Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a system and method of supplying customers a product. More particularly, it relates to a method of permitting landscapers and suppliers to interact with each other in order to permit the landscapers to obtain supplies from a supplier. 
         [0002]    While the following description is directed to a landscaper/supplier relationship, it should be appreciated that the method of the current invention is not limited to the landscaping business and may be used in other customer/supplier relationships and that the landscape/supplier relationship is being used as one example for discussion purposes. 
         [0003]    One of the problems facing landscapers today is the inability to know which growers or landscape suppliers have the plants, mulch, etc., needed to complete a job. As a result, landscapers spend an inordinate amount of time calling or visiting such suppliers to purchase supplies. Since most growers or landscape suppliers do not always have all of the landscapers&#39; needs in stock, the landscaper is often required to visit multiple growers or landscape suppliers. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, there is a need for an easier way for landscapers to obtain product for each landscape job. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    These and other shortcomings of the prior art are addressed by the present invention, which provides a system and method configured to allow a landscaper to find and purchase product without spending an inordinate amount of time calling or visiting suppliers. 
         [0006]    According to one aspect of the invention, a system configured to permit a consumer to request bids from multiple suppliers includes a processor having software thereon, the processor being accessible to both consumers and suppliers through a communications network and configured to provide a hub to allow interaction between the consumers and suppliers. The hub is configured to provide a request module, a transmission module, a bid module, and a close-out module. The request module is executed by the processor in response to a consumer logging into the system. The request module is configured to permit the consumer to create a request list for submission to a supplier. The transmission module is executed by the processor in response to the submission of the request list or a bid from the suppliers. The transmission module is configured to automatically transmit the request list to suppliers for bidding or to transmit the bids from the suppliers to the consumer. The bid module is executed by the processor in response to the request list being transmitted to the suppliers. The bid module is configured to permit the suppliers to bid on items contained in the request list. The close-out module is executed by the processor in response to the bids being received by the consumer. The close-out module is configured to permit the consumer and suppliers to correspond with each other to finalize terms of sale and close-out the request list. The system permits a consumer to request bids from multiple suppliers at one time. 
         [0007]    According to another aspect of the invention, a method for conducting a sale transaction between a consumer and a plurality of suppliers includes the steps of creating a request list containing items that the consumer would like to purchase, transmitting the request list to the plurality of suppliers for a quote, receiving the quotes from the plurality of suppliers and selecting suppliers from the plurality of suppliers to contact, and agreeing to terms of sale and closing the request list. 
         [0008]    According to another aspect of the invention, a method for conducting a sale transaction includes the steps of providing a centralized hub configured to connect consumers to suppliers. The hub is configured for access through a communications network. The method further including the steps of having a consumer log into the hub as a consumer and create a request, using the hub to automatically transmit the request to a plurality of suppliers for quotes on each item included on the request, having the plurality of suppliers log into the hub as a supplier to submit quotes for each item on the request, and using the hub to automatically transmit the quotes from the plurality of suppliers to the consumer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The subject matter that is regarded as the invention may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a graphical representation of the system and method according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart showing landscapers and suppliers connected by a hub for the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  10  are flow charts showing the steps that a landscaper takes to receive bids/quotes for the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 5-9  are flow charts showing the steps that a supplier takes in providing bids/quotes for the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 11  illustrates a sign-up process for landscapers and suppliers for the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 12  is a graphical representation of a system and method according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 13  is a flow chart showing a system and method according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    Referring to the drawings, an exemplary system and method according to the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-11  and shown generally at reference numeral  10 . The system  10  includes a server  11  having a processor  12  and software configured to permit a customer/supplier relationship for the purposes of obtaining and supplying a product easily. The system  10  is configured to provide a web portal or other communications networks for accessing the system  10  by both the customer and the supplier and performs processing functions to enable transactions between them. For example, a typical web portal or communications network might be a centralized server having software contained thereon to provide a user interface. The server is accessed by users connected to the internet via home terminals. 
         [0018]    For purposes of clarity, the invention will be further discussed as a landscaper/supplier relationship to provide a single example. It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to a landscaper/supplier relationship; rather, the invention is configured to provide a customer/supplier relationship in its most general form. 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-11 , the software contained on the server/processor provides a centralized hub  13  that connects landscapers  14  with suppliers  16 . In the current example, the suppliers are broken down into growers  17  and mulch/suppliers  18 . It should be appreciated that there may be a single supplier or multiple suppliers. The hub  13  provides control modules for controlling transactions taking place between the landscapers and suppliers and sets rules for those transactions. It should be understood, that the hub is the heart of the system. For example, the hub  13  includes a membership module  13 A configured to permit landscapers  14  and suppliers  16  to create a membership and log in to the system  10 —this module also controls all actions regarding the user&#39;s profile; a request module  13 B configured to allow a landscaper to create a request list for submission to suppliers  16 ; a transmission module  13 C configured to transmit the request list to the suppliers  16  for bidding, as well as, to transmit bids from the suppliers  16  to the landscaper  14 ; a bid module  13 D configured to permit suppliers  16  to bid on items contained in the request list for submission to the landscaper  14 ; and a close-out module  13 E configured to permit the landscaper  14  and suppliers  16  to negotiate terms of sale and to close-out the request list. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , generally, the landscaper  14  posts a request on a job board provided by the system  10 , block  20 . The request is placed on a request list, block  21 , and the request list is auto-emailed to suppliers  16  based in a corresponding pre-assigned zone, block  22 . The supplier  16  responds to the landscaper&#39;s request, block  23 , and the response is sent to the landscaper  14 , block  24 . The landscaper  14  and suppliers  16  can then message back and forth to negotiate the number of product being supplied as well as the unit price for each product, blocks  26  and  27 . 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  10 , the landscaper  14  accesses the system  10  by signing up for a membership, block  30 , and creating a profile. Once the landscaper  14  creates his/her membership, the landscaper  14  can log in to the system  10 , block  31 . Once logged in, the landscaper  14  can conduct various activities, for example, the landscaper  14  can edit or cancel his membership, block  32 ; view history of jobs/quotes received, block  33 ; invite others to join, block  34 ; post requests for quotes, block  36 ; and edit requests, block  37 . When posting a request for quotes, block  36 , the request shows up on a request list, block  38 , is auto-emailed to suppliers based on zone, block  39 , and must include a close date or accepted date to alert other suppliers that the request has been filled, block  40 . It should be understood that the request is open to all suppliers assigned to the zone. It should also be understood that the zone refers to a specified region on a map, for example, a zone may be a tri-state region or in the case of plants, it may be designated by growing regions such as zone  7 . 
         [0022]    Once the request list is received by the suppliers  16 , the suppliers can message the landscaper  14  with a quote or other information, block  41 . The landscaper  14  can then view responses and quotes, block  42 , and message the suppliers  16  that the landscaper  14  wishes to contact, block  43 . The landscaper  14  can then negotiate with the suppliers  16  and accept their bids, block  44 . The bids are then closed, block  46 , and the transaction completed offline, block  47 . 
         [0023]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the landscaper  14  cannot view request lists or quotes and messages from other members and jobs, blocks  48  and  49 . 
         [0024]    To avoid repetition, the supplier  16  description will only be discussed with respect to a grower  17 . It should be appreciated that the basic steps shown for a grower  17  in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  9  also apply generally to other types of suppliers, such as mulch/supplier  18 . 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  9 , the grower  17  sets up a membership, block  50 , and creates a profile, block  51 . Unlike a landscaper  14 , the grower  17  also pays a membership fee, block  52 . Once the membership is valid, the grower  17  logs in to the system  10  for access, block  53 . Once logged in, the grower  17  can edit/cancel membership, block  54 ; view history of bids, block  56 ; invite others to join, block  57 ; respond and upload quotes to landscapers, block  58 ; and edit requests for supplies, block  59 . The grower  17  cannot view lists of other members or quotes and messages, blocks  60  and  61 . 
         [0026]    If the grower  17  responds and uploads a quote, block  58 , the quote shows up on the request list, block  62 , and the grower  17  can message with the landscaper  14 , block  63 , with quote and close date, block  64 . The landscaper  14  can then view the quotes and message the winning grower or growers  17 , blocks  66  and  67 , to accept the bids, block  68 , and complete the transaction(s), blocks  69  and  70 . It should be appreciated that more than one grower may submit bids to the landscaper and that more than one bid may be accepted by the landscaper. For example, the landscaper may fill part of the request from one supplier and another part of the request from a second supplier. 
         [0027]    A more detailed explanation of the above discussion is as follows: 
         [0028]    (1) A user visits a homepage for the system  10 . The homepage may be available to the user as a website or any other means providing easy access. At the homepage, the user chooses if they are a landscaper  14  or supplier  16  (grower  17  or mulch/supplier  18 ). 
         [0029]    (2) If landscaper  14  is chosen, the system  10  takes the user to a sign up page. Landscaper fills out an information sheet with a username and password, and submits the form electronically. Landscaper gets a confirmation email telling them they are a member via email. 
         [0030]    (3) If grower  17  is chosen, grower  17  fills out an information sheet with a username and password and credit card information. Suppliers  16  pay a fee for access to the list of supply requests. Grower  17  submits the form electronically. Grower  17  gets a confirmation email telling them they are now member. 
         [0031]    (4) If mulch/supplier  18  is chosen, mulch/supplier  18  fills out an information sheet with a username and password and credit card information. Suppliers  16  pay a fee for access to the list of supply request. Mulch/supplier  18  submits form electronically. Mulch/supplier  18  gets a confirmation email telling them they are now a member. 
         [0032]    (5) After landscaper  14  is a member they can post their supply request. Posting a supply request works as follows:
       (i) Landscaper  14  logs into their account and clicks on the (add a request) link.   (ii) System  10  brings them to a page to list the supplies the landscaper needs. The supplies may also be entered by using a pre-populated database.   (iii) There are two sections: first section is for landscaper to post “plant needs” (e.g. trees, plants, flowers). The landscaper posts “plant needs” and submits the request.   (iv) The second section is for posting “supply needs” (e.g. Seed, Fertilizer, Sod, Hardscaping and Irrigation Parts). The landscaper posts “supply needs” and submits the request.       
 
         [0037]    (6) After a post has been submitted by a landscaper  14 , the grower  17  or mulch/supplier  18  can log into their account and they can see the “supply need” post the landscaper posted on a list. The grower  17  or supplier  18  can then click on the post. The post opens and the grower  17  or supplier  18  can type their bid on portions of the “supply need” post and click submit. The grower  17  or supplier  18  then has submitted their bid to the landscaper  14 . 
         [0038]    (7) Landscaper  14  can then see the bid that the supplier  18  or grower  17  has posted. Landscaper then can accept any bid given by the grower  17  or supplier  18 . 
         [0039]    (8) The grower  17  or supplier  18  can then converse with the landscaper  14  via email or via website to set up shipping or pickup of material. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 12 , where like numbers represent like elements, a system and method according to an alternative embodiment is shown generally at reference numeral  100 . The system and method  100  uses the same system, i.e., server, processor, and software, as system  10  except that the process for submitting a request no longer requires submission to a job board. In the current method, the landscaper  14  creates a request, block  120 , that is loaded onto a request list, block  121 . The request list is pushed to the hub  113  along with a list of selected suppliers. It should be understood, that in this embodiment of the invention, the landscaper  14  actually chooses which suppliers  16  to submit the request to, as opposed to the list being uploaded to a general job board for all suppliers to see. The hub  113  then emails the request list to the selected suppliers, block  122 . Once the supplier  16  receives the request list, the supplier  16  responds to the landscapers request, blocks  123  and  124 . The suppliers and landscapers can then message each other through the system  100  or via external communications means, such as email, texting, telephone, etc., blocks  126  and  127 . It should be appreciated that unlike the system and method  10 , system and method  100  allows the landscaper and supplier to view each others profile. This provides a measure of security to prevent false posts from being uploaded to the system. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 13 , where like numbers represent like elements, a system and method according to an alternate embodiment of the invention is shown generally at reference numeral  200 . The system and method  200  includes the same system, i.e., server, processor, and software, as system  10  except that the process or method of operation is different. As shown, a landscaper  14  logs in to the system  200 , block  231 , and creates a request list, block  221 . The request list may be generated manually by typing in each requested supply or by using a pre-populated data base, block  211 . If the data base is used, the landscaper may sort through the data base by variety/type of plant or by searching for plants designated by growing zone. Once the desired plant is found in the data base, the landscaper simply clicks on the plant and designates the number of plants needed—the information is then automatically populated into the request list. 
         [0042]    Once the request list, block  221 , is completed, the landscaper  14  selects suppliers  16  located within a pre-defined area, for example, a 50 mile radius, block  215 . The request list is then auto emailed by the hub  213  to the selected suppliers, block  222 . The suppliers  16  then bid on the request, block  223 , and send the bids back to the landscaper, block  224 . The request is closed out at this point. The landscaper  14  receives the bids from the suppliers  16  and begins to negotiate with the suppliers  16 , block  226 . It should be appreciated that communications between the landscaper and suppliers may be make internally through the system  200  or externally via email, text, etc. Once the price is agreed upon, the supplies are purchased, block  225 . The purchase of the supplies may be made through the system  200  via the hub  213  or via agreed to terms between the landscaper  14  and supplier  16 , block  235 . The supplier then ships the supplies to the landscaper or provides them for pickup, block  245 . It should be appreciated that unlike the system and method  10 , system and method  200  allows the landscaper and supplier to view each others profile. This provides a measure of security to prevent false posts from being uploaded to the system. 
         [0043]    The foregoing has described a system and method of supplying customers a product. While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications thereto can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation.

Technology Category: g