Web enabled business to business computer system for rental car services

Abstract

An Internet enabled, business-to-business computerized transaction system is disclosed in its preferred embodiment for use in providing rental car services for high volume users and comprises an Internet web portal through which the high volume user may access an integrated business computer network for the rental vehicle service provider. The rental vehicle services provider computer network is configured to interconnect a geographically diverse plurality of branch offices, cataloguing their available rental vehicles and schedules for same as well as handling all transactional data relating to its business. The Internet web portal provides ubiquitous connectivity and portability for a multi-level business organization who regularly places high volumes of rental purchases with its business partner. Utilizing the method and apparatus of the present invention large volumes of rental transactions may be placed, monitored, altered during performance, and closed out with financial accounting and payment being made virtually without human intervention.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE AND PRIORITY CLAIM TO RELATED PATENT APPLICTION [0001] This application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 641,820 entitled “Web Enabled Business to Business Operating System for Rental Car Services” filed Aug. 18, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to the field of an Internet enabled business-to-business intelligent communication link allowing a first business organization to have intelligent interaction with a second fully integrated business organization to facilitate the placing of orders or reservations for business services or goods, with the services or goods provider having a computer network linking multiple levels of its organization to provide for the smooth conduct of business between the two organizations. More particularly, this field relates to an Internet enabled automatic rental vehicle transacti...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a business-to-business communication system that uses a web portal with a browser-based graphical user interface (GUI) presentation. This system provides several technical advantages over the previous version. Firstly, it allows for portability and connectivity in a business environment where mobility and connectivity are at a premium. Secondly, the GUI interface streamlines and organizes the presentation of information to a user in a way that helps them interact with the system more easily. Thirdly, the system offers additional functionalities that improve efficiency and productivity. Fourthly, the system is customizable to meet the needs of individual business partners. Fifthly, the system provides a more robust interaction capability through the creation of menu designs that allow for access to the most commonly needed features from any point in the menu architecture. Overall, the present invention offers greater control and flexibility to users, improving efficiency and productivity."

Problems solved by technology

For large business organizations communicating at multiple levels, this significant advantage cannot be minimized as there are large numbers of people who must be continuously trained due to the growth of the organizations, as well as the inevitable attrition.

For example, it was found that even despite the built-in error checking and correction facilities provided to the users of the system, a repetitive pattern of mistakes involving incorrect claim numbers was discovered.

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