Patent Publication Number: US-6990465-B1

Title: Establishment of preferred business partners using a vendor certification program

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to education or learning system implemented via a communication network and, in particular, for a system for establishing preferred business partners using a vendor certification program offered via a communication network. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is generally understood that business entities exist primarily for the purpose of generating profits. Such entities, which may comprise any individual, organization or enterprise, typically offer one or more services or one or more products as a mean of generating revenue. In developing such services and/or products, entities will typically develop a high level of subject matter expertise in various areas concerning their services and/or products. A good example of this is an auto manufacturer that develops a wide array of subject matter expertise relating to the manufacture and sale of automobiles. 
     One aspect of profitability for such entities is their ability to obtain high quality goods and services from vendors at a reasonable price. In turn, the ability of a vendor to provide such high quality goods and services at a reasonable price often turns on the depth of knowledge the vendor has regarding the various aspects of the business of the entity to whom the vendor wishes to sell its goods and services. One solution that addresses the needs of both business entities and the vendors that supply them is to provide vendor certification programs in which vendors are provided the opportunity to develop greater understanding of the subject matter expertise possessed by the entity. In this manner, vendors are better able to meet the needs of the entity and do so in a more efficient manner, thereby allowing the vendor to charge for its goods and services at a more reasonable rate. In turn, the entity increases the likelihood that it will be able to acquire goods and services from vendors that are of a sufficiently high quality and reasonable cost to improve profitability performance. 
     One difficulty, however, with vendor certification programs is that they are often expensive for a given entity to implement, and typically do not provide sufficient revenue to the entity to justify the start-up costs. Furthermore, from the perspective of vendors attending such certification programs, there is no guarantee that attendance at such certification programs will confer any business advantage to the vendor relative to the entity providing the certification program. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a technique whereby vendor certification programs may be more readily and efficiently provided by entities, and that provide a degree of incentive for vendors to participate. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a technique whereby entities are able to efficiently implement vendor certification programs that are used to develop preferred business partners. To this end, the present invention incorporates the use of electronic learning techniques whereby a curriculum, based in subject matter expertise possessed by an entity, is provided to vendors in the form of a vendor certification program via a communication network. In exchange for a fee, vendors are allowed to partake of the curriculum offered in the vendor certification program and, upon completion of at least a portion of the curriculum, are conferred certified vendor status by the entity. Such certified vendor status likewise confers preferential consideration by the entity when the entity undertakes acquisition decisions. In one embodiment of the present invention, the vendor certification program may be provided through a public communication network such as the Internet or World Wide Web or, in another embodiment of the present invention, may be provided through a private communication network. In yet other embodiments of the present invention, variable levels of certified vendor status may be achieved in direct proportion to the number of personnel affiliated with a vendor that successfully completes at least a portion of the vendor certification program, or in direct proportion to a percentage of the program completed. Using these techniques, the present invention allows entities to generate revenue through the provision of the vendor certification program. Additionally, vendors are incentivized to participate in the vendor certification program and to pay a fee for such participation due to the preferential consideration such vendors will receive in acquisition decisions by the entity in exchange for successful completion of the vendor certification program. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram schematically illustrating an implementation of a vendor certification program in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating a method for an entity to provide a vendor certification program and to make acquisition decisions based on certified vendor status. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a method whereby a vendor may obtain certified vendor status. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating operation of a vendor certification program in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention may be more fully described with reference to  FIGS. 1–5 . Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a system  100  is illustrated comprising a certification program framework  102 , a communication network  104 , remote clients  106  (only one shown) and enterprises  108  (only one shown). As shown, the certification program framework  102  comprises a variety of components used to implement a vendor certification program by or on behalf of an entity. In particular, a server  120 , which may comprise a web server such as a Compaq Proliant DL380 running MS NT and MS IIS as known in the art, is provided as a host for front-end applications used to implement a vendor certification program in accordance with the present invention. The server  120  is coupled to the communication network  104  which is described in greater detail below. Additionally, the server  120  is coupled to a security gateway  122  which functions to provide secure access to various databases and secure applications used to implement a vendor certification program in accordance with the present invention. A suitable platform for implementing the security gateway is an SL  100   r  with Ultra Sparc II processor workstation running Check Point VPN-1 Gateway Encryption Module software. The security gateway  122  is coupled to a plurality of servers  124 – 130  used to host the databases and secure applications. Although shown in only a single server  124 , each of the servers  124 – 130  comprises a processor  140  coupled to a memory  142 . As known in the art, the processor  140  may comprise a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor or the like, or combinations thereof. Likewise, the memory  142  may comprise various combinations of volatile and non-volatile digital storage devices such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), hard drives, optical drives, etc. The memory  142  may be used to store software programs executed by the processor  140 . Additionally, the memory  142  may store data that is manipulated by the software programs stored in the memory  142  and executed by the processor  140 . Furthermore, although a parallel implementation of a plurality of servers  124 – 130  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a variety of server architectures may be used in accordance with the present invention, and that the number of such servers used is a matter of design choice. 
     As also shown in  FIG. 1 , one or more business systems  132  may be coupled to the plurality of servers  124 – 130 . In particular, the business systems  132  comprise those functions used by the entity implementing the vendor certification program to execute acquisition decisions on behalf of the entity. In the context of the present invention, an acquisition decision encompasses the business intelligence, and tools in support thereof, used by the entity when deciding what types of goods and services to acquire for the entity&#39;s ongoing operations as well as the particular sources from which to obtain such goods and services. As such, the business systems  132  may comprise a wide array of resources from an individual&#39;s knowledge and expertise to automated ordering systems to procurement policies and procedures. As described in greater detail below, information regarding certified vendor status that has been granted to one or more vendors is preferably stored within the databases forming a part of the certification program framework  102 . Additionally, as known in the art, a monitor  134  is preferably provided to monitor various aspects of system performance, such as verifying system up-time, processing speeds, security breaches, bandwidth used, etc. 
     The communication network  104  couples the certification program framework  102 , via the server  120 , to one or more remote clients  106  (only one shown) as well as one or more enterprises  108  (only one shown). In a preferred embodiment, the communication network  104  comprises a public network such as the Internet or World Wide Web. Alternatively, the communication network  104  may comprise, in part or in whole, a private communication network such as an Intranet or Extranet, possibly operating in conjunction with the aforementioned public network. Furthermore, the communication network  104  may comprise elements capable of supporting wireless connections from the remote client  106  or enterprise  108  with the communication network itself. 
     The remote client  106  comprise devices capable of communicating, via the communication network  104 , with the certification program framework  102 . Preferably, the remote client  106  comprises a computer platform such as a laptop or desktop computer. As known in the art, such devices comprise a processor  150  in communication with memory  154  and a network interface  152 . As in the case of the plurality of servers  124 – 130 , the processor  150  included in the client  106  may comprise a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor or the like, or combinations thereof. Likewise, the memory  154  may comprise long-term and short-term storage elements embodied as RAM, ROM, and the like, or combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, a network browser application  156 , such as Netscape Navigator by Netscape Communications Corporation or Internet Explorer by Microsoft Corporation, is stored in the memory  154  for execution by the processor  150 . The browser application  156  allows a user of the remote client  106  to access a vendor certification program offered by an entity. Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other applications may be used for this purpose as a matter of design choice. Although not shown in  FIG. 1 , the remote client  106  also comprises a display, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or similar device, that may be used to display data received by the browser application  156  in conjunction with the vendor certification program. Additionally, a user input mechanism (not shown), such as a keyboard, mouse, voice recognition or similar means or combinations thereof, is preferably provided thereby allowing a user of the remote client  106  to interact with the vendor certification program, preferably via the browser application  156 . The network interface  152  is capable of communicating with the communications network  104  and supports a communications protocol needed to communicate with the certification program framework  102 . 
     The enterprise  108  may comprise any organization, such as a company, that provides network connectivity via a security gateway  160  and/or a server  162 . Arrangements and implementations of the security gateway  160  and server  162  in the context of an enterprise environment are well known in the art and need not be described in great detail here. The security gateway  160  and server  162  provide access for another remote client  164  to the communication network  104 . As in the case of the first remote client  106  described above, the remote client  164  residing within the enterprise  108  comprises a processor  166  coupled to an interface  168  and memory  170 . Likewise, the memory  170  comprises a browser application  172  capable of communicating with the vendor certification program. In this instance, the interface  168  allows the remote client  164  to communicate with the server  162  using a suitable protocol. Further still, the remote client  164  also includes the input mechanism and display previously described. Information exchanged with the server  162  by the remote client  164  is thereafter exchanged with the communication network  104  via the security gateway  160  as known in the art. In short, the remote clients  106 ,  164  illustrate the two most typical ways through which a vendor may access the vendor certification program in accordance with the present invention. Nevertheless, the present invention is not limited in the manner in which vendors access the vendor certification program. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a diagram illustrating the functional components of a vendor certification program in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In particular, a learning management component  202  is provided. A suitable example of a learning management component  202  is the Learning Management System provided by Docent Incorporated. The learning management component  202  handles a variety of functions related to the delivery of a structured curriculum such as registration of students, scheduling, testing of students, as well as the actual delivery of course content. The learning management component  202 , in turn, is coupled to one or more program databases  204 . The program database  204  is preferably implemented using one or more servers implementing suitable database software, such as Oracle database software. The program database  204  stores the actual course content delivered to students via the learning management component  202 . Additionally, the program database  204  may store information regarding certified vendor status for those vendors that have successfully completed at least a portion of the curriculum of the vendor certification program. The program database  204  is also coupled to a content development block  216 . The content development component  216  provides updates and revisions to the curriculum comprising the vendor certification program. Suitable web-content training development tools, including Docent&#39;s Content Delivery Server application, or others, like MS Front Page, may be used for this purpose. 
     The learning management component  202  is coupled to a variety of supporting components  206 – 212 . A meeting component  206  provides a means whereby students can, via the learning management component  202 , schedule virtual face-to-face meetings with instructors. Suitable software for providing such virtual meetings may be provided using Centra Software&#39;s eMeeting software. An e-mail component  208  is provided in order to send informational and confirmation messages to registered students. The legacy components  210  include various management-related software such at that provided by SAP, Peoplesoft, JD Edwards, etc. A connection is provided between the system and such legacy components  210  as a means to track what has transpired in the system. A financial component  212  interfaces to the necessary electronic commerce software used to handle financial transactions resulting from the provision of the vendor certification program. To this end, students may pay for courses offered in the vendor certification program using a credit card as known in the art. Software suitable for handling such credit card transactions is provided by Verisign Incorporated. Additionally, the financial component  212  may interface with software, such as that provided by Taxware International Incorporated, capable of computing the necessary tax calculations on any financial transactions. A call center  214  is provided as a means for students to contact a representative when necessary. In turn, the call center  214  is coupled to the learning management component  202  to ensure continuous reliable operation of the vendor certification program. Finally, vendors  218  are illustrated as being in communication with the learning management component  202 , the call center  214 , and the meeting component  206 . Communication by the vendors  218  with each of these components is preferably enabled via a communication network as described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is illustrated a flow chart describing the implementation and use of a vendor certification program in accordance with the present invention. Unless otherwise noted, the operations illustrated in  FIG. 3  are preferably implemented using a suitable computer-based platform, such as the certification program framework  102 . Beginning at block  302 , an entity provides a vendor certification program. To this end, the entity can implement the certification program framework  102  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , or it can engage the services of a third party that has implemented a suitable framework. In order to implement such a program, the entity must first define a suitable curriculum relating to one or more areas in which it has subject matter expertise. As known in the art, such a curriculum will comprise one or more courses comprising material that is to be mastered by the students and one or more tests used to gauge the proficiency of such students as they take the course. Once a suitable curriculum has been developed, it is made available via a communication network, preferably using the certification program framework  102 . In a presently preferred embodiment, the curriculum is accessible via a web page implementation using well known programming techniques. 
     Once the vendor certification program has been made available, one or more vendors may register for the program. In the context of the present invention, vendors are understood to comprise individuals that are employed by or are otherwise affiliated with organizations that act as suppliers to the entity offering the certification program. Thus, it is possible for more than one individual from any given organization to be participating in the vendor certification program. Such individuals are treated as representatives of the vendor organizations to which they belong. Assuming one or more such individuals have registered for the vendor certification program, processing continues at block  304  where it is determined whether notification of successful completion of at least a portion of the curriculum has been received. As described below, such notification may be provided at any one of a number of numerous points throughout a students progression through the curriculum. Upon receiving notification of successful completion of at least a portion of the curriculum, the entity grants certified vendor status to the vendor indicated in the notification. In one embodiment of the invention, certified vendor status may be divided into a plurality of levels corresponding to successive levels of achievement within the vendor certification program. For example, relative to a given vendor, progressively preferred levels of certified vendor status may be granted in direct proportion to the number of personnel associated with that vendor having successfully completed at least a portion of the vendor certification program. Alternatively, successive levels of status may correlate to increasing percentages of successfully completed portions of the vendor certification program. Regardless, once granted, certified vendor status confers upon the recipient preferential consideration by the entity when undertaking acquisition decisions. This is further illustrated with regard to blocks  308 – 312 . 
     At block  308 , it is determined by the entity whether an acquisition decision needs to be undertaken. The determination whether such decisions need to be made is typically highly dependent upon the nature of the entity&#39;s business. If so, processing continues at block  310  where the entity accesses information regarding a plurality of vendors. In particular, the entity accesses the program database  204  of the vendor certification program to determine if any vendors in the relevant area have attained certified vendor status. Thereafter, at block  312  the entity will confer preferential treatment to those vendors that have achieved certified vendor status. 
     For example, assume that an automotive manufacturing company desires to obtain certain parts for engine assemblies. Further assume that there are a plurality of appropriate vendors capable of providing the desired components. When determining which vendor to hire for this purpose, the auto manufacturer will determine if any of the potential vendors have received certified vendor status by virtue of completion of at least a portion of the vendor certification program relating to the design and operation of that manufacturer&#39;s engine assemblies. Such vendors thereafter will be given preferential treatment by the auto manufacturer when deciding which vendor to award the contract to. Such preferential treatment may be manifested in any of a number of ways. For example, the preferred vendors may be approached before any other vendors with the opportunity. Conversely, the opportunity could be presented to a plurality of vendors at the same time, however, limited only to those vendors having the certified status. Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the manner in which preferential treatment is manifested will be highly dependent upon the nature of the business engaged in by the entity conferring such status. In this manner, the auto manufacturer, having charged fees for its certification program, will have generating previously unavailable revenue while at the same time cultivating more reliable sources for its acquisition needs. Conversely, vendors will have gained valuable knowledge with regard to their likely clients and in so doing will have obtained a preferred status with those clients. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a technique for a vendor to participate in a vendor certification program in accordance with the present invention is shown. Where applicable, the technique illustrated in  FIG. 4  and described herein is preferably implemented using a computer-based platform, such as the remote clients  106 ,  164  shown in  FIG. 1 . At block  402 , a vendor registers for the vendor certification program provided by a given entity. In a preferred embodiment, a vendor certification program is provided via a communication network thereby enabling the vendor to participate in the program remotely. In this regard, the vendor, as that term is used herein, comprises one or more personnel employed by or otherwise affiliated with the vendor. At block  404 , having registered for the vendor certification program, the vendor completes at least a portion of the curriculum in a successful manner. Thereafter, at block  406  the vendor is notified that certified vendor status has been conferred upon the vendor by the entity administering the vendor certification program. Such notification may be sent to the vendor in an electronic form, such as through the communication network, or in a more conventional form, such as a certificate or the like. Furthermore, when varying levels of certified vendor status exist, the vendor may be notified of attainment of a certain level of vendor status. A more detailed description of the manner in which a vendor partakes in the vendor certification program is further provided with reference to  FIG. 5  below. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , progression through a vendor certification program by a student in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment is illustrated in greater detail. At block  502 , a vendor accesses the vendor certification program. As described above, this is preferably achieved through the use of a browser communication program running on an appropriate computer platform. At block  504 , the vendor may register for the vendor certification program if they have not done so previously. To this end, the vendor is requested to complete a registration form which requests the vendor to identify itself or, more particularly, for the individual to identify the vendor that he/she works for or is otherwise affiliated with. Optionally, upon completion of the registration form by the vendor, the entity may determine whether the vendor is approved for this particular vendor certification program. If the vendor is approved, then it will be able to proceed with the vendor certification program. If the vendor has previously registered with the program, it is requested to log-in at block  504 . Thereafter, at block  506 , the vendor is able to access the curriculum for the vendor certification program. In a presently preferred embodiment, this will comprise a course catalog including descriptions of, and prerequisite requirements for, each course available. 
     From block  506 , the vendor may pursue any of the number of options illustrated by blocks  508 – 520 . At block  508 , the vendor accesses content portions of the curriculum. If this is not new content to the vendor, then the vendor is allowed to proceed directly to the relevant material. Conversely, if this is new content to the vendor, the vendor is informed of any prerequisites necessary to access the content. If such prerequisites do not exist, or if they have been met by this vendor, the vendor is able to pay the necessary fee to access the content. In a preferred embodiment, once content has been paid for by a vendor the vendor is allowed unlimited access thereafter to that content. At any time after having accessed the content, the vendor may exit the content and reenter subsequently. 
     If the vendor has completed the content it is required, in a presently preferred embodiment, to first interact with a subject matter expert at block  510 . To this end, the vendor schedules such a meeting with the relevant expert. Thereafter, at the appointed time, the vendor may access the vendor certification program in the same manner and conduct a “virtual” meeting with the subject matter expert. During such a meeting, the vendor is able to ask any questions or clarify any points regarding the content previously studied by the vendor. If included as part of the curriculum, the vendor is thereafter eligible to take a post test at block  512 . Such a post test is essentially equivalent to a quiz used in more traditional learning environments. Techniques for administering quizzes or tests via a communication network are well known in the art and need not be described in further detail herein. Optionally, when provided, the vendor may take a final exam at block  514 . The final exam is the final arbiter on behalf of the entity whether the vendor has sufficiently mastered the subject matter provided by the content at block  508 . Successful completion of the final exam may thereafter trigger conferral and notification of certified vendor status as described previously. Alternatively, such conferral and notification may occur at other points in time and to varying degrees. For example, upon completion of the post test at block  512 , the vendor could be notified of a lesser degree of certified vendor status, which would be elevated to a greater degree upon successful completion of the final exam. Alternatively, certified status could be granted only after a number of courses have been successfully completed all the way through final exams. Regardless, the present invention is not limited in this regard. 
     A variety of administrative functions are also provided as illustrated by blocks  516 – 520 . At block  516 , the vendor may elect to view and/or edit a user profile or to view transcript information. If desired, the vendor may select a report option at block  520  that allows the vendor to obtain reports regarding account transaction, assessment reports, class schedule reports or related information. Further still, at block  518 , the vendor may select a customer support option. In this manner, the vendor may be coupled to customer support personnel or be provided with information allowing the vendor to contact customer support personnel off-line. 
     The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit invention to the precise form disclosed. The description was selected to best explain the principles of the invention and practical application of these principles to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments, and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. For example, the present invention is not necessarily limited in its application to vendors alone. Other affiliates of an entity that may benefit from the provision of an on-line curriculum and certification program are within the scope of the present invention. For example, referring again to the automobile manufacturer examples stated above, in addition to vendors, automobile dealerships (as an affiliate of the automobile manufacturer) may also participate in certification programs offer by the manufacturer. Upon successful completion of the program, the dealership is conferred preferred status with respect to its relationship with the manufacturer. In any event, it is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims set forth below.