Abstract:
A computer driven information management system selectively ranks and qualifies third-parties, such as vendors, by utilizing user-defined and selected questions and qualification criteria from various data sources to utilize the database information available in public, commercial or in private, or by information directly supplied by the third-party in a registration with the organization desiring information from the third-party. The system displays the results of the scoring system for user selection. Alternatively, the system can automatically generate a notification of selection to the organization, the user and the third-party from whom the information was obtained.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the priority filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/______, filed on Nov. 1, 2005. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0002]    This invention relates to a computer-driven information management system; and more specifically, to an information management system for selectively matching or qualifying third-party information providers within a specific knowledge domain to the preferred characteristics sought by the user. Although this unique method can be applied to many knowledge domains, such as Human Resources including Employee Recruiting and Promotions, Procurement Opportunity Gathering, Event Scoring, Multi-source Content Searching and Ranking, and the like, the present description will be limited to vendor selection and qualification for large corporate clients having thousands of different vendors who are providing millions of dollars of goods and services to the user throughout the world. 
         [0003]    The present invention allows a user, who may be purchasing agent in the specific example used herein, to selectively review and rank vendors interested in selling goods and services to the user&#39;s company based upon vendor input to user created questions within a specific knowledge domain or by query to existing databases of specific vendor information. Each knowledge domain would be specific to the diverse needs of the user and the vendor within the market for the vendor&#39;s product or service. For example, a large car manufacturer might seek inquiries from electrical vendors of electrical connections and suppliers of galvanized steel sheets. Each supply area would provide unique and critical criteria for choice. Information critical to the selection of an electrical supply vendor would not be compatible with the information necessary to obtain from the galvanized steel supplier, although common criteria can often overlap—such as geographic location of the supplier and financial stability of the supplier. 
         [0004]    This invention provides a method of creating and using a specific knowledge domain database to query individual vendors within a specific knowledge domain to select those who meet or exceed the criteria created by selection criteria. The query can be designed either upon submission or taken from a knowledge base database. This selection method can be implemented to acquire information and correspond to users and vendors over the internet to allow rapid response and selection when time is crucial to the selection and implementation of the selection. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]    The present method of scoring and automatically qualifying search results based on a pre-defined scoring matrix of third-parties relating to a knowledge domain is accomplished delimiting or fixing the boundaries of specific questions within the knowledge domain; invoking a rule construction tool to construct scoring rules to answers of said questions within the knowledge domain; invoking a qualification definition tool to define a qualification level and set level standards based on answers of said questions; storing said rules and qualification definitions as a scoring matrix; accepting search criteria and rank based on scoring matrix to query a database within a knowledge domain; displaying search results in categorized order by qualification level and ranked order by score level; and, selecting one or more third-parties above a selected rank order. 
         [0006]    The specific questions created for this method can be based on existing vendor registration forms or obtained from establishing and downloading from a link to one or more external databases with stored answers to specific questions, or stored data elements related to the specific questions. In this case, the user accesses the System to define and map the relationship between those data elements and the specific questions. The third-parties can be drawn from a group consisting vendors, employees, convention attendees, survey participants, consumers, or any other homogeneous group having common characteristics which can be determined from specific questions of interest to the user desiring to select and rank from a numerous group of responses in an efficient and timeless manner. The third-parties from whom the responses are obtained can be either existing parties with whom the user of this method are interested or can be prospective, to-wit, parties with whom the user is searching for desirable third-party with whom to do business, complete a transaction, or whatever process is motivating the use of this method. Since the process is automated using computerized and internet database resources, the communication links of the present invention allow an automatic email notification each selected party either upon selection or upon third party registration of the registering third-party qualification level and score. 
         [0007]    Alternatively, the present method of scoring and automatically qualifying search results based on a pre-defined scoring matrix of third-parties relating to a knowledge domain, can be accomplished by accessing specific existing data elements within the knowledge domain, which may consist of internal databases, external databases which may either be public or private and web site content both from publicly available web sites and from subscription or private web pages; invoking a rule construction tool to construct scoring rules to access specific existing data elements within the knowledge domain; invoking a qualification definition tool to define a qualification level and set level standards based on a scoring rules outcome; storing said rules and qualification definitions as a scoring matrix; accepting search criteria and rank based on scoring matrix to query a knowledge domain for additional specific existing data elements; displaying search results in categorized order by qualification level and ranked order by score level; and, selecting from said search results one or more third-parties above a selected rank order. The results from this ranked searching may be saved by storing the selected search results above a selected rank in a database specifically created for this search or within a generalized corporate database system for later access and use by others. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the process flow of functionality of the method. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a screen shot of a supplier qualification search process. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a screen shot of the rules definition step of the process. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a screen shot of the qualification and standards definition step of the process. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is an exemplar of a screen shot of a supplier qualification of the process. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is an exemplar of a screen shot of both the automated supplier qualification for both the qualification settings and the notification settings. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram of the process flow of the functionality of the method illustrating the multiplicity of data sources for populating the data search query. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]    This computer based, internet ready, vendor screening system provides two major functions. Once the knowledge base for area of interest has been created by an administrator, the user may create a search and rank participants by using the on-demand user-defined scored search function of the present invention. This on-demand scored search function is more clearly shown in  FIG. 1  as steps  10 - 70  inclusive. The second function providing an automated vendor qualification and selection process is shown in  FIG. 1  as steps  10 - 77  inclusive. As previously noted, even though the particular embodiment shown relates to vendor qualification and search, the tools of the present invention can be applied with equal ability to other knowledge domains, such as human resources, customer surveys, consumer preference surveys, and the like without departing from the spirit or intent of this invention. 
         [0016]    To access the system of the present invention, the administrator and user would both required to access a computer workstation with suitable hardware and software configured to receive and distribute information through a local area network and/or the internet to a pre-constructed system website. The workstation would provide a graphical user interface and application-specific entry forms or interactive windows. Other required system hardware includes a keyboard, mouse or pointing device, monitor, communications equipment such as a modem, and at least one line of communication with all other users and system components. System software includes a suitable web browser, such as Microsoft&#39;s Internet Explorer, Firefox, or similar browsers, for navigating the networked components of the system. In addition, conventional client I/O tools such as HTML, XTML, JAVA, or other similar network distributable software can be used to create various functional screens for end users on a global wide-area network. 
       On-Demand Scored Search 
       [0017]    An on-demand scored search function  100  can be used if the user of the service is sophisticated in the requirements and capabilities of the vendor pool from whom the selected vendor group will be drawn. As shown in  FIG. 1 , to utilize the on-demand feature of the present invention, an administrator within an organization must create a master question list  10  which appropriately defines the criteria for the universe of vendors from whom the user must choose or rank selected members. The administrator defines questions that commonly appear in vendor registration, qualification, or request for proposal forms and maps that database information into the question-formatting portion of the present system. Questions can be of many different types and provide various answer types. For example, a question can be a “Checkbox” type, and have “Numeric” values as opposed to a “Textbox” type with “Numeric” values or a “Radiobutton” type with “Text” values. This formatting flexibility permits the administrator to create a unique and comprehensive set of questions which can then be selected by the user for the search process  20 . 
         [0018]    The user can select from this predefined list a set of questions to build a scoring matrix. After the user has selected a set of questions  20 , the user can construct scoring rules for each question  30 . See  FIGS. 3 and 4  as illustrated examples. Scoring rules are constructed dynamically, similar to building a sentence. Scoring rules can either add a value to or subtract from the total score of a vendor, or flag the vendor with an icon if a certain answer criteria is met or, alternatively, not satisfied. 
         [0019]    In  FIG. 2 , the supplier qualification search screen provides the top level of the rule construction and qualification screens for the construction and search by the user. The user can pull up the supplier qualification screen,  FIG. 2 , to obtain a desired preset or previously created matrix or to create a new matrix. The user can alternatively move directly to the define rule screen,  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 6  demonstrates the automated supplier qualification of the present system, and may be reached from any of the related screens described above.  FIG. 6  can be used independently or can be combined with FIG.  3 —after search and rank and identify vendors or desirable candidates, then the user can invite the selected candidates to register online to provide more information (by answering more specific questions with the corresponding Score Matrix). The Automated Qualification process shown in  FIG. 6  will take actions to generate automated notifications to the matching users or buyers, and vendors or candidates. 
         [0020]    Questions can be of many different question types and have various answer types. The question and answer type can affect the types and uses of scoring rules available to be constructed  20  and applied to the question. The construction of these rules results from the interaction of the user as shown in  FIG. 3  screen shot. The user builds various associated scoring rules  30  for each question. Having created the appropriate rules, the user defines qualification levels and standards  40  to automatically sort scored vendors into each level as more fully shown in  FIG. 4 . The user can define the standard for each qualification level, for example, having a score between 90%-95% in addition to answering “Yes” to various critical questions will sort a new registrant into a certain level.  FIG. 7  shows how the query submitted by the user  22  to the query front end  19  of the present system  280  activates the data mapping function  300  to establish a link with either external database  400 , whether one or more, internal databases  500 , or web pages  600  available through the World Wide Web. The intelligent search function of the data mapping module  300  create a pattern based upon the query entered by the user and automatically searches for data fields which can satisfy the user&#39;s desired questions. Once these data fields, from either the external database  400 , internal database  500  or web page  600 , are selected the system automatically creates a match set for the query engine and ranks the results based upon the ranking rules previously described above. The results of this ranked search are transmitted back to the user as the scored results of the search  80 . The user  22  can iteratively refine his or her search pattern with the scored search results to ever more precisely define the data set and criteria desired, all in a manner well known to those using database search engines. The results of the scored search can be automatically saved permanently or temporarily, along with the data set and specific links which created the data set, to allow the user to recreate the data search or refine it at a later time. Alternatively, the searched and ranked results can be indexed to save the key data elements permitting the removal of all other non-utilized data elements from the original data set. 
         [0021]    After completion of the rules and qualifications for a particular vendor search, the user saves the selected questions and associated scoring rules as a scoring matrix. The user next can select  50  from a list of available vendor databases to be searched. These databases may be either internal or external or both within the context of the search to be performed. These databases can be public, commercial or private and the web sites may be accessible to the public or by password or subscription-based. 
         [0022]    The system automatically creates bound lists of relevant data fields which match the context and requirements of the user&#39;s proposed search patterns as expressed in the selection of questions posed by the user. This permits the user to obtain the widest possible search in the least amount of time with the greatest chance of isolating the desired vendor or group of vendors for further investigation. 
         [0023]    For example, the user enters search criteria such as keywords, city, state, zip code, etc. in the screen shown in  FIG. 2 . Utilizing the same screen, the user selects a scoring matrix to be applied to the search. The user can then save the scoring rules and qualification levels into a scoring matrix. During search, only one scoring matrix can be applied at a time. The user begins a search by selecting which databases to search from, entering the search criteria, and selecting a scoring matrix to apply. The user clicks the search button of  FIG. 2 , and the system searches for vendors based on search criteria. The system will first return a list of suppliers that meet the search criteria. The system will then score these returned vendors according to their answers to questions on the vendor registration form selected by the user. Each rule to each question is executed. Total and percentage scores are then calculated. Associated flags are tagged onto vendors according to defined rules. 
         [0024]    The system returns a list of scored and level-sorted vendors matching the search criteria as more fully shown in the screen shot of  FIG. 5 . Next, vendors are sorted into qualification levels according to the qualification level standard. If a vendor does not fit into any defined qualification level, the vendor will be placed in a general “Other Results” level. The user can also obtain lists of the marginally qualified, the unqualified, or other anomalous results through subsidiary screens by selecting tabs from the result screen of  FIG. 5 . The user can choose to export and/or save the search results for later use. 
         [0025]    The logic of this system may be used in other ways to perform automated search and notification for vendors (in the present embodiment) or other desired members of a knowledge base. 
       Automated Vendor Qualification 
       [0026]    If the user needs to obtain an expedited search for an appropriate vendor, the present system can be used for an automated vendor qualification and notification. The flow of this process is more fully shown in  FIG. 1  as steps  10  through  77  inclusive. The administrator who may also be the user selects from a list of administrator-defined questions  10  that appear in the organization&#39;s vendor registration form. Questions can again be of many different types and provide for various answers. Similarly, the question and answer type of the question will affect the types of scoring rules that are available to be constructed and applied to the question as was previously shown in the discussion relating to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0027]    If the organization permits the user to define their own scoring matrix  15 , the user selects questions  27  to be used from the master list. The user can then construct the scoring rules for each question  37  in a manner similar to that described above. Having constructed a list of qualifying questions, the user can define the appropriate qualification level and standard  47  and apply a scoring matrix  57  to obtain new vendors who have registered and now qualify under the criteria selected  67 . Once the vendor is scored with the user matrix selected, the user is notified of the qualified vendors for further processing and handling. 
         [0028]    If the organization does not permit the user from defining their own scoring matrix  15 , the administrator selects questions to be used in the matrix  25  and then constructs scoring rules for each question  35 . The administrator then defines qualification levels and standards  45  and applies the scoring matrix  55  to new vendor registrants  65 . Qualifying vendors can be automatically notified  75 , along with all users within the organization, of the vendor achieving this newly defined status. 
         [0029]    Variations of this process can be implemented without substantial effort. An organization can, for example, choose to use one or both of the following two configurations concurrently:
       An administrator chooses questions, sets up qualification levels, and constructs scoring rules for all the users of the organization. As soon as a vendor registers via an online vendor registration form, the answers to the selected questions will be scored according to the scoring matrix, and a qualification level will be applied to the vendor. Both the vendor and users of the organization will receive an online and email notification of the vendor&#39;s qualification level.   A single user chooses questions, sets up qualification levels, and constructs desired scoring rules. As soon as a vendor registers with the organization via an online vendor registration form, the answers to the selected questions will be automatically scored according to the scoring matrix, and a qualification level will be applied to the vendor, but specific to the user. The specific user will receive an online and email notification of the vendor&#39;s qualification level.
 
Organization-wide and user specific scores along with qualification levels for each new vendor registrant will be saved to the system. Organization-wide scores and qualification levels are accessible by all users. User specific scores and qualification levels are only accessible by the user.
       
 
         [0032]    The difference in the two functions is that the automated vendor qualification function only applies to new vendor registrants. Instead of an on-demand search of existing vendors in internal or external databases, an automatic qualification process will score and level-sort new vendor registrants. 
         [0033]    Scoring matrices can be configured by an administrator to score and sort new vendors for an entire organization. Similarly, each user within the organization can construct unique scoring matrices. As soon as a new vendor registers, the system will qualify the vendor based on the enabled scoring matrix of the organization, and optionally the scoring matrix of each separate user of the organization. 
         [0034]    The system will then score these returned vendors according to their answers to questions on the vendor registration form selected by the administrator or user. Each rule to each question is executed. Total and percentage scores can then be calculated. Associated information flags are tagged onto vendors according to defined rules. See  FIG. 5  for an example of a flag  51  which notes the vendor services Afghanistan. Clicking on the flag brings up a pop-up box describing the contents of the flagged entry. 
         [0035]    Next, vendors are sorted into qualification levels according to the qualification level standard. If a vendor does not fit into any defined qualification level, the vendor will be placed in a general “Other Results” level. 
         [0036]    The automated vendor qualification and notification feature is not found in the on-demand scored search function described above. New vendors and all users are notified of a vendor&#39;s qualification level and score based on an organization wide scoring matrix. Single users that have their own qualification matrices in place will separately be notified. The system can allow multiple e-mails, faxes, telephone call announcements, or text messages to be sent to qualifying vendors or candidates as a result of the scored ranking. A variety of differing responses may be triggered based upon scored or the results of the ranking system, all without departing from the spirit of this invention. 
         [0037]    Numerous embodiments and alternatives thereof have been disclosed. While the above disclosure includes the best mode belief in carrying out the invention as contemplated by the inventors, not all possible alternatives have been disclosed. For that reason, the scope and limitation of the present invention is not to be restricted to the above disclosure, but is instead to be defined and construed by the appended claims.