Commerce Network Quote Evaluation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current commerce networks face inefficiencies in evaluating and selecting quotes, leading to sub-optimal user experiences, manual processes, and difficulties in finding new suppliers, resulting in delayed procurement and lack of visibility in quotes, which can impact business continuity and lead to unfavorable pricing.
Innovation Solution
A commerce network system that electronically evaluates and selects quotes by applying a weighted combination of evaluating factors, including price, quality of service, and delivery time, using a matching engine to identify suitable suppliers and facilitate automated or manual awarding based on business rules, thereby enhancing the user experience and improving quote quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual quote evaluation processes are used, then buyers can review quotes in detail, but the process is time-consuming and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical evaluation processes with an automated electronic system that uses algorithms and computing power to evaluate quotes. The system automatically receives, evaluates, and ranks quotes from multiple suppliers based on predefined criteria, eliminating the need for manual review while maintaining evaluation accuracy through systematic computational methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automated self-evaluation of quotes through predefined business rules and evaluation criteria. The commerce network automatically performs the evaluation work without requiring continuous human intervention, allowing the system to serve itself in processing and ranking quotes based on established parameters such as price, delivery time, and quality metrics.
2Productivity
If automated quote evaluation is implemented, then processing speed increases, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation system is segmented into distinct functional modules: quote reception module, evaluation criteria module, scoring module, and ranking module. Each module handles a specific aspect of the evaluation process, making the overall complex system manageable through functional decomposition. This modular approach allows the system to process quotes automatically while keeping the complexity organized and controllable.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation system is designed to handle multiple evaluation criteria (price, delivery time, quality, service level) within a single unified platform. The system can evaluate different types of quotes from various suppliers using the same infrastructure, making it a multi-functional solution that reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate systems for each evaluation aspect.
3Reliability
If multiple evaluating factors are considered, then quote selection quality improves, but the evaluation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system manages multiple evaluation factors by converting them into standardized numerical parameters with assigned weights. Each qualitative factor (quality, service level) is transformed into a quantifiable parameter that can be mathematically processed. This parameter transformation allows the system to consider multiple factors simultaneously while maintaining evaluation simplicity through standardized scoring mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces weighted scoring as an intermediary mechanism that simplifies the comparison of multiple evaluation factors. By assigning weights to different criteria and calculating composite scores, the system creates an intermediate representation that bridges the gap between multiple complex factors and a single ranked outcome, making the evaluation process more manageable.
4Adaptability or versatility
If buyers manually search for suppliers, then they can find suitable suppliers, but the process is time-consuming and delays procurement
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-registering and pre-vetting suppliers in the commerce network before actual procurement needs arise. Suppliers are evaluated and stored in a ready-to-use database with their capabilities, qualifications, and performance metrics pre-assessed. When a procurement need arises, the system can immediately query and match suppliers without requiring time-consuming searches or initial vetting processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual supplier search and selection processes with automated electronic matching systems. The system uses algorithms to automatically match buyer requirements with supplier capabilities based on predefined criteria, eliminating the need for manual supplier research, contact, and evaluation while maintaining adaptability through configurable matching parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments for methods, systems and apparatuses of a commerce network for completing a commercial transaction are disclosed. One computer-method includes receiving, by one or more commerce network servers, a buyer-initiated demand for fulfillment of the commercial transaction, identifying suppliers to satisfy the buyer-initiated demand based on buyer policies and supplier characteristics, requesting quotes from the identified suppliers, receiving quotes from the identified suppliers, evaluating and selecting, by the one or more commerce network servers, one or more of the received quotes, wherein evaluating and selecting the one or more of the received quote comprises applying evaluating criteria to the received quotes, wherein the evaluation criteria includes applying a weighted combination of a plurality of evaluating factors, and facilitating presentation of the one or more selected quotes to the buyer.