Patent ID: 8732023

Claim:
A system for a first business entity to provide order management between at least second and third independent business entities, comprising: a processor connected to an electronic communications network and a display; and a memory having instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising: (a) receiving, using the processor through the electronic communications network, a service level agreement for at least one of the second business entity and the third business entity utilizing the electronic communications network; (b) storing, using the processor through the electronic communications network, the service level agreement; (c) receiving, using the processor through the electronic communications network, inquiries from at least one of the second business entity and the third business entity concerning a service being performed by the second business entity under the service level agreement; (d) generating, using the processor, events based on the service level agreement and at least one of the inquiries; (e) determining, using the processor, whether to apply at least one of charges, discounts, rebates, or modified rates based on the events relating to a deviation from the service level agreement; (f) receiving, using the processor through the electronic communications network, a first request for a first order from the second business entity; (g) transmitting, over the electronic communications network using the processor, the first order to at least the third business entity; (h) receiving, using the processor via the electronic communications network, from the third business entity, first information relating to a status of completion of the first order by the third business entity; (i) tracking, using the processor, progress of completing the first order based on the first information; (j) generating, using the processor, progress reports from the tracking; (k) transmitting, using the processor through the electronic communications network, the progress reports to the second business entity using the electronic communications network; (l) forecasting, using the processor, by the first business entity, future orders of the second business entity for products of the third business entity, the forecasting comprising: collecting, by the first business entity using the electronic communications network, data relating to customer usage of the service provided by the second business entity; analyzing the data to determine customer demand trends for the service; and using the trends to predict when demand of the products will exceed supply of the products; and (m) receiving, by the first business entity using the processor through the electronic communications network, a subsequent request, sent from the second business entity, for a subsequent order based on the forecasting.