Abstract:
Systems and methods for facilitating web based sales presentations with synchronized display are provided According to one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a request from a sales representative to have an invitation sent to a customer to remotely view a presentation; sending a communication to the customer inviting the customer to view the presentation; storing the presentation at a storage unit associated with a server system; displaying at a first separate computer system of the sales representative, navigational links for selecting a slide of the presentation; in response to the customer selecting a URL included in the communication to the customer, displaying, at a second separate computer system of the customer, the presentation; and synchronizing a display of the presentation at the first separate computer system of the sales representative and the display of the presentation at the second separate computer system of the customer.

Description:
FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY 
     At least some embodiments of the disclosure relate to a tool for sales representatives to present sales and marketing collateral to customers via a dual web interface allowing the sales representative to control the presentation and flow while the customer follows along. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Currently, the length of the average telephone sales interview is 4-6 minutes. Many sales representatives are struggling with engaging the customer for the necessary time to adequately fact find and introduce a company&#39;s full suite of products. In field observations, sales representatives were working from their order entry system screens, rather than referring to sales collateral. 
     Sales representatives need a new way to make a sales pitch to prospective customers from a remote location. Although there are numerous products and services available that provide remote display of a presentation, these products and services typically require software to be installed on each remote computer, and none easily provide talking points that only the presenter can see. For example, some products require using a projector with one screen showing the slides and notes and separate screen showing just the slides. Other products and services require a monthly or per-use service fee, and in yet other products and services require the presenter to upload the presentation or share it from their own computer system. 
     SUMMARY 
     Systems and methods are described herein to facilitate web based sales presentations with synchronized display. Some embodiments are summarized in this section. 
     In one embodiment, a computer implemented method comprises receiving, by a server system, a request from a sales representative to have an invitation sent to a customer to remotely view a presentation; sending, by the server system, a communication to the customer, inviting the customer to view the presentation, wherein the communication includes a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) providing access to remotely view the presentation; centrally storing the presentation at a storage unit associated with the server system, the presentation completed prior to receiving the request from the sales representative; exclusively displaying, by the server system, at a first separate computer system of the sales representative, navigational links for selecting a slide of the presentation centrally stored separately at the storage unit associated with the server system, for display at a second separate computer system of the customer, wherein the navigational links are not displayed at the second separate computer system of the customer; in response to the customer selecting the URL included in the communication to the customer, displaying, by the server system, at the second separate computer system of the customer, the presentation centrally stored separately at the storage unit, as separately navigated by the sales representative; and synchronizing, by the server system, a display of the presentation at the first separate computer system of the sales representative and the display of the presentation at the second separate computer system of the customer. 
     The disclosure herein includes methods and apparatuses which perform these methods, including data processing systems which perform these methods, and computer readable media containing instructions which when executed on data processing systems cause the systems to perform these methods. 
     Other features will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description which follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. 
         FIG. 1  presents a flow diagram describing an overview of the Web based sales presentations with synchronized dual display, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  presents a flow diagram describing initiating the process of the Web based sales presentations with synchronized dual display, in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  presents an illustration of a SEND INVITE FORM, in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  presents an illustration of an email invitation containing a unique meeting URL, in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  presents an illustration of a CONFIRMATION NOTICE, in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  presents an illustration of a sales representative&#39;s view, in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  presents an illustration of a system diagram, in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  presents a flow diagram describing the process of the Web based sales presentations with synchronized dual display, according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding. However, in certain instances, well known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure are not necessarily references to the same embodiment; and, such references mean at least one. 
     Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments. 
     One embodiment as described herein provides a tool for sales reps (also referred to herein as “representatives”) to present sales and marketing collateral to customers via a dual web interface allowing the sales rep to control the presentation and flow while the customer follows along. The Rep view has navigational links used to share the presentation with the customer one slide at a time. In one embodiment, presentations are prepared by marketing in advance for the sales reps to use, so that marketing can control the presentation and message that is presented to potential customers. Moreover, neither the rep or the customer need to upload files or share their desktop, like traditional conferencing solutions. 
     The rep and the customer simply go to their respective meeting URLs and the rep has complete control over when the presentation starts and what slides the customer sees. One embodiment utilizes features built into existing browsers (e.g., Internet Explorer), and therefore no software has to be installed or activated on the customer&#39;s or rep&#39;s computer. In one embodiment, the rep has the ability to select multiple styles of prepared presentations to tailor the discussion with the customer. In addition to selecting the overall style or type of presentation to use, the rep can pick and chose the slides to show to the customer, using the rep view of the presentation, without having to page through slides, or exit presentation mode. 
       FIG. 1  presents a flow diagram describing an overview of the Web based sales presentations with synchronized dual display. In process  102 , once in communication with the customer, the rep proceeds to obtain the customer&#39;s contact information (e.g., email address) and proceeds to send the customer a link to remotely view the web-based presentation. In process  104 , once the customer and the rep enter into the website through their unique URL&#39;s, the presentation can begin. The customer does not need to login to the conference, selecting the unique URL both have received automatically provides access to the presentation. 
     In process  106 , the rep activates the meeting and begins navigating through the presentation (e.g., one slide at a time) by clicking on the visible links within the rep&#39;s view (e.g., along the left hand side of their screen), which in one embodiment are presented only in the rep&#39;s view. In one embodiment, in process  108 , when the rep has finished presenting the initial slides related to the value story, the rep can transition into the close phase of the call by selecting the product slides (e.g., displayed along the left hand side of the page within rep view). Any slide the rep clicks on will be automatically changed on the customers view. 
       FIG. 2  presents a flow diagram describing the process of initiating the Web based sales presentations with synchronized dual display, in accordance with one embodiment. In process  202 , the rep selects a web-link presented on the website initiation page, to bring up a SEND INVITE FORM  302 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in accordance with one embodiment. In process  204 , the rep fills in the selected fields (e.g., Presentation Style  306 , Rep ID  308 , Manager ID  310 , and Customer Email  312 ) and then proceeds to click the SEND INVITE  314  button located on the SEND INVITE FORM  302 . 
     In process  206 , the customer will receive an email invitation containing a unique meeting URL  402 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in accordance with one embodiment. In process  208 , after sending the email invitation to the customer, the sales rep promptly receives a CONFIRMATION NOTICE on their screen, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , in accordance with one embodiment. In process to  210 , the rep selects the START PRESENTATION button  502  to open the rep&#39;s view as illustrated in  FIG. 6A , in accordance with one embodiment. The rep&#39;s view includes navigational links  604  to navigate the presentation with the customer (e.g., one slide at a time). 
     In process  212 , once the customer selects on their URL link  402  and the rep selects the START PRESENTATION BUTTON  502 , the customer&#39;s remote view of the presentation is made available to the customer, as illustrated in  FIG. 6B  in accordance with one embodiment. The navigational links are not included in the customer&#39;s view. At this point, the rep is able to give the presentation by selecting from one slide to the next. 
     In one embodiment, as illustrated in the system diagram of  FIG. 7 , the presentation material is stored at a centralized location  704  associated with a server  702 . A first separate computer of the sales representative  706  as well as a second separate computer system of the customer  708 , may both gain access to the presentation centrally stored. As a result, sales and marketing can ensure a consistent message to customers about products and services. Presenters do not need to upload material to a server or worry about having the latest version. 
     One embodiment utilizes applications built into web browsers (e.g., HTML, JavaScript, and AJAX) along with backend processes (e.g., JSP, Java, and Oracle) to keep the sales rep and customer screens in sync, as described in more detail in the flow diagram of  FIG. 8 . As described above, initially the sales rep initiates the process by submitting an Invitation for the customer to join a meeting. In process  802 , submitting the Invitation executes a Java program to email the customer a meeting invitation (including the URL for the meeting) and records the information about the new meeting (including a unique meeting id) in a database (e.g., a relational database). 
     As discussed above, a confirmation screen (see  FIG. 5 ) is presented to the sales rep, once the email is sent. The sales rep then activates the meeting by pressing the Start Presentation button on the confirmation screen. 
     Once the meeting is activated, a new screen is displayed to the sales rep that includes navigational links  604  to the slides for their presentation (see  FIG. 6A ). The sales rep can select any link  604  to display a slide from the list of slide links  604  in the navigation area. In process  804 , selecting a navigation link  604  executes a Java program that locates the associated slide graphic and talking points. In process  806 , a page indicator is updated in the database (for this meeting id) to reflect the page that the sales rep is currently viewing. The sales rep&#39;s screen is refreshed to display the selected slide graphic and talking points. In one embodiment, this process is repeated each time the sales rep selects a navigation link  604 . 
     Once the customer receives the meeting invitation via email, the customer can select the meeting URL that is contained in the message body of the email (see  FIG. 4 ). In process  808 , the customer selecting the meeting URL will execute a Java program on the server to lookup the associated meeting information (for this meeting id) from the database. The current slide graphic (that matches the sales rep&#39;s display) is located and displayed on the customer&#39;s screen. (See  FIG. 6B ). In one embodiment, approximately every 4 seconds, an AJAX function in the customer&#39;s web browser is executed to determine if any of the meeting information in the database has changed. Changes in the meeting information will occur when the sales rep selected a navigation link  604  as described above. If any change is detected, a Java program is executed to locate the current slide (that matches the sales rep&#39;s display) and is displayed on the customer&#39;s view. In one embodiment, this process is repeated automatically about every 4 seconds, to keep the customer&#39;s view in sync with the sales rep&#39;s view. The customer does not have to perform any other actions to keep the screens in sync. 
     In this description, various functions and operations may be performed by or caused by the execution of software code that produces the result from execution of the code/instructions by a processor, such as a microprocessor. Alternatively, or in combination, the functions and operations can be implemented using special purpose circuitry, with or without software instructions, such as using Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). Embodiments can be implemented using hardwired circuitry without software instructions, or in combination with software instructions. Thus, the techniques are limited neither to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software, nor to any particular source for the instructions executed by the data processing system. 
     At least some aspects disclosed can be embodied, at least in part, in software. That is, the techniques may be carried out in a computer system or other data processing systems in response to its processor, such as a microprocessor, executing sequences of instructions contained in a memory, such as ROM, volatile RAM, non-volatile memory, cache or a remote storage device. 
     Routines executed to implement the embodiments may be implemented as part of an operating system or a specific application, component, program, object, module or sequence of instructions referred to as “computer programs.” The computer programs typically include one or more instructions set at various times in various memory and storage devices in a computer, and that, when read and executed by one or more processors in a computer, cause the computer to perform operations necessary to execute elements involving the various aspects. 
     A computer-readable media can be used to store software and data, which when executed by a data processing system, causes the system to perform various methods. The executable software and data may be stored in various places including, for example, ROM, volatile RAM, non-volatile memory and/or cache. Portions of this software and/or data may be stored in any one of these storage devices. 
     In various embodiments, hardwired circuitry may be used in combination with software instructions to implement the techniques. Thus, the techniques are neither limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software nor to any particular source for the instructions executed by the data processing system. 
     Although some of the drawings illustrate a number of operations in a particular order, operations that are not order-dependent may be reordered and other operations may be combined or broken out. While some reordering or other groupings are specifically mentioned, others will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and so do not present an exhaustive list of alternatives. Moreover, it should be recognized that the stages could be implemented in hardware, firmware, software or any combination thereof. 
     In the foregoing specification, the disclosure has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will be evident that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope as set forth in the following claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.