Source Evidence Linking for M&A Fairness Opinions
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mergers and acquisitions transactions, the reliance on commercial spreadsheet software and HTML links for transaction comparables analysis leads to issues with link expiration and data inaccuracies, causing delays and potential regulatory fines or reputational damage due to the lack of efficient source evidence management.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilizes a processor to display fields related to a transaction, prompts users for source evidence, and allows access to a document library database for linking screenshots to fields, ensuring all evidence is validated before generating a fairness opinion report, with features like warning icons for missing evidence and document uploading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If commercial spreadsheet software and HTML links are used for transaction comparables analysis, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to link expiration and data inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures and stores screenshots of source documents at the time of data extraction, creating a permanent visual copy that preserves the original state of the source material. This eliminates the problem of HTML links expiring or changing, as the screenshot serves as a timeless, immutable reference that can be stored indefinitely without degradation or expiration issues
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary validation and documentation of source evidence before finalizing the fairness opinion report. By requiring users to attach screenshots and validate source documents in advance, the system ensures data accuracy and reliability are established before the report is completed, preventing last-minute issues with expired links or incorrect data
2Device complexity
If manual source evidence management is used, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time increases due to delays in adding new sources and reevaluating transactions
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically manages source evidence by capturing screenshots, storing them in a structured format, and maintaining automatic links between source documents and the fairness opinion report. This automated self-service approach eliminates the need for manual tracking and updating of source materials, significantly reducing the time required to add new sources or reevaluate transactions while keeping the system relatively simple to use
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback to users about the status of source evidence, including validation results and completeness checks. This immediate feedback mechanism allows users to quickly identify and correct missing or incorrect source materials, reducing delays and ensuring that all necessary evidence is captured before report finalization
3Ease of operation
If HTML links are used for source evidence, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to track link updates and versions
Solution Approach 1:
By capturing screenshots of source documents, the system creates a precise visual record of the data at the time of extraction. This screenshot copy includes all relevant information, formatting, and context, providing a more accurate and detailed representation of the source material compared to a simple HTML link, which may not preserve the original state or provide sufficient detail for verification
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system for providing source evidence in support of information to be used for conducting a transaction, such as a fairness opinion to be used for a mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transaction, is provided. The method includes displaying, on a screen, a plurality of fields that relate to the transaction; receiving first user inputs that correspond to some of the fields; prompting the user to provide source evidence that relates to the received first user inputs; receiving a second user input that activates a button for accessing a document library; displaying a list of documents included in the document library; receiving third user inputs that correspond to respective documents selected by the user; displaying a content of each selected document; receiving fourth user inputs that correspond to screenshots of respective portions of the displayed content; and automatically linking the screenshots to the corresponding fields.