Patent AU-2014101062-A4 (AU)
Title: A system that utilises private and public compute and communication technologies to create a virtual market for customers and service providers. The system automates the management (works management system) of service related work requests posted by registered customers seeking a tendered (bid, quote) response from registered suppliers to complete the said work request. The system offers full lifecycle works management, through work request, acceptance, and completion, rating of the customer and supplier, payment and supplier reconciliation.
Inventor: MCIVOR NIGEL
IPC: G06Q30/08
Filed: 2014-09-03
Granted: 2014-10-09
Abstract: This abstract discloses a virtualised services market targeted at enhancing productivity. A bespoke works management system enables registered customers to post a work request to multiple registered suppliers, identify and accept the preferred tender and pay for works in a simple time constrained 3 step process using smart phone, tablet or PC. Customers are able to assess the veracity of a tender using a combination of price, schedule and supplier rating. The automated, time constrained process enables customers and suppliers to rate the performance of each party. Suppliers are able to receive requests based on their preferences and access (postcode, category) and manage these within the works management system. Both customer and supplier are provided with a configurable, real time dashboard. Registered customers (1.1) post work requests (2.1.1) inputting core Meta data that defines critical performance parameters required for the automated process. Customers are encouraged embed up to 6 photographs or a 30 second video (2.1.3) to provide a comprehensive summary of the work to be done and increase supplier confidence when submitting a tender. Work requests utilise category specific templates, 2 prompted free text fields and up to 6 photographs/drawings or a 30 second video. Requests are tagged and alerted based on priority, postcode/suburb, category and sub category (2.2.2) and supplier preferences and are automatically presented to registered eligible suppliers (2.2.3). Eligible suppliers are those that are match the customer defined metrics (2.1.1). Suppliers can, through their dashboard, filter work requests by location, category, sub category, postcode and priority. Eligible suppliers receive the same work request. Suppliers tender a response based on customer defined parameters, either fixed price bid or time and materials offer or both. Work requests automatically initiate a time constrained automated process (2.2.1) based on priority, which causes the work request and tender response to expire if not responded to within the available time. The work request is presented in the supplier's dashboard supported by supplier configurable alerts. The supplier reviews the work request and submits a tender (bid, offer) to complete the work (3.3.1). The works management system receives the individual tender (3.2.1) and collates this with other supplier tenders. At tender window closure all offers are presented to the customer (3.2.2). The customer is alerted that all tenders have been posted to the customer dashboard. The works management system initiates an automated customer response window. If a tender is not actioned the automated process removes the tenders from the customer's dashboard. Tenders are presented with supplier ratings (aggregated and individual) (4.1.1). On acceptance of a tender the customer supplier engagement is facilitated by an automated sub process (4.2.1). Customers may select multiple supplier responses and following further negotiation receive a final bid. On acceptance an invoice is generated to the customer and (4.2.3) and supplier (4.3.3). Supplier and customer dashboards are updated, works and reminders calendared (5.2.1). On completion of the work (5.1.1) the supplier initiates the closure sub process and rates the customer (5.2.1). An alert is forwarded to the customer to complete the rate and pay process (5.1.2). All databases are updated (5.2.2) and reconciliation statements issued. . . . . . . . . . . .i C mph1 .5 iE a lg: * T -~P 7x U-1 05olm-