , a company survey will be used to identify prospective customers who meet certain requirements  40 . The surveys are distributed to various target groups at various locations including, without limitation, shopping malls, clubs, schools, churches, social mixers, etc.  42 , where a prospective client fills out the survey  44 . What happens next depends upon whether or not the survey is filled out in full  46 . If the survey is filled out in full, the prospect gets a gift from the company  48 . If the survey is not filled out in full, the prospect does not get a gift  50 . In either event, all surveys are gathered and taken back to the company for further processing to determine who is eligible to become a customer  52 . The survey data is then entered into a survey database  54 .  
         [0037]     Survey data collected for entry into the survey database is then processed using a survey database software application  56  ( FIG. 3 ). A user employed by the company logs into the survey database application  58 . Prospective customer personal information is logged into a Company Questionnaire Results Form using a “Contacts” tab key of the application  60 . What happens next depends upon whether the prospective customer (or “contact”) answered any questions on the survey  62 . If no questions were answered, the data entry process is then completed  64 . If one or more of those questions were answered, the survey information is logged into the Company Questionnaire Results Form using a “Survey Results” tab key of the application  66  and the data entry process is then completed  68 . What happens next depends upon whether or not the data is ready to be exported for a mail merge  70 . If the data is not ready (i.e., “no”), then the user exits the survey database application  72 . If the data is ready, then the user opens the ‘Custom Reports Menu’ to generate customized data for the mail merge  74 . The user then selects the desired report options and generates the customized report  76 . The user then exports the data from the survey database application into MICROSOFT EXCEL or a similar program for the mail merge  78 . The user then exits the survey database application  72 .  
         [0038]     An approval process  80  ( FIG. 4 ) starts with Mail merge data from the survey database application  82 . Personalized congratulations letter are created from the data file from the survey database  84 . Each letter contains a confirmation, account number and instructions to call the company for an appointment  86 . When happens next depends on whether or not the prospect calls  88 . If not, then after a period of time (e.g., seven days), the company customer service calls the prospect  90 . The prospect has a choice of whether or not to take advantage of the company&#39;s service  92 . If the prospect decides not to take advantage, then no service is installed  94 . If the prospect says “yes” to using the company&#39;s service, then the same thing happens as if the prospect had called, that is, customer service takes the confirmation number, fills out an application for the prospect and sets up an appointment  96 . The prospect, now a customer, is given a choice of whether or not to subscribe online  98 . If yes, the prospect/customer makes a contact with the company on-line and no written contract for the customer to sign is sent out with the technician who delivers a PC to the customer and sets up the Internet service  100 . The technician then installs a PC and sets up Internet access  102 .  
         [0039]     If the customer chooses not to subscribe on-line, then a contract is sent out with a technician and the prospect/customer signs the contract at the appointment  112 . The technician brings the prospect/customer a PC for installation along with the contract  114 . The prospect still has a choice of whether or not to sign the contract  116 . If the prospect decides not to sign the contract, then the PC and Internet service are not installed  118 . However, if the prospect signs the contract and becomes a customer, then the technician installs a PC and sets up Internet access  102 . The technician then brings back any signed contracts to the company  104 . Any written contracts are scanned into the system  106  and become part of the company&#39;s subscription database  108 . The customer is now ready for a training tutorial  110 .  
         [0040]     With respect to the PC provided by the company ( FIG. 5 ), the customer boots up the PC  120 . Depending on the Internet Service Provider (ISP) used by the company to connect customers to the Internet, the PC can connect the customer to the Internet  122 . What happens next depends on whether the ISP is DSL or cable  124 . If the ISP is not DSL or cable, then the customer has to follow login procedure for dial-up connection by modem  126  and the PC is then on-line  128 . If the ISP is DSL or cable, then the PC is automatically on-line through DSL or cable  128 . The customer then opens Internet Explorer (IE) or Netscape browser (or whatever browser is provided to the customer by the company)  130 . The browser defaults to the company&#39;s eCommerce web-site  132 . The customer then logins to their account on the web-site  134 . The customer is now ready to shop  136 . The customer can choose whether or not to shop  138 . If the customer does not wish to shop, the customer is free to surf the web  140 . If the customer wishes to shop, the customer adds items to their on-line shopping cart  142 .  
         [0041]     Potential clients also include web visitors with computers obtained by those web visitors on their own who will be using a web browser other than the company&#39;s Web Browser and Internet service provided by another company. With respect to a PC owned by a web visitor ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ), a non-company customer browsing the Internet  144  finds the company&#39;s eCommerce web site  146 . The visitor can make product selections  148 . The visitor has a choice to finish making selections or to continue selecting products  150 . The visitor then has a choice of whether or not to purchase the selected items  152 . If the visitor does not wish to purchase the items, the visitor can then leave the web site  154 . If the visitor wishes to purchase the items, the visitor then registers with the company&#39;s web site  156 . If the visitor has previously registered, then the visitor can choose to login to their account at the start or when they are ready to purchase selected items. The visitor has now opened an account without their having a PC provided by the company  158 . The visitor/customer then checks out with payment media  160 . The visitor can track their order along with estimated time of arrival (ETA) for delivery given by the company  162 . The question becomes whether or not the visitor has received their order  164 . If the visitor receives their order, then the visitor order is completed and merchandise is delivered  166 . If not, then the visitor/customer queries to see if the ETA is on track  168 . If the ETA is on track, then the visitor can continue to track their order until that order is received  162 ,  164 . If the ETA is not on track, then the visitor contacts the company to resolve the issue  170 ,  172 . If the problem is not fixed, then the visitor continues to contact the company until the issue is resolved  170 . If the problem is fixed, then the company gives the visitor a new ETA for delivery and ships the product  174 . The visitor order is completed and merchandise is delivered  166 .  
         [0042]     Once the order is completed and the merchandise is delivered, the visitor is asked if they would like a free PC  176  ( FIG. 7 ). If they do not want a free PC, then the visitor exits the company&#39;s web site system  178 . If they do want a free PC, the visitor is asked if they would like to subscribe to the company  180 . If the visitor does not wish to subscribe, then the visitor exits the company&#39;s web site system  178 . If they do want to subscribe, then the visitor fills out an on-line subscription application  182 . The visitor prints the on-line company contract  184 . The visitor fills out the contacts and mails or emails the contact back to the company  186 . The visitor can then exit the website  178 . The company receives and processes the contract  188 . Customer service then calls the new customer to set up an appointment for installation  190 . From that point on, transactions occurring with respect to that customer are the same as those customers provided with a computer and Internet service by the company in  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  
         [0043]     The client layer  32  further includes administrators who will use company PCs to perform tasks such as troubleshooting escalated installation and connectivity problems and deploying new versions of the browser software. The company PCs allow the administrators to connect to company reporting. The administrator performs administrative tasks such as viewing sales reports and usage reports.  
         [0044]     As seen in  FIG. 8 , the Web Layer  34  includes Web Tutorials. The company&#39;s web Tutorials are delivered via the Internet. The tutorials are targeted primarily at novice users. These tutorials can be optional or mandatory the first time a customer accesses the web layer. The tutorial begins with a customer/user logging into the company&#39;s eCommerce website  192 . It is then determined if the user is a first time user logging into the website  194 . If the user is not a first time user logging into the website, then the user is not automatically offered the web tutorial  196 . The user can still manually launch the web tutorial via the website help menu  198  and then return to the website when finished  200 . If the user is a first time user logging into the website, then the user is automatically offered the web tutorial  202 . The user is queried if the user wants to launch the web tutorial at that time  204 . If not, then user can still manually launch the web tutorial via the website help menu  198  and then return to the website when finished  200 . If the user does launch the web tutorial at that time, then the web tutorial is launched  206  and the tutorial proceeds until completed  208 . The user then has a choice of reviewing the tutorial and going through the tutorial again  210 . If the user chooses not to review the tutorial, then user can still manually launch the web tutorial via the website help menu  198  and/or return to the website  200 .  
         [0045]     As outlined in  FIG. 9 , the web layer  34  also includes the company&#39;s eCommerce web-site which allows customers to login and shop using on-line vendors and to browse business opportunities. Various languages will be supported. (English, Spanish, etc.). A user enters the web site  212  and has variety of choices: create new account  214 , search  216 , browse products and services  218 , logon  220 , add to shopping cart or wish list  222 , view shopping cart or wish list  224 , and remove from shopping cart or wish list  226 . If a user chooses to logon  220 , the user can then update their account details  228  or checkout (with or without having chosen goods and/or services)  230 . A user can choose  232  to either return to the site  234  or exit from the website  236 .  
         [0046]     As seen in  FIG. 10 , the checkout process begins  238  when a customer is ready to purchase items in their shopping cart. The process starts with a customer submitting the items in their shopping cart for check out  240 . The customer is asked to review their order  242 . The customer is then asked to select from the shipping options available for the vendor(s) of the item(s) in their shopping cart  244 . The customer enters the payment information  246 . The Merchant companies&#39; flowchart in  FIG. 15 , described below, provides a detailed view of the payment process. Order and shipping information is transmitted to the vendor for fulfillment  248  and checkout ends  250 . The Shipping companies&#39; flowchart in  FIG. 16 , described below, provides a detailed view of the shipping process.  
         [0047]     The web layer  34  also includes Reporting, a web site that allows administrators to view reports. Examples of reports are sales dollars and units by vendor, by month, by product category, etc. As seen in  FIG. 11 , Administrators enter the site  252 , log on  254  and select a report  256 . The administrator enters the selection criteria (e.g., date range, customer, location, etc.)  258 . The administrator then retrieves information from an analytical processing database  260 . At that point, the administrator can choose  262  to return  264  to select another report or exit  266 .  
         [0048]     The Data Layer  36  includes a Transaction Processing Database and an Analytical Processing Database. Each database is a collection of data arranged for ease and speed of search and retrieval. The Transaction Processing Database provides functionality to record the purchases and activities of each customer. The database for this environment is provided as part of the web hosting service. As seen in  FIG. 12 , the transaction purchasing database tracks the purchases and activities of each web visitor. This pattern is followed each time the eCommerce web application interacts with the database. Information is written to the database when a web visitor enters the site, navigates to a new page, places an item in a shopping cart, removes an item from a shopping cart, selects a shipper, selects a payment method, updates account information, and completes a purchase. Information is also written in the database when a vendor provides their product catalog. Information is read from the database that provides product catalog information and web content in numerous languages. Information is also read when the Analytical Processing database extracts information. While the eCommerce web application is in use, an event that requires information to be read from or written to the database occurs  268 . The eCommerce web application establishes a connection with the transaction processing database  270 . The eCommerce web application either writes information in the database or reads information from the database  272 . The eCommerce web application then disconnects from the transaction processing database  274 .  
         [0049]     The Analytical Processing Database provides a fast, analytical, multidimensional reporting platform. Information will be extracted from the relational database, transformed, and loaded into the analytical database. The reporting dimensions will include customers, vendors, products, services, locations, times, etc. Analytical reporting is also known as business intelligence (BI) and on-line analytical processing (OLAP).  FIG. 13  illustrates that there is a source system (i.e., transaction processing database)  276  from which information is extracted into a data staging area (i.e., processing: clean; prune, combine, remove duplicate; standardize; archive, etc.)  278  which then populates the analytical processing database  280 . The analytical processing database then feeds into End User Data Access  282  (e.g., web applications such as Reporting and eCommerce; and future end user tools (e.g., ad hoc query tools, report writers, end user applications, etc.)).  
         [0050]     The External Systems layer  38  includes vendors, shipping companies, merchant companies, customer service representatives and technical support staff. The Vendors sell their products and services through the company, as outlined in  FIG. 14 . The vendor and the company will enter into an agreement in which the company sells the vendor&#39;s products through the company website in exchange for a percentage of the sale  284 . The vendor will electronically provide the company with a product catalogue including shipment options  286 . A customer purchases a product from the vendor catalog  288 . The company electronically notifies the vendor of the order including items purchased and shipping selections (this may be done order by order or as a report of orders at specified time intervals)  290 . The vendor electronically sends an order acknowledgement  292 . The vendor provides the company with an adjustment feed that notifies the company of any adjusted items (such as a refund)  294 . The vendor provides the company with order status information including shipment ETAs and tracking numbers  296 . The vendor ships products to the customer  298 . The vendor provides the company with a settlement report feed (i.e., a comprehensive reconciliation report on the activity of the vendor&#39;s account for a specified settlement period)  300 .  
         [0051]     The Merchant companies provide accounts handling payment processing, as seen in  FIG. 15 , via Pay Pal, Visa, MasterCard, etc. All orders are done electronically from the customer account to the company&#39;s bank. The process starts  302  with a customer submitting a purchase  304 . The company eCommerce web-site prompts the customer for their credit card information  306 . The customer enters their name as it appears on the credit card, the credit card number, the expiration date of the card, the customer&#39;s billing address, etc.  308 . The eCommerce site electronically transmits the credit card information to the merchant company with security encryption  310 . The merchant company validates the credit card information  312 . If the information is accepted, the customer receives a thank you message  314  and the process ends  316 . However, if the information is not accepted, then the customer is notified that the payment was declined  318 . The customer is then asked if they would like to use a different form of payment (i.e., another credit card, a debit card or the like)  320 . If the customer chooses not to use a different form of payment, the order is cancelled  322  and the process ends  316 . However, if the customer chooses to use a different form of payment, then the eCommerce site prompts the customer for information about a different credit card  306 . The customer enters their name as it appears on the credit card, the credit card number, the expiration date of the card, the customer&#39;s billing address, etc.  308 . The eCommerce site electronically transmits the credit card information to the merchant company with security encryption  310 . The merchant company validates the credit card information  312 . If the information is accepted, the customer receives a thank you message  314  and the process ends  316 .  
         [0052]     The Shipping companies (e.g., FedEx, Airborne Express, USPS, etc) deliver products to customers, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 . The process starts  324  with a customer making a purchase  326 . The company web-site displays a shipment ETA to the customer based on timeframes agreed upon with the vendor  328 . The company web-site electronically notifies the vendor that a purchase has been made  330 . The vendor ships the product(s) to the customer  332 . Thereafter, the customer receives the product(s)  334 . Then the vendor provides the company with shipment tracking information  336 . The company updates the customer&#39;s order information on the eCommerce website with the tracking information  338 . The customer visits the order information page on the eCommerce website  340 . The customer clicks on a link to the shipping company&#39;s tracking information  342 . The customer is directed to a page on the shipping company&#39;s web site that displays the order&#39;s tracking data  344 .  
         [0053]     Technical Support will be provided to customers by the company and Customer Service will also be provided by the company to customers  24  hours a day, seven days a week, as illustrated in  FIG. 17 . Customer service representatives handle non-technical inquires from customers (e.g., billing and/or shipping questions, etc.). Technical support handles technology-related questions from company web browser users. These technology-related questions can be related to connectivity, user error, and installation problems. The technical support staff will also report any systemic problems to administrators. A user can call in a problem  346 . Technical support opens a problem ticket  348 . Technical support either fixes the issue or not  350 . If the issue is fixed, then the ticket is closed  352 . If not, then technical support identifies the type of problem  354 . The problem may be a software issue  356 . If the issue is not software, then it is determined if the problem is a hardware issue  358 . If not a hardware issue, technical support then reconsiders the problem  360 . If there is a hardware issue, then a second level hardware support escalation process is activated  362 . The issue of whether or not the hardware problem is fixed is considered  364 . If the hardware problem is not fixed, then the second level hardware support escalation process is activated repeatedly until the problem is fixed  362 ,  364 . If the problem is fixed, then the ticket is closed  366 . However, if there is a software issue, then it is determined if there is an operating system (OS) software issue  368 . If there is an operating system (OS) software issue, then second level software support escalation process is activated  370 . The issue of whether or not the software problem is fixed is considered  372 . If the problem is not fixed, then second level software support escalation process is activated repeatedly until the problem is fixed  370 ,  372 . If the problem is fixed, then the ticket is closed  374 . However, if it is determined that there is not an OS software issue, it is then determined if there is a company browser issue  376 . If not a browser issue, technical support then reconsiders the problem  384 . If there is a browser issue, then Development AR escalation process is activated  378 . The issue of whether or not the problem is fixed is considered  380 . If the problem is not fixed, then Development AR escalation process is activated repeatedly until the problem is fixed  378 ,  380 . If the problem is fixed, then the ticket is closed  382 .  
         [0054]     As seen in  FIG. 18 , the company web browser is a custom web browser developed for the present invention that is installed on the PCs provided to customers and serves as a central hub. In the alternative, existing web-browsers can be modified. Customers will use the company web browser to connect to the eCommerce web site and to browse the internet. As with any web browser, there are risks from viruses—web browsers are often the entry point for viruses onto computers. The company web browser is a Windows application and technical support staff will be available to clients to assist in deployment and maintenance. Providing support for plugins such as Windows Media Player, Macromedia Shockwave, RealPlayer, Quicktime, Java, and Flash will be provided by a dedicated staff of developers.  
         [0055]     The web browser has functional requirements (i.e., describes functions and features the users need for the system to work). The web browser automatically logs in the customer to the eCommerce web site when the computer is turned on. This may be done via a custom startup script for Windows. The web browser will also track the history of web sites visited via writing custom web history tracking software. The web browser also has nonfunctional requirements that are critical to the operation of the web browser. These nonfunctional requirements, also called “quality attributes,” specify system characteristics that are required for acceptance of the system by the end user. Examples of nonfunctional requirements are reliability, availability, security, usability, and performance. The nonfunctional requirements include a user interface that is aesthetically pleasing via a custom company skin for Internet Explorer or other existing web browser. Customers using the company web browser will primarily consist of people that have little or no experience with computers; therefore the company web browser should be intuitive and easy to use.  
         [0056]     The web browser will have interaction with external systems including eCommerce (the web site that allows customers to login and shop at vendor&#39;s stores), the ISP Tutorials (targeted primarily at novice users and deployed via the web and Windows), Technical Support and Customer Service.  
         [0057]     The login process is illustrated in  FIG. 19 . Once the user  390  boots up the PC  392 , a dial-up modem  394  connection to the Internet is automatically made to the company web server  396  and the web browser  398 . When the company browser opens, it sends a request to the web server to load the company homepage. Cookies can be used to auto-populate the user&#39;s login information if desired. The user  390  will then submit the login information via the company homepage  398 . The server  396  will then process the request and query the company database  400  to confirm login. Upon confirmation, the login time and session ID will be stored in the company database tables, and the server  396  will then retrieve from the databases, the personalized user information (e.g., transaction history, user preferences, etc.) and generate a custom user welcome page. The welcome page banners and ads can be tailored to the user&#39;s preferences and transaction history. The user  390  will then select from the welcome page their next action: purchase products, browse the web, perform an internet search, etc.  
         [0058]     The purchase methodology is illustrated in  FIG. 20 . If the user  390  requests to purchase products  402 , a list of participating vendors will appear. Upon vendor selection by the user, the vendor&#39;s database  404  will be queried for currently available types of items. When a type of item is selected by the user, another query is made to the vendor&#39;s database for all available items of that type. The user  390  can now select from the page the desired items for purchase to add to their electronic shopping cart. When the user  390  is ready for checkout, their user account information is retrieved from the database tables, containing details on method(s) of payment previously selected by the user  390 .  
         [0059]     The payment process is illustrated in  FIG. 21 . Once payment information has been successfully submitted by the user  390 , the vendor&#39;s database  404  is queried once again to ensure that the item(s) selected are still available for purchase, prior to sending the payment information to the database tables for verification and processing  406 . Upon successful processing of the payment, the transaction information, including a list of selected item(s), is passed into the database tables on the web server  396  for transaction logging. A confirmation is instantly sent to the PC screen  392  to confirm that the transaction was successfully completed. The information is also passed to the vendor for order processing and fulfillment. The vendor can also send a confirmation email to the user (and a copy to the company) confirming the completed transaction and shipping status. The vendor communicates to the company when the entire fulfillment process has been completed with the user (all item(s) shipped and received). The communication would best be done either via email, or preferably an auto-upload into database transaction log. This would complete the transaction processing.  
         [0060]     In the logoff process, the user is prompted from the company browser to choose to continue shopping with the currently selected vendor, choose a new vendor, browse the web, exit the company browser and use the PC offline, or exit and shut down the PC. If the user chooses to continue shopping, a refresh of the selected vendor&#39;s database should be performed to ensure that most current items are displayed as available. If the user chooses to browse the web, sites visited could be captured using the company browser. If the user chooses to exit the company browser and use the PC offline, the logout time and session ID should be captured and stored in the database tables on the web server, and the internet connection should be severed. Other attempts to reconnect to the internet (e.g., launching another web browser to surf the web) are also captured. Upon reconnection, the company browser should automatically be relaunched, in order to encourage users to use the company browser while connected to the internet.  
         [0061]     A process that includes booting up the PC, shutting down the PC and other steps in-between is illustrated in  FIG. 22 . Once the user boots up the PC, a dial-up connection to the Internet is automatically made. When the browser opens, the browser sends a request to the web-server to load the company homepage. The issue then becomes if the user requests to purchase a product or not. If the user does request to purchase a product, the user will then select from the welcome page their next action: purchase products; browse the web; perform an Internet search; etc. If the user chooses to purchase a product, then a list of participating vendors will appear. The vendor&#39;s data base will be queried for currently available text of items. The user can then select from the web-site homepage the desired item for purchase to add to their online shopping cart. A communication is instantly sent to the PC screen to confirm that the transaction was successfully completed. The issue is then whether or not the user indicates on the browser whether or not they choose to continue shopping. If they do continue shopping, communication is instantly sent to the PC screen to confirm that the transaction that followed were successfully completed or not. If the user chooses not to continue shopping, the user can choose to exit and shut down the PC.  
         [0062]     Technology requirements: Dual network system CPUs are used with company systems linked to the network systems of its web hosting company with Information Technology (IT) being outsourced. All purchases, shipping, payments are performed electronically via email and eCommerce through the hosting company. The company receives sales, filled orders, electronic banking via the web. In the alternative, an in-house system may be used to replace the hosting company.  
         [0063]     The above-described embodiment of the present invention is illustrative only and not limiting. It will thus be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects.