Patent ID: 6885997

Claim:
An improved apparatus for comparing a plurality of rate plans on a net—net basis, the improved apparatus comprising: a. a computer having a memory; b. a database resident in the memory, the database having at least one table comprising one or more records, the records comprising one or more fields having a predetermined structure, the records further detailing at least one rate plan characteristic corresponding to each of a plurality of rate plans for services; c. an input terminal operatively connected to the computer for obtaining usage data, the usage data comprising cost data for the services; d. a reduction program executing within the computer for reducing the obtained usage data into a set of net cost data comprising reductions of obtained usage data into commonly denominated data expressed in units of measure congruent with units of measure of the at least one rate plan characteristic; e. a comparison program executing within the computer for comparing at least one of the plurality of rate plans to the net cost data; and f. an output terminal operatively connected to the computer for reporting the results of the comparison program.