Patent ID: 7933812

Claim:
A method by which a purchasing entity purchases a part or a system component, the method comprising: a) obtaining over a computer network sourcing information from a Tier 1 supplier, the Tier 1 supplier supplying at least one assembly to the purchasing entity, wherein the sourcing information identifies (1) at least one third party Tier 2 supplier, the Tier 2 supplier supplying at least one subcomponent to be integrated into the assembly; and (2) a pre-existing relationship between the Tier 1 supplier and the Tier 2 supplier; b) ordering the at least one assembly from the Tier 1 supplier, wherein the ordering results in a requisition to the Tier 2 supplier of the at least one subcomponent; c) storing data regarding the at least one assembly and the at least one subcomponent ordered in step b on a digital storage medium, wherein the data includes identifying information of the third party Tier 2 supplier; and d) bypassing the Tier 1 supplier and directly issuing a release to the Tier 2 supplier to ship the subcomponent to a predetermined location.