Abstract:
A contract association method and system. The method includes receiving, by a computing system from a requester, a command for creating a service request. The computing system places restrictions on accessing contracts associated with suppliers. The computing system receives a selection of a first requested skill from the requester. The computing system selects a group of contracts applicable to a group of suppliers. The computing system generates a service request document comprising a selection of a first supplier from the group of suppliers, a first contract of the group of contracts, and the first requested skill.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a method and associated system for associating a plurality of skills with pre-negotiated contracts. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Selecting individuals from various entities to perform functions within an organization typically comprises an inefficient process with little flexibility. Typically, entities provide detailed information associated with the individuals. The detailed information may include resumes, pay rate requests, and lists of skills. Viewing and processing the detailed information may be very tedious and time consuming. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art to overcome the deficiencies and limitations described herein above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a contract configuration method comprising: 
     receiving, by a computing system from a requester, a command for creating a service request, said computing system comprising a memory device, said memory device comprising a list of skills, a first list of suppliers, and supplier contract data, said supplier contract data comprising contracts applicable to said first list of suppliers, said requester affiliated with a specified company; 
     determining, by said computing system, which contracts of said contracts are regionally specific contracts; 
     placing, by said computing system, restrictions on said contracts, said restrictions for allowing only specified parties to access said contracts; 
     receiving, by said computing system from said requester, a selection of a first skill on said list of skills; 
     filtering, by said computing system, a group of suppliers on said list of suppliers, said group of suppliers comprising potential suppliers for supplying candidates comprising said first skill, said group of suppliers filtered based on a plurality of business factors; 
     generating, by said computing system, a second list of suppliers, said second list of suppliers identifying said group of suppliers; 
     selecting, by said computing system, a group of contracts of said contracts, said group of contracts applicable to said second list of suppliers, said group of contracts selected based on a plurality of filtering factors; 
     determining, by said computing system, that said restrictions allow said requester to access said group of contracts; 
     generating, by said computing system, a selection list comprising identifiers for said group of contracts and said second list of suppliers; 
     presenting, by said computing system for said requester, said selection list; 
     receiving, by said computing system from said requester, a first selection of a first supplier and a first associated contract of said selection list; 
     generating, by said computing system, a service request document, said candidate request document comprising said first selection of said first supplier and said first contract and said selection of said first skill; and 
     transmitting, by said computing system, said service request document to said first supplier. 
     The present invention provides a computing system comprising a processor coupled to a computer-readable memory unit, said memory unit comprising instructions that when executed by the processor implement a contract configuration method, said method comprising: 
     receiving, by said computing system from a requester, a command for creating a service request, said memory unit further comprising a list of skills, a first list of suppliers, and supplier contract data, said supplier contract data comprising contracts applicable to said first list of suppliers, said requester affiliated with a specified company; 
     determining, by said computing system, which contracts of said contracts are regionally specific contracts; 
     placing, by said computing system, restrictions on said contracts, said restrictions for allowing only specified parties to access said contracts; 
     receiving, by said computing system from said requester, a selection of a first skill on said list of skills; 
     filtering, by said computing system, a group of suppliers on said list of suppliers, said group of suppliers comprising potential suppliers for supplying candidates comprising said first skill, said group of suppliers filtered based on a plurality of business factors; 
     generating, by said computing system, a second list of suppliers, said second list of suppliers identifying said group of suppliers; 
     selecting, by said computing system, a group of contracts of said contracts, said group of contracts applicable to said second list of suppliers, said group of contracts selected based on a plurality of filtering factors; 
     determining, by said computing system, that said restrictions allow said requester to access said group of contracts; 
     generating, by said computing system, a selection list comprising identifiers for said group of contracts and said second list of suppliers; 
     presenting, by said computing system for said requester, said selection list; 
     receiving, by said computing system from said requester, a first selection of a first supplier and a first associated contract of said selection list; 
     generating, by said computing system, a service request document, said service request document comprising said first selection of said first supplier and said first contract and said selection of said first skill; and 
     transmitting, by said computing system, said service request document to said first supplier. 
     The present invention provides a process for supporting computer infrastructure, said process comprising providing at least one support service for at least one of creating, integrating, hosting, maintaining, and deploying computer-readable code in a computing system, wherein the code in combination with the computing system is capable of performing a contract configuration method, said method comprising: 
     receiving, by said computing system from a requester, a command for creating a service request, said computing system comprising a memory device, said memory device comprising a list of skills, a first list of suppliers, and supplier contract data, said supplier contract data comprising contracts applicable to said first list of suppliers, said requester affiliated with a specified company; 
     determining, by said computing system, which contracts of said contracts are regionally specific contracts; 
     placing, by said computing system, restrictions on said contracts, said restrictions for allowing only specified parties to access said contracts; 
     receiving, by said computing system from said requester, a selection of a first skill on said list of skills; 
     filtering, by said computing system, a group of suppliers on said list of suppliers, said group of suppliers comprising potential suppliers for supplying candidates comprising said first skill, said group of suppliers filtered based on a plurality of business factors; 
     generating, by said computing system, a second list of suppliers, said second list of suppliers identifying said group of suppliers; 
     selecting, by said computing system, a group of contracts of said contracts, said group of contracts applicable to said second list of suppliers, said group of contracts selected based on a plurality of filtering factors; 
     determining, by said computing system, that said restrictions allow said requester to access said group of contracts; 
     generating, by said computing system, a selection list comprising identifiers for said group of contracts and said second list of suppliers, wherein each supplier of said second list of suppliers is associated with at least one contract of said second group of contracts; 
     presenting, by said computing system for said requester, said selection list; 
     receiving, by said computing system from said requester, a first selection of a first supplier and a first associated contract of said selection list; 
     generating, by said computing system, a service request document, said service request document comprising said first selection of said first supplier and said first contract and said selection of said first skill; and 
     transmitting, by said computing system, said service request document to said first supplier. 
     The present invention provides a computer program product, comprising a computer usable medium comprising a computer readable program code embodied therein, said computer readable program code adapted to implement a contract configuration method within a computing system, said method comprising: 
     receiving, by said computing system from a requester, a command for creating a service request, said computer usable medium further comprising a list of skills, a first list of suppliers, and supplier contract data, said supplier contract data comprising contracts applicable to said first list of suppliers, said requester affiliated with a specified company; 
     determining, by said computing system, which contracts of said contracts are regionally specific contracts; 
     placing, by said computing system, restrictions on said contracts, said restrictions for allowing only specified parties to access said contracts; 
     receiving, by said computing system from said requester, a selection of a first skill on said list of skills; 
     filtering, by said computing system, a group of suppliers on said list of suppliers, said group of suppliers comprising potential suppliers for supplying candidates comprising said first skill, said group of suppliers filtered based on a plurality of business factors; 
     generating, by said computing system, a second list of suppliers, said second list of suppliers identifying said group of suppliers; 
     selecting, by said computing system, a group of contracts of said contracts, said group of contracts applicable to said second list of suppliers, said group of contracts selected based on a plurality of filtering factors; 
     determining, by said computing system, that said restrictions allow said requester to access said group of contracts; 
     generating, by said computing system, a selection list comprising identifiers for said group of contracts and said second list of suppliers; 
     presenting, by said computing system for said requester, said selection list; 
     receiving, by said computing system from said requester, a first selection of a first supplier and a first associated contract of said selection list; 
     generating, by said computing system, a service request document, said service request document comprising said first selection of said first supplier and said first contract and said selection of said first skill; and 
     transmitting, by said computing system, said service request document to said first supplier. 
     The present invention advantageously provides a method and associated system capable of selecting individuals from various entities to perform functions within an organization. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of a system  2  for generating a service request comprising contract associations, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a flowchart describing an overall algorithm used by system  2  of  FIG. 1  for generating a service request, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a flowchart detailing a first step of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  in combination illustrates a flowchart detailing a second step of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a flowchart detailing a third step of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a flowchart detailing a fourth step of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a computer apparatus used for generating a service request comprising contract associations, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of a system  2  for generating a service request comprising contract associations, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. System  2  allows a requester to associate selected skills with a plurality of contracts associated with suppliers of candidates or resources. A service request is defined herein as a request (i.e., requested by a requester from a requesting company) for contract services (e.g., job functions) to be performed by a contractor. The contractor is selected from a plurality of eligible candidates provided by a supplier. The contractor may be sourced or contracted from any location or country (e.g., globally) regardless of where the need for services is identified. A requester is defined herein as a person/people (e.g., users from an entity such as, inter alia, an organization, a company, etc.) looking for a resource or contractor (i.e., a person/people procured from a third party supplier with a specific skill(s) to perform job functions). A resource will perform job functions for a requesting organization. The resource is actually an employee of the supplier and not the requesting company. A contract is defined herein as a document that specifies an agreement for a supplier to provide certain goods or services (i.e., contractors) at a specific rate. A contract comprises line items, which are handled like a mini-catalog. System  2  generates a service request document (e.g., service request documents  26 ). A service request document comprises a request document generated by a requester and transmitted to a supplier. The service request document comprises a request that is generated in order to obtain contracted technical, administrative, or business service candidates for filling a contractor position. A service request document may comprise one or more line items, each of which indicates a type of skill required as selected from a corporate taxonomy (i.e., a method of organizing jobs and associated skills). System  2  performs a process to: configure a contract for appropriate access, identify a skill required (i.e., for a contractor), associate that skill with the configured contract, and continue the association through supplier interaction and purchase order creation. Software application  16   a  and  16   b  in computing system  5   a  and  5   b  in combination comprise the following functional components:
     1. A contract generation tool—A contract generation tool allows a contract to be generated based on buyer (i.e., a person that prepares purchase orders, negotiates with suppliers, etc.) negotiations. Additionally, the contract generation tool creates a purchase order which is transmitted to a supplier for fulfillment.   2. A front-end skills purchasing tool—A front-end skills purchasing tool allows a requester to identify requested skills and allows suppliers to post candidate descriptions and resumes in response to those skills requests. Additionally, the front-end skills purchasing tool supports requester authorization for candidate(s) hiring. For example, if the candidate is a former employee, a human resource department must authorize the hiring as a contractor.   3. A front-end purchasing tool—The front-end purchasing tool allows a requester to create a shopping cart with items (services or other types of goods), assigns accounting functions, and obtains management approval for the expenditure.   4. A contractor tracking tool—The contractor tracking tool tracks the hours claimed by hired contractors.   

     System  2  comprises a computing system  4   a  (e.g., a server) connected to a computing system  4   b  (e.g., a server) through an interface  10 . Interface  10  may comprise any type of interface known to a person of ordinary skill in the art including, inter alia, a local area network, (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, etc. Computing system  4   a  comprises a computing apparatus  5   a  and an interface terminal  8   a . Computing system  4   b  comprises a computing apparatus  5   b  and an interface terminal  8   b . Computing apparatus  5   a  comprises a CPU  10   a  and a memory device  14   a . Alternatively, memory device  14   a  may be located external to computing apparatus  5   a . Memory device  14   a  comprises a software application  16   a , lists  11 , supplier contracts data  17  (i.e., comprising contracts), restrictions data  19 , regional code data  21 , business factors data  24 , and service request documents  26 . Lists  11 , supplier contracts data  17 , restrictions data  19 , regional code data  21 , business factors data  24 , and service request documents  26  may be inputted into computing apparatus  5   a  through interface terminal  8   a . Computing apparatus  5   b  comprises a CPU  10   b  and a memory device  14   b . Alternatively, memory device  14   b  may be located external to computing apparatus  5   b . Memory device  14   b  comprises a software application  16   b  and candidate data  18 . Candidate data  18  may be inputted into computing apparatus  5   b  through interface terminal  8   b.    
       FIG. 2  illustrates a flowchart describing an overall algorithm used by system  2  of  FIG. 1  for generating a service request, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In step  35 , preliminary processing is executed (see  FIG. 3 , infra). Preliminary processing includes inputting and configuring supplier contracts. In step  37 , requester functions are performed (see  FIG. 4 , infra). Requester functions include selecting requested skills, supplier contracts, and associated suppliers. In step  39 , supplier functions are performed (see  FIG. 5 , infra). In step  40 , the requester selects candidates (see  FIG. 6 , infra). 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a flowchart detailing step  35  of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In step  300 , an administrator configures a country for use of region-code filtering. Additionally, a country may be configured to use a specified contract, if only one contract is configured for that supplier. In some countries, if a specified supplier has agreed to a specified contract (with special rates), then the country will require the use of the specified contract associated with the specified supplier. In alternative countries, a requester may use the specified supplier without using the specified contract. In step  304 , a contract is generated by a buyer and the contract is inputted into computing apparatus  5   a . A contract may comprise multiple line items. Each line item represents a different skill and skill level that the supplier may provide (e.g., a junior-level programmer). Each line item also comprises an associated commodity code (i.e., a code describing a method of grouping items (e.g., skills) to be purchased) along with a short description of the skill. In step  306 , it is determined if any the contracts being inputted into computing apparatus  5   a  require an associated region code (i.e., are any the contracts regional specific?). This is accomplished via a country configuration. 
     If in step  306  it is determined that the country is configured for the contract, then in step  308  computing apparatus  5   a  will load the regional code from each contract for line item and the process executes step  310  as described, infra. Note that each line item in the contract may comprise the regional code as the first 2 characters in its description. Therefore, a contract line item for a junior-level programmer in Ontario, Calif., may comprise a description of “ON Junior programmer”. 
     If in step  306  it is determined that the country is not configured for the contract, then in step  310  an administrator using computing apparatus  5   a  configures the contract for use by software application  16   a . The contract may also be configured to limit its use by country, company, department, work location, business unit, and/or user web id. The contract may be associated with special services that are available for only one department to hire. For example, a special rate for electricians would be available in Dallas only for a special construction project that department  1198  is working on. Additionally, the administrator may also indicate if the contract can be used only for internal services requests, only for external service requests, or any combination thereof. This allows for controlling special access to contracts. In step  311 , entries in a table for contract line items of the contract is generated. The contract line items are sorted by regions. In step  312 , the administrator may ensure that the contract is configured into a rate matrix. A rate matrix is defined herein as a matrix generated for configuring supplier rates that have been negotiated by country, currency, supplier, region, job role, etc. The rate matrix is used when the supplier responds to a request in order to determine if his/her response is within the matrix or if an exception pricing process must be followed. Additionally, the rate matrix is used for calculating an overall price of the line item(s). 
     By entering the contract rates into the rate matrix, the administrator ensures that the contract may be used by software application  16   a . This will be the rate used, if a requester elects to use a contract for his/her request. In step  314 , different tax rates are associated with different labor rates and the regions. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  in combination illustrates a flowchart detailing step  37  of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In step  404 , a requester wanting to hire services generates a service request. In step  406  the requester enters a skill line item to the request and identifies where the work (i.e., for the requested skill(s) needs to take place. In step  408 , software application  16   a  builds a list of potential suppliers for the line item entered in step  406 . The list of suppliers is based on the request&#39;s country, company, business unit, work location and service type of the line item request. In step  410 , software application  16   a  builds a list of contracts and contract line items that may be used for on the supplier(s) identified and the list of contracts is filtered to determine if each supplier is associated with any of the contracts. 
     If in step  410 , it is determined that some suppliers are not associated with any of the contracts then in step  442 , the system displays a filtered list of suppliers for the requester to select from. In step  444 , the requester selects a supplier(s) and the algorithm proceeds to step  448  (i.e., described, infra). 
     If in step  410 , it is determined that all suppliers are associated with some of the contracts then in step  412 , the list of contracts is filtered to determine if there are any requester restrictions placed on the list of contracts. Software application  16   a  looks at the type of request and sees if any of the following matches:
         1. If the requested skill is for internal or external work and whether that matches the flag on the contract   2. If the commodity code and unit of measure of the skill selected matches at least 1 line in the contract   3. If the contract has been restricted in any way for use, then the contract&#39;s restrictions must match on the following items in order to enable its use:
           A. The requester&#39;s web id.   B. The requester&#39;s country, company, department, and/or user vicinity.   C. The business unit of the request.   
               

     If in step  412 , it is determined that the requester may not use or access the contract then in step  419  there are no restricted contracts displayed. In step  421  filtered suppliers are displayed and the algorithm executes step  434  as described, infra. 
     If in step  412 , it is determined that the requester may use or access the contract then in step  415 , it is determined if there is an entry in the rate matrix for the contract. Additionally, in step  415  it is determined if start/end dates of the contract cover the start/end date of the requested line item (i.e., the contract is active). 
     If in step  412 , it is determined that the contract is not in the rate matrix and/or is not active then step  419  is executed. 
     If in step  412 , it is determined that the contract is in the rate matrix and is active then in step  417 , it is determined if the requester&#39;s country/company/business unit/service type is configured to a default to use a contract if only one contract is present. 
     If in step  417 , it is determined that the requester&#39;s country/company/business unit/service type is configured to a default to use a contract if only one contract is present then in step  424 , a filtered list of suppliers is generated and step  426  is executed as described, infra. 
     If in step  417 , it is determined that the requester&#39;s country/company/business unit/service type is not configured to the default, then step  426  is executed. 
     In step  426  it is determined if the selected country is configured to require regional code filtering. 
     If in step  426  it is determined that the selected country is not configured to require regional code filtering then step  421  is executed as described, supra. 
     If in step  426  it is determined that the selected country is configured to require regional code filtering then in step  428  it is determined if the regional code matches the work location. 
     If in step  428  it is determined that the regional code does not match the work location then step  421  is executed as described, supra. 
     If in step  428  it is determined that the regional code does match the work location then in step  432 , computing system  4   a  displays a list of suppliers for the requester to select from. In step  434  the requester selects suppliers from the list of step  432 . In step  436 , it is determined if a contract item is selected. 
     If a contract item is not selected in step  436 , then in step  448 , a default rate for the supplier and country/company/business unit/service type/region from the rate matrix is used. In step  450 , a request document is transmitted to the selected suppliers. 
     If a contract item is selected in step  436 , then in step  440  the contract rate is applied to the selected suppliers and step  450  is executed. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a flowchart detailing step  39  of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In step  505 , a supplier generates responses to the line item request. This includes candidate information and optionally, a resume attachment. In step  508  it is determined if a contract item is associated with the line item. 
     If in step  508  it is determined that a contract item is not associated with the line item then step  512  is executed as described, infra. 
     If in step  508  it is determined that a contract item is associated with the line item then in step  510  the supplier views a description of the contract item and the associated contract number. In step  512 , the supplier enters a bill rate and/or wage, based on configuration. In step  515 , the supplier then enters any additional information required and submits the candidate so that the requester can review that information. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a flowchart detailing step  40  of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In step  605 , the requester reviews any submitted candidates and identifies possible hires and submits the selected candidate. In step  608 , it is determined if the contract is associated with the selected skill. 
     If in step  608  it is determined that the skill line item has a contract item associated with it (box  35  of  FIG. 2 ), a shopping cart is generated (i.e., so that accounting may be assigned) with that information in step  612  and step  618  is executed as described, infra. 
     If in step  608  it is determined that the skill line item does not have a contract item associated with it, a shopping cart of services is generated using a standard rate in step  614 . In step  618 , the shopping cart goes through an approval process. In step  620 , software application  16   a  generates a requisition and determines if there is a contract associated with the line item. 
     If in step  620 , software application  16   a  determines that there is not a contract associated with the line item, then in step  622  the line item is assigned to a buyer for validation of the information. In step  624 , the buyer approves a purchase order creation and step  632  is executed as described, infra. 
     If in step  620 , software application  16   a  determines that there is a contract associated with the line item, then in step  628  software application  16   a  determines if a region code is assigned to the line item and if the country requires such processing. 
     If in step  628 , software application  16   a  determines that a region code is not assigned to the line item, then step  632  is executed as described, infra. 
     If in step  628 , software application  16   a  determines that a region code is assigned to the line item then in step  630  the region code is used to invoke special tax processing. 
     In step  632  a purchase order is generated and in step  635  the purchase order is transmitted to supplier. 
     The following two scenarios illustrate examples of implementation for implementing the algorithms of  FIGS. 2-6  within system  2  for associating supplier contracts with selected skills. 
     Scenario 1 
     In scenario 1, a first requester would like to order Java programming skills and a contract is available for use. 
     The following configuration steps are performed: 
     1. A contract C 123  is generated in system  2  for supplier “Acme Programming” in the US. The contract comprises one line item for Java programming skills. 
     2. The contract is inputted into computing system  4   a  where an administrator configures the contract to be used only by department “ 1234 .” 
     3. A services administrator configures the contract C 123  into a rate matrix for Java programming at $40/hour. 
     4. The supplier “Acme Programming” is not configured anywhere else in system  2 . 
     5. Supplier “ABC” is configured for Java programming in system  2  and has a rate matrix entry of $60/hour. 
     A first requester in dept.  1234  creates a line item for a Java programmer. On a supplier selection screen (e.g., interface terminal  8   a  in  FIG. 1 ), the first requester is able to view both “ABC” and “Acme Programming” suppliers. Next to “Acme Programming” is a flag, indicating that there is an associated contract to be used. 
     A second requester in dept.  4567  creates a line item for a Java programmer. On the supplier selection screen, the second requester sees only “ABC,” since he/she does not have access to the configured contract. 
     If the first requester in dept.  1234  selects Acme, since there is only 1 contract line item, then that item is associated with the requested skill. (If there were multiple contracts for Acme, then the first requester would have to select from a list of possible contracts). 
     On the supplier side (i.e., computing system  4   b  of  FIG. 1 ), the supplier would (i.e., when responding to the Java programming request) see a description of the associated contract and its contract number. The supplier would then enter the bill rate and/or wage rate (i.e., per configuration), which is then compared to the configured contract rate in the rate matrix. 
     If the first requester in dept.  1234  selects the candidate submitted by Acme Programming, then the contract information is carried through the rest of the workflow from the services application, through a front-end purchasing system, to a backend system where the request goes “buyerless’ and a purchase order is created and sent to Acme Programming. 
     Scenario 2 
     In scenario 2, requester in a country that comprises regional code filtering would like to order Java programming skills and a contract is available for use. 
     The following configuration steps are performed: 
     1. A contract C 334  is created in system  2  for supplier “Acme Programming” in Canada. There is a line item for Java programming skills in Ontario for $40/hour and a line item for Java programming skills in New Brunswick for $35/hour. 
     2. The contract is fed into system  4   a  where the administrator configures the contract to be used only by department “ 5553 .” 
     3. A batch job runs to create entries in a table for the contract line items by region. 
     4. The administrator configures the contract C 334  into a rate matrix for Java programming at $40/hour in Ontario and $35/hour in New Brunswick. 
     5. The supplier “Acme Programming” is not configured anywhere else in the services purchasing system. 
     6. Supplier “ABC” is configured for Java programming in the services purchasing system and has a rate matrix entry of $60/hour. 
     A requester in dept.  5553  creates a line item for a Java programmer. System  2  filters the list of possible contract items and associated suppliers based on a table that was built by a batch job and a regional code for where the work will be performed. If the work is to be performed in New Brunswick, then the requester will see both “ABC” and “Acme Programming” suppliers on a supplier selection screen with a contract indicator next to “Acme Programming”. If the work is to be performed elsewhere (e.g., Saskatchewan), then the requester would only see “ABC” (since the special rate does not apply outside Ontario and New Brunswick). 
     If the requester in dept.  5553  had indicated that New Brunswick was the work location and then selects Acme, then the contract line item information is automatically assigned (since there is only one contract item that matches). 
     On the supplier side, the supplier would, when responding to the Java programming request, see a description of the associated contract and its number. The supplier would then enter the bill rate and/or wage (per configuration) which are compared to the configured contract rate in the rate matrix. 
     If the requester in dept.  5553  selects a candidate submitted by Acme Programming, then the contract information is carried through the rest of the workflow from the services application, through the front-end purchasing system, to a backend system where the request goes “buyerless’ and a purchase order is created and sent to Acme Programming. The region code is used correctly to invoke the special tax-handling required. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a computer apparatus  90  (i.e., computing apparatus  5   a  and  5   b  in  FIG. 1 ) used for generating a service request comprising contract associations, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The computer system  90  comprises a processor  91 , an input device  92  coupled to the processor  91 , an output device  93  coupled to the processor  91 , and memory devices  94  and  95  each coupled to the processor  91 . The input device  92  may be, inter alia, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The output device  93  may be, inter alia, a printer, a plotter, a computer screen, a magnetic tape, a removable hard disk, a floppy disk, etc. The memory devices  94  and  95  may be, inter alia, a hard disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, an optical storage such as a compact disc (CD) or a digital video disc (DVD), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), etc. The memory device  95  includes a computer code  97 . The computer code  97  includes algorithms (e.g., algorithms of  FIGS. 2-6 ) for generating a service request comprising contract associations. The processor  91  executes the computer code  97 . The memory device  94  includes input data  96 . The input data  96  includes input required by the computer code  97 . The output device  93  displays output from the computer code  97 . Either or both memory devices  94  and  95  (or one or more additional memory devices not shown in  FIG. 7 ) may comprise the algorithms of  FIGS. 2-6  and may be used as a computer usable medium (or a computer readable medium or a program storage device) having a computer readable program code embodied therein and/or having other data stored therein, wherein the computer readable program code comprises the computer code  97 . Generally, a computer program product (or, alternatively, an article of manufacture) of the computer system  90  may comprise said computer usable medium (or said program storage device). 
     Still yet, any of the components of the present invention could be deployed, managed, serviced, etc. by a service provider who offers to generate a service request comprising contract associations. Thus the present invention discloses a process for deploying or integrating computing infrastructure, comprising integrating computer-readable code into the computer system  90 , wherein the code in combination with the computer system  90  is capable of performing a method for generating a service request comprising contract associations. In another embodiment, the invention provides a business method that performs the process steps of the invention on a subscription, advertising, and/or fee basis. That is, a service provider, such as a Solution Integrator, could offer to generate a service request comprising contract associations. In this case, the service provider can create, maintain, support, etc., a computer infrastructure that performs the process steps of the invention for one or more customers. In return, the service provider can receive payment from the customer(s) under a subscription and/or fee agreement and/or the service provider can receive payment from the sale of advertising content to one or more third parties. 
     While  FIG. 7  shows the computer system  90  as a particular configuration of hardware and software, any configuration of hardware and software, as would be known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, may be utilized for the purposes stated supra in conjunction with the particular computer system  90  of  FIG. 7 . For example, the memory devices  94  and  95  may be portions of a single memory device rather than separate memory devices. 
     While embodiments of the present invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, many modifications and changes will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to encompass all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.