Patent ID: 7444298

Claim:
A method for product order entry, product order visibility and product order processing in a communications network, the method comprising the steps of: receiving, via a seller communications device having communications network access, a product order from a buyer communications device; submitting, via said seller communications device having communications network access, said product order to an order entry and visibility system, wherein the submitting includes selecting one or more suppliers from a plurality of suppliers to fulfill said product order; communicating, via said order entry and visibility system, said product order to a supplier communications device; receiving, via said supplier communications device having communications network access, said product order from said order entry and visibility system; fulfilling at least a portion of said product order; providing product order fulfillment information to said order entry and visibility system; shipping said at least a portion of said product order; tracking a shipping status of said at least a portion of said product order via said order entry and visibility system; in response to said shipping status indicating that said at least a portion of said product order has been delivered, generating an invoice via said order entry and visibility system; providing said buyer with an opportunity to dispute said invoice; and resolving disputes related to said invoice via said order entry and visibility system.