Knowledge-based e-catalog procurement system and method

Abstract

A flexible, intelligent electronic procurement method and system that emulates and learns from the adaptive behavior of a user trying to find a product in an electronic catalog. The invention allows for searching heterogeneous catalogs in virtually any format, and does not require pre-defined hierarchies, nor the pre-loading of vendor catalog contents, nor the scrubbing of vendor data. It does not impose fixed structures on the user, and it does not force the user to think like someone else. Instead, the invention allows the user to choose their own way to navigate a catalog of items, and then by recording successful search scenarios and storing that knowledge in a dynamic collection of search paths, the invention organically evolves. As the collection of search paths can be accessed by other users, the utility of the invention increases over time once implemented in a given environment.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 215,109, entitled “Knowledge-based e-catalog procurement system and method”, and filed Aug. 8, 2002, which claims priority to the provisional application:[0002]Knowledge-Based E-Catalog Procurement System and Method,[0003]Application No. 60 / 310,915, Filing Date Aug. 8, 2001[0004]Inventors G. C. Berkowitz, C. C. Wurtz, B. M. Roe.[0005]The above mentioned applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0006]Not ApplicableREFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX[0007]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0008]1. Field of the Invention[0009]The present invention is directed toward the field of electronic procurement systems. More specifically, the technology described in this patent application relates to a knowledge-based e-catalo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a knowledge-based e-catalog procurement assistant that helps businesses manage catalogs in electronic procurement systems. It aims to solve problems such as inconsistent nomenclature across suppliers and the difficulty of finding specific items in online catalogs. The solution is designed to be flexible, adaptive, and easy to use, and it captures the shopping process by remembering successful searches and sharing search knowledge among users. It requires no pre-loading of index data, does not require existing systems to change, and it is dynamic, flexible, and adaptive. Overall, IntelleCat helps businesses streamline the procurement process and improve efficiency in online purchasing."

Problems solved by technology

One of the most difficult problems facing B2B Internet commerce is the lack of consistent nomenclature across suppliers.

Although the Internet provides access to a large number of supplier catalogs (approximately 40-50% currently, with up to 90% coming online over the next 1-2 years), the effort required to locate a particular item is highly labor intensive.

In the case of Aspect, the solution is expensive.

Additionally, data must be preloaded, a task that represents a significant cost in data-entry person-hours.

Finally, the solution is costly to maintain, because as vendor catalogs change over time, additional data entry is required to change underlying databases.

Images