WO2019243875A1

WO2019243875A1 - An asset procurement management system, and a method of managing procurement of an asset

Info

Publication number: WO2019243875A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/054569
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexander KYRIAKIDIS
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-06-21
Filing date: 2018-06-21
Publication date: 2019-12-26
Anticipated expiration: 2020-12-21

Abstract

An asset procurement system operable to interpret one or more human commands, the system including: a means of receiving a bid for procurement of said asset from a first bidder; a means of identifying one or more offers from one or more asset owners, wherein said one or more offers meet predetermined criteria; a means of maintaining a record of bids and offers received from said bidder and/or said asset owner; and a means of facilitating an agreement between said bidder and said asset owner. A method of managing procurement of an asset including: receiving a bid for procurement of said asset from a first bidder; identifying one or more offers from one or more asset owners, wherein said one or more offers meet predetermined criteria; maintaining a record of all available bids and offers received from said bidder and/or said asset owner.

Description

AN ASSET PROCUREMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. AND A METHOD OF MANAGING

PROCUREMENT OF AN ASSET

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an asset procurement management system, and a method of managing procurement of an asset.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A conventional asset rental agency such as a car rental agency is a company that rents automobiles for short periods of time, generally ranging from a few hours to a few weeks. It is often organized with numerous local branches (which allow a user to return a vehicle to a different location), and primarily located near airports or busy city areas and often complemented by a website allowing online reservations. Existing car rental agencies primarily serve people who require a temporary vehicle, for example, those who do not own their own car, travellers who are out of town, or owners of damaged or destroyed vehicles who are awaiting repair or insurance compensation

Alongside the basic rental of a vehicle, conventional car rental agencies typically also offer extra products such as insurance, global positioning system (GPS) navigation systems, entertainment systems, mobile phones, portable Wi-Fi and child safety seats.

In terms of conventional operating models, car rental companies generally operate by purchasing or leasing a number of fleet vehicles and renting them to their customers for a fee. Rental fleets can be structured in several ways - they can be owned outright (these are known as‘risk vehicles’ because the car rental operator is taking a risk on how much the vehicle will be sold for when it is removed from service), they can be leased, or they can be owned under a guaranteed buy-back program arranged directly through a manufacturer or manufacturer’s financial arm (these are known as‘repurchase vehicles’ because the manufacturer outlines the exact price of original sale and of repurchase at the end of a defined term).

Car sharing is another existing form of car rental. According to this known model of car rental, people rent cars for short periods of time, often by the hour. This business model is regarded as attractive to customers who make only occasional use of a vehicle, as well as others who would like occasional access to a vehicle of a different type than they use day-to-day. The organization renting the cars may be a commercial business or the users may be organized as a company, public agency, cooperative, or ad hoc grouping. Car sharing is part of a larger global trend of shared mobility. Shared mobility includes all modes of travel that offer short term access to transportation on an on-needed basis either for personal transportation or goods delivery. Conventional carsharing benefits individuals who can gain the benefits of private cars without having costs and responsibilities associated with car ownership. Instead a household accesses a fleet of vehicles on an as-needed basis. Carsharing may be thought of as organized short-term car rental.

Generally, carsharing programs can be qualified as one of four sharing types: Roundtrip, one way, peer-to-peer, and fractional. In roundtrip carsharing, members begin and end their trip, often paying by the hour, mile, or both. One-way carsharing, on the other hand, enables members to begin and end their trip at different locations through free floating zones or station- based models with designated parking locations.

in terms of existing methodologies, peer-to-peer carsharing (sometimes referred to as Personal Vehicle Sharing) operates similarly to roundtrip carsharing in trip and payment type: however, the vehicles themselves are typically privately owned or leased with the sharing system operated by a third-party. The fractional ownership model allows users to co-own a vehicle and share its costs and use.

The technology of car sharing systems varies enormously, from simple manual systems using key boxes and log books to increasingly complex computer-based systems {e.g. partially automated and fully automated systems) with supporting software packages that handle a growing array of back office functions. The simplest CSOs have only one or two pick-up points, but more advanced systems allow cars to be picked up and dropped off at any available public parking space within a designated operating area.

While differing markedly in their objectives, size, business models, levels of ambition, technology and target markets, these programs do share many features. The more established operations usually require a check of past driving records and a monthly or annual fee in order to become a member. The cost and maximum time a car may be used also varies.

To make a reservation, one can either make a reservation online, by phone, or by text messages depending on the company’s flexibility. There is a higher chance of availability the earlier the reservation is. if a reservation is cancelled however, one may still be charged.

Once the reservations are completed and confirmed, the car will then be delivered at the time and place scheduled. There will be a small card reader mounted on the windshield. Once the customer places their membership card on the reader, it will use what is called blink technology to activate the time and unlock the car. The reader will not work until if is time for that specific reservation. The keys can then be found somewhere inside the car such as the glove compartment. Depending on the company, the customer may be provided with a key to a lock box that contains the ignition key itself. Once the customer is set, they are off to their next destination.

It will be appreciated that, that one drawback of existing car rental sharing models is that some potential customers do not access the car rental market as the average cost of rental of the vehicle is beyond the reach of that consumer. These potential consumers therefore do not consider the rental of a car or car sharing as a viable option, as it is beyond their means.

Conversely, an asset owner may not know how competitive the market is in respect of rental of a particular vehicle and therefore price their rental too high, thereby leaving their vehicle unused for large portions of time. Had the vehicle owner been able to, he would have preferred renting out the vehicle at a lower rate for a portion of the time, as to ensure adequate use of the asset. Conversely, vehicle owners or lease holders may undervalue their vehicle and so rent the vehicle out at a price which is much cheaper than what they are able to obtain. With conventional markets, the power in respect of dictating the price of a product is squarely placed on the vehicle owner. In terms of conventional systems, the awareness of competitive market factors may be missing.

The above scenario typically applies to all assets that an owner may wish to rent out including property and the like.

In addition, it will be appreciated that the same scenarios are applicable to instances where an asset is sought to be sold to a third party and said third party seeks to acquire the asset.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an asset procurement management system, and a method of managing procurement of an asset which provides the advantages and addresses some of the issues and deficiencies described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an asset procurement system operable to interpret one or more human commands, the system including: a means of receiving a bid for procurement of said asset from a first bidder; a means of identifying one or more offers from one or more asset owners, wherein said one or more offers meet predetermined criteria; a means of maintaining a record of all available bids and offers received from said bidder and/or said asset owner; and a means of facilitating an agreement between said bidder and said asset owner.

In an embodiment of the invention, said system includes a means of facilitating an agreement between said bidder and one more additional asset owners, in response to an agreement between said bidder and said first asset owner not being established.

In an embodiment of the invention, said system applies to the rental of an asset. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, said system applies to the purchasing or acquisition of an asset.

In an embodiment of the invention, said means of identifying one or more offers includes a means of identifying a historic offer which may meet the predetermined criteria. In this embodiment, said system includes a means of providing said historic offer to said bidder.

In an embodiment of the invention, said means of facilitating an agreement between said bidder and said asset owner includes a means of enabling a bidder to secure procurement of said asset at the asset owner’s asking price for said procurement. In this embodiment, in response to said bid being placed in said record, said system includes a means of showing said bid to multiple additional asset owners identified by said system. In this embodiment, said means of facilitating an agreement between said bidder and said asset owner includes a means for any one of said one or more additional asset owners to respond to said bid with an offer. In an embodiment of the invention, said system includes a means of disabling said means for securing procurement of said asset at the owner’s asking price in response to a bid being received which exceeds a predetermined fraction of the offer price.

In this embodiment of the invention, said means of facilitating an agreement between said bidder and said asset owner includes said asset owner providing an offer for procurement of said asset to said bidder which is below their initial asking price. In this embodiment, said bidder may elect to trade at said offer price, improve the initial bid by showing a higher bid, or repeat their current bid. In this embodiment, an improvement of said bid will be limited to an increase of a predetermined fixed scale amount of the bid amount.

In this embodiment, in response to said bidder agreeing to trade at the offer price, a trade will be facilitated between said bidder and said asset owner.

In this embodiment, in response to said bidder increasing their bid then the asset owner may agree to trade at the improved bid price, repeat the current offer or improve the offer. If the offer is repeated then the bidder may again elect to agree to trade at the offer price, improve the bid by showing a higher bid or repeat their current bid. If the bid is repeated, the above process executes again. In response to an initial bid being repeated and the market becoming stuck, the asset owner and the bidder may elect to withdraw their interest.

In the event that the market is stuck, the system will enable one or more additional asset owners which have offers with similar criteria to the original offer, to make an offer. In response to a trade being facilitated, said system will include a means of notifying said bidder and asset owner involved in the trade that a trade had been facilitated and taking said bidder and said asset owner to a next stage of the process. In this embodiment, said system will include a conventional electronic commerce functionality.

In an embodiment of the invention, said system includes a means of calculating a mid price, based on a number of financial variables relevant to the currently executing trade including the price of the vehicle being rented on the system. In response to a trade being facilitated at a price which is below the mid-price for the vehicle, said system will include means of notifying one or more predetermined bidders of said trade. In response to a trade being facilitate at a price which is above the mid-price for the vehicle, said system will include a means of notifying one or more predetermined asset owners of said trade.

In an embodiment of the invention, said system includes a means of selecting one or more dates and/or times during which the bidder is looking to lease the asset. In this embodiment, said system is operable to display assets which are available for procurement during the specified times/dates.

In an embodiment of the invention, said system includes a means of classifying said asset based on the intrinsic or perceived value of the asset for procurement purposes, including the manufacturer, type and model of the asset (if applicable). In this embodiment, said asset may be classified as either a basic, standard or premium level asset. In this embodiment, said system includes a means for said bidder to select a category of asset which they are interested in leasing along with their initial offer for procurement of said asset. In this embodiment, said system includes a means of displaying one or more assets included in the specified class of assets for selection by said bidder. In this embodiment, said bidder is operable to select multiple classes of assets and/or multiple assets, for procurement.

In an embodiment, said asset is provided in the form of a motor vehicle. In this embodiment, said motor vehicle is provided in the example form of a privately-owned motor vehicle. In another embodiment, said motor vehicle is provided in the example form of a commercially owned or commercially operated vehicle. In yet another embodiment, said motor vehicle is provided in the form of a leased or partly-owned (shared) motor vehicle.

In another embodiment of the invention, said asset is provided in the form of procurement accommodation. In an embodiment, said procurement accommodation is provided in the example form of the whole or a portion (such as one or more rooms) of a privately-owned property. In another embodiment, said procurement accommodation is provided in the example form of commercially owned or commercially operated property.

In an embodiment of the invention, said means of maintaining a record of all available bids and offers received is provided in the form of a traditional database. In an alternative embodiment, said means of maintaining a record of all available bids and offers received is provided in the form of a distributed ledger. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of managing procurement of an asset, said method including one or more of the following steps: receiving a bid for procurement of said asset from a first bidder; identifying one or more offers from one or more asset owners, wherein said one or more offers meet predetermined criteria; maintaining a record of all available bids and offers received from said bidder and/or said asset owner; and facilitating an agreement between said bidder and said asset owner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is schematic diagram of an asset procurement management system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a computer within which a set of instructions, for causing the computer to perform any one or more of the methodologies described herein, may be executed; and

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a method of managing procurement of an asset, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognise that many changes can be made to the embodiment described, while still attaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be attained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilising other features. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognise that modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not a limitation thereof.

In Figure 1 , an asset procurement management system is generally described with reference to numeral 100.

The asset procurement management system 100 is a combination of a trading and a brokerage facility, accessible to any individual wishing to rent or to rent out an asset. In addition, the system 100 is accessible to any individual wishing to buy or sell an asset. This asset could be any non-living product such as commodities, financial products, vehicles and houses for example.

The system 100 includes an input/output functionality 102 which can receive a bid 104 for procurement of an asset from a first bidder 50. The system 100 further includes a processing engine 106 which can identify offers 108 from various asset owners 60 which meet predetermined criteria. The processing engine 106 is further able to formulate a suitable response to an initial bid by a bidder 50. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the system 100 includes a ledger 1 10, in the form of a database, which includes a record of all available bids 104 for the procurement of the asset as well as offers 108 for the renting out of the asset. It will be appreciated, that in other embodiments of the invention, the ledger may be provided in the form of a distributed ledger.

The system 100 also includes a transaction means 1 12 which can facilitate an agreement between the bidder 50 and an asset owner 60.

In Figure 2, a computer within which a set of instructions, for causing the computer to perform any one or more of the methodologies described herein, may be executed. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the computer is generally described with reference to numeral 200.

In a networked deployment, the computer 200 may operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The computer 200 may be a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any computer 200 capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that computer 200. Further, while only a single computer 200 is illustrated, the term "computer" shall also be taken to include any collection of computers that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The example computer system 200 includes a processor 202 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU) or both, a main memory 204 and a static memory 606, which communicate with each other via a bus 608. The computer 200 may further include a video display unit 210 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD)). The computer 600 also includes an alphanumeric input device 212 (e.g., a keyboard), a user interface (Ul) navigation device 214 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 216, a signal generation device 218 (e.g., a speaker) and a network interface device 220.

The disk drive unit 216 includes a computer-readable medium 222 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions and data structures (e.g., software 224) embodying or utilized by any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The software 224 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 204 and/or within the processor 602 during execution thereof by the computer system 200, the main memory 604 and the processor 602 also constituting computer-readable media.

The software 224 may further be transmitted or received over a network 226 via the network interface device 220 utilizing any one of a number of well-known transfer protocols (e.g., HTTP, HTTPS, WS, FTP).

While the computer-readable medium 222 is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term "computer-readable medium" should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term "computer-readable medium" shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the computer 200 and that cause the computer 200 to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present embodiments, or that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying data structures utilized by or associated with such a set of instructions. The term "computer-readable medium" shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories and optical and magnetic media.

The system 100 and/or database 1 10 may include at least some of the components of the computer 200. In Figure 3, a method of managing procurement of an asset, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, is generally described with reference to numeral 300.

At block 302, the method 300 includes the step of receiving a bid for an asset on the website, from a bidder.

At block 304, method 300 includes the step of placing the bid in the ledger database.

At block 306, the method 300 includes the step of notifying the bidder of the asking price for the procurement, in response to the bid being received.

At block 308, the method 300 includes showing the bid to a number of asset owners who match predetermined criteria.

At block 310, the method includes the step of the asset owner showing an offer to the bidder which is less than the initial asking price.

At block 312, the method includes the step of facilitating a trade upon acceptance of the offer price and a conventional e-commerce transaction is concluded.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . An asset procurement system operable to interpret one or more human commands, the system including: a means of receiving a bid for procurement of said asset from a first bidder; a means of identifying one or more offers from one or more asset owners, wherein said one or more offers meet predetermined criteria; a means of maintaining a record of all available bids and offers received from said bidder and/or said asset owner; and a means of facilitating an agreement between said bidder and said asset owner.

2. An asset procurement system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said system includes a means of facilitating an agreement between said bidder and one more additional asset owners, in response to an agreement between said bidder and said first asset owner not being established.

3. An asset procurement system as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said system applies to the rental of an asset.

4. An asset procurement system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said system applies to the purchasing or acquisition of an asset.

5. An asset procurement system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said means of identifying one or more offers includes a means of identifying a historic offer which may meet the predetermined criteria.

6. An asset procurement system, as claimed in claim 5, wherein said system includes a means of providing said historic offer to said bidder.

7. An asset procurement system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said means of facilitating an agreement between said bidder and said asset owner includes a means of enabling a bidder to secure procurement of said asset at the asset owner’s asking price for said procurement.

8. An asset procurement system as claimed in claim 7, wherein in response to said bid being placed in said record, said system includes a means of showing said bid to multiple additional asset owners identified by said system.

9. An asset procurement system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said means of facilitating an agreement between said bidder and said asset owner includes a means for any one of said one or more additional asset owners to respond to said bid with an offer.

10. An asset procurement system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said system includes a means of disabling said means for securing procurement of said asset at the owner’s asking price in response to a bid being received which exceeds a predetermined fraction of the offer price and one more additional, pre-determined criteria having been met in respect of the currently executing trade.

1 1 . An asset procurement system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said means of facilitating an agreement between said bidder and said asset owner includes said asset owner providing an offer for procurement of said asset to said bidder which is below their initial asking price.

12. An asset procurement system as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein said bidder may elect to trade at said offer price, improve their current bid by showing a higher bid, or repeat their current bid.

13. An asset procurement system as claimed in claim 12, wherein an improvement of said initial bid will be limited to an increase of a predetermined fixed scale amount of the initial bid amount.

14. An asset procurement system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein in response to said bidder agreeing to trade at the offer price, a trade will be facilitated between said bidder and said asset owner.

15. An asset procurement system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein in response to said bidder increasing their bid then the asset owner may agree to trade at the improved bid price, repeat their current offer or improve their current offer.

16. An asset procurement system as claimed in claim 15, wherein If the offer is repeated then the bidder may again elect to agree to trade at the offer price, improve their current bid by showing a higher bid or repeat their current bid.

17. An asset procurement system as claimed in claim 16, wherein If the bid is repeated, the above process executes again.

18. An asset procurement system as claimed in claim 17, wherein in response to a bid being repeated and the market becoming stuck, the asset owner and the bidder may elect to withdraw their interest.

19. An asset procurement system as claimed in claim 18, wherein in the event that the market is stuck, the system will enable one or more additional asset owners which have offers with similar criteria to the original offer, to make an offer.

20. An asset procurement system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein in response to a trade being facilitated, said system will include a means of notifying said bidder and asset owner involved in the trade that a trade had been facilitated and taking said bidder and said asset owner to a next stage of the process.

21 . An asset procurement system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said system will include a conventional electronic commerce functionality.

22. An asset procurement system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said system includes a means of calculating a mid-price, based on a number of financial variables relevant to the currently executing trade, including the price of the vehicles being rented on the system.

23. An asset procurement system as claimed in claim 22, wherein in response to a trade being facilitated at a price which is below the mid-price for the vehicle, said system will include means of notifying one or more predetermined bidders of said trade.

24. An asset procurement system as claimed in claim 23, wherein in response to a trade being facilitated at a price which is above the mid-price for the vehicle, said system will include a means of notifying one or more predetermined asset owners of said trade.

25. An asset procurement system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said system includes a means of selecting one or more dates and/or times during which the bidder is looking to lease the asset.

26. An asset procurement system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said system is operable to display assets which are available for procurement during the specified times/dates.

27. An asset procurement system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said system includes a means of classifying said asset based on the intrinsic or perceived value of the asset for procurement purposes including the manufacturer, type and model of the asset (if applicable).

28. An asset procurement system as claimed in claim 27, wherein said asset may be classified as either a basic, standard or premium asset.

29. An asset procurement system as claimed in claim 28, wherein said system includes a means for said bidder to select a category of asset which they are interested in leasing along with their initial offer for procurement of said asset.

30. An asset procurement system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said system includes a means of displaying one or more assets included in the specified class of assets for selection by said bidder.

31. An asset procurement system as claimed in claim 30, wherein said bidder is operable to select multiple classes of assets and/or multiple assets, for procurement.

32. An asset procurement system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said asset is provided in the form of a motor vehicle.

33. An asset procurement system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said motor vehicle is provided in the example form of a privately-owned motor vehicle.

34. An asset procurement system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said motor vehicle is provided in the example form of a commercially owned or commercially operated vehicle.

35. An asset procurement system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said motor vehicle is provided in the form of a leased or partly-owned (shared) motor vehicle.

36. An asset procurement system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said asset is provided in the form of procurement accommodation.

37. An asset procurement system as claimed in claim 36, wherein said procurement accommodation is provided in the example form of the whole or a portion (such as one or more rooms) of a privately-owned property.

38. An asset procurement system as claimed in claim 36, wherein said procurement accommodation is provided in the example form of commercially owned or commercially operated property.

39. A method of managing the procurement of an asset, said method including one or more of the following steps: receiving a bid for procurement of said asset from a first bidder; identifying one or more offers from one or more asset owners, wherein said one or more offers meet predetermined criteria; maintaining a record of all available bids and offers received from said bidder and/or said asset owner; and facilitating an agreement between said bidder and said first asset owner.