Method and computer program product for managing an internet trading network

US7243077B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Theresa W. Broden · Endwell, US
• Glenn C. Godoy · Endicott, US
• Jane M. Murphy · Vestal, US
• Mark A. Musa · Brackney, US
• Sherry L. Wilson · Conklin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 2, 2001
• Grant date: Jul 10, 2007
• Expiry date: Nov 22, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q50/188
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An Internet trading network is operated by establishing supplier memberships of suppliers providing offerings to the trading network; establishing customer memberships of customers providing volume commitments; consolidating all volume commitments for a particular commodity or service when negotiating an offering with the supplier; managing memberships and their accounts.