AU2005100295B9 - Multiple quotes using internet - Google Patents

Description

-1- COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT TITLE: MULTIPLE QUOTES USING INTERNET "Getting Multiple Quotes for any trade from suppliers /contractors using the internet for Products /Services".

21 Nov 06 11:48p PRIVATE 2 Cl MULTIPLE QUOTES USING INTERNET Z Field of the Invention Cl The invention relates to automated request systems for obtaining quotations and in particular, to ani online system for obtaining multiple quotes using the internet which provides a comparative quote statement that allows a user to determine the best quote for the good(s) and/or service(s) they require based on their own decisive o factors.

V) Background to the Invention Cl Conventionally, when a person requires a quotation for the price of a particular item and/or having a service provided, they Will refer to a directory, provided in paperback or online, to search for possible companies they can contact via phone or email.

However, this process can be quite Urns-consuming and laborious and will consequently result in fewer companies being contacted before making a decision.

There have been a few online systems which have been developed to simplify and/or automate the process for requesting a quote in order to save a person's time by providing better search engines and capabilities and allowing a user to send request for quotes (RE~s) online. The disadvantage of these systems is that they fail to provide a registration system for suppliers, to ensure that the suppliers want to participate and provide quotes, and fail to provide a means of sending the request to all possible suppliers within a selected area rather than specific suppliers to provide a broader range of quotes and a comparative quote statement to be achieved.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide overcome and/or substantially armliorate the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an online system for obtaining multiple quotes using the internert which provides a comparative quote statement that allows a user to determine the best quote for the good(s) and/or service(s) they require based on their own decisive factors.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05425376 Received by IP Australia: Time 23:52 Date 2006-11-21 21 Nov .06 11:48p PRIVATE 3 Cl Summary of the Invention Z The present invention provides an online system for obtaining multiple quotes using Cl the internet including: an online interface provided by a service provider that is accessible over a distributed communications network; at least one registered customer and at least one registered supplier; at least one interactive request for quote form, having at least one information o section, for completion by both said customer arid said supplier; IC) a search means; and o a comparative quote statement detailing at least one quote received from one or Cl more suppliers whereby the online system allows a user to determine the best quote for the good(s) and/or service(s) they require based on their own decisive factors.

The interactive request for quote form preferably enables the customer and/or the supplier to upload written and/or graphical information.

The comparative quote statement is preferably provided in a comparative layout format so the customer can easily view the statement and compare different aspects of the quotation in order to determine the most suitable supplier based own their own decisive factors.

The present invention further provides a method for obtaining multiple quotes using the internet comprising the following steps: providing at least one customer and at least one supplier registering to use a system; providing an online interface that is accessible over a distributed communications network; said customer completing and submitting an interactive request for quote (arm; said system searching and sending at least one copy of a customers interactive request for quote form to all suppliers for a particular area and/or a business category; said supplier(s) completing and submitting the same interactive request for quote form received from a customer; said system collating at least one quote received from one or more suppliers; and providing said customer with a comparative quote statement detailing at least one quote received from one or more supplier whereby the method allows a user to COMS ID No: SBMI-05425376 Received by 1P Australia: Time 23:52 Date 2006-1.1-21 21 Nov .06 11:48p PRIVATE 4 \0 o determine the best quote for the good(s) and/or service(s) they require based on their own decisive factors.

0 Z Brief Description of the Drawing Figure Figure 1 shows an example of the quote request form according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In o Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention In this preferred embodiment, the invention provides an online system for obtaining o multiple quotes using the internet which provides a comparative quote statement that c allows a user to determine the best quote for the good(s) and/or service(s) they require based on their own decisive factors..

The system preferably has provided a service provider (not shown) which is adapted to provide and means for the requesting and provision of quotes, and the interaction of at least one customer 2 and at least one supplier 3, via an online interactive interface 4. The online interactive interface 4 is preferably in the form of a website 4 provided over an distributed communications network such as the internet or the like, and is accessible via any locally connected or remote computer, mobile, PDA or other suitable device capable of being connected to the internet and/or network using a direct or wireless connection means.

The website 4 preferably includes at least one web page 5 which is interconnected or interlinked and can be accessed via links provided on the home page and/or other page within the website. The website 4 contains at least one interactive quote request form 1. The quote request form 1 has provided at least one information section 6 which must be selected and/or filled in by a customer 2 and/or supplier 3.

The information sections may preferably include, but not be limited to, the following: Type (ie. goods/service); Location; Type of premises (ie. house/unit/high rise building); Description of work/product; Turnaround time for quote; Budget; COMS ID No: SBMI-05425376 Received by IP Australia: Time 23:52 Date 2006-11-21 ?1 Nov 06 11:48p PRIVATE o Turnaround time for compieting work; and *Quantity.

o The request for quote farm I is also adapted to provide the possibility for the Z customer 2 and/or supplier 3 to upload written and/or graphical information which can be used by a suppler 3 to show an available product, or a customer 2 to indicate the work required 1o obtain a more precise quotation.

The system has provided a search means (not shown) in the form of a search engine o which is adapted to search for appropriate suppliers of products and/or services that 0 may be required by a customer 2 in a particular area and/or category. The search engine can have provided at least one search criteria which may be utilized to limit or o expand a search. The search criteria preferably includes, but is not limited to, area/location, category, service or product type (ie. domesticindusrial/comrrercial) and/or information sections 6 completed on a request for quote form 1.

The system has provided a comparative quote statement (not shown) which is adapted to display all quotes that are provided within the turnaround time for providing a quotation. The statement is provided in a comparative layout format so that the customer can easily view that statement and compare different aspects of the quotation in order to determine the most suitable supplier that can meet their needs which may be picked based on their own decisive factors such as cost, location, turnaround time for completing job, quality/style of product/service or any other suitable criteria.

The method of the invention involves a supplier 3 being given the opportunity to make products/services available to members of the public and obtain additional jobs by providing competitive quotes to entice customers 2 to choose them. The supplier 3 registers their details to become a member and gain access to the system of the invention. This can be done via the online interface 4 accessible via a suppliers 3 computer via the internet. In order to register for an account the supplier 3 can provide information including, but not limited to, contact details, accepted payment methods, company information including business category, location etc. Once a supplier 3 registers their details to establish an account, they will preferably be provided with a password and/or userid which they can utilise to log onto, and have access to, the system. Once a supplier 3 logs into the system it is envisaged that they wAil be able to view and complete all request for quote forms that they are eligible to participate in, and have been sent, depending on their location and/or COMS ID No: SBMI-05425376 Received by IP Australia: Time (H:ni) 23:52 Date 2006-11-21 ,21 Nov.06 1l:49p PRIVATE 6 o business category. The supplier 3 preferably fills in their response on the same Cl request for quote form 1 that is received from the customer. Accordingly, it is o envisaged that a different request for quote form will be sent to each supplier 3.

Cl The method of the invention further involves a customer 2 registering their details to become a member and gain full access to the functionality of the system. This can be done via the onflne interface 4 accessible through a customers 2 computer via the internet. Once a customer 2 has provided their contact details and other necessary o information, they are issued with a unique usemname and password which they can o utilise to log onto the system and have access to the services and facilities available.

V) It is envisaged that membership may be divided into customer or supplier omembership areas such that members may only have access to the appropriate Cl sections of the website. Once a customer 2 logs onto the system they are able to fill out one or more request for quote form I for products andfor services they require.

The system wil then search a database of subscribing suppliers 3 and submit the request for quote form 1 to all suppliers 3 within a particular area andlor category.

Once the request for quote form has been sent to the relevant suppliers and the responses received and collated, the customer will be issued with a comparative quote statement, which can be sent by mail or email, that they can use to analyse the different quotes and select and their preferred supplier.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05425376 Received by IP Australia: Time 23:52 Date 2006-11-21

Claims (3)

1. 2. An online system for obtaining multiple quotes using the internet as claimed in claim 1 wherein the interactive request for quote form enables the customer anid/or the supplier to upload written and/or graphical information.
2. 3. An online system for obtaining multiple quotes using the internet as claimed in claim I or claim 2 wherein the comparative quote statement is provided in a comparative layout format so the customer can easily view the statement and compare different aspects of the quotation in order to determine the most suitable supplier based on own their own decisive factors.
3. 4. A method for obtaining multiple quotes using the internet comprising the following steps: providing at least one customer and at least one supplier registering to use a system; providing an online interface that is accessible over a distributed communications network; said customer completing anid submitting an interactive request for quote form; said system searching and sending at least one copy of said interactive request for quote form to all suppliers for a particular area and/or a business category; said supplier(s) completing and submitting the same interactive request for quote fanm received from a customer; said system collating at least one quote received from one or more suppliers; and COMS ID No: SBMI-05425376 Received by IP Australia: Time 23:52 Date 2006-11-21 21 Nov .06 11:50p PRIVATE 8 INO O providing said customer with a comparative quote statement detailing at least one quote received from one or more suppliers whereby the method allows a user to determine the best quote for the good(s) andlor service(s) they require based on Z their own decisive factors. A system and method for obtaining multiple quotes using the internet as substantially described herein with reference to the above examples and drawing In figure. 0 -i iII Vo o~ COMS ID No: SBMI-05425376 Received by IP Australia: Time 23:52 Date 2006-11-21