Patent Application
20100131327
The present invention relates generally to a function of collaboration, communication and interaction based on computer network platform, and more particularly to a method and system designed for an Internet-based trust-based business community of suppliers and buyers to conduct collaborative activities.
With the trend of globalization and development of advanced Web technologies, Internet applications evolve from information sharing, transaction-based e-commerce to community-based collaborative applications. However, most community-based platforms are shaped for social network (i.e. Facebook and MySpace) rather than business-to-business collaborations. Those social network-based platforms are not intended to form trusted communities where members are responsible and liable for their actions and behaviors, and therefore those platforms are often unsuitable for important business activities.
In view of the operating modes of the enterprises, e-commerce is categorized into business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C). Most B2B e-commerce applications deliver the functions of sharing information and conducting transactions either through direct message exchange, such as RosettaNet (i.e. B2B Integration) or exchange hubs (i.e. e-marketplace or exchange). The applications of B2B collaboration or supply chain collaboration further enable upstream, midstream and downstream businesses to collaborate as an integrated supply chain. The approach has been proven as an effective way for enterprises to utilize supply chain resources and maximize supply chain performance, in order to improve their corporate competitiveness. However, most current B2B collaboration applications are operated in a closed environment and adopt only proprietary processes, thus leading to non-scalable and inflexible collaborative relationships and operations with business community partners. Community-based platforms are incorporated to move towards e-commerce in a collaborative manner, so as to utilize effectively the business resources and optimize the business performance. Hence, the relevant industry operators shall make efforts to learn how to optimize the application of e-commerce in the businesses.
Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement if the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve the efficacy.
Therefore, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products.
The collaborative business method and implementation system of the present invention is intended for the application of trust-based business community under a computer network (e.g. Internet and Web). The method and system enable to create a trustworthy business community for a Business Persons (BP) who works as a specific role for a specific corporation, and establish a trustful partner through legally-binding invitation process.
The collaborative business method and implementation system enables a Business Persons (BP) to create a collaborative activity and invite some partners to participate it in a trust-based business community. Through the collaborative activity, the participants can attend various business activities and reach their business objectives.
One of key applications for this method and system is intended for Collaborative Sourcing and Product Development, which helps a buyer to source and develop products with multiple suppliers in a single process, wherein some suppliers may be competing with each other and some are collaborating with each others.
This method and system provide a collaborative method, of which the system serves as a platform for implementation of the model and a method for implementation of the platform.
In sum, the present invention is designed to provide an improved structure and method of expected performance, novelty and applicability; for the purpose of deeper understanding of the aforementioned purposes, technical means and efficacies, the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The present invention includes a method based on a Trust-Based Business Community (TBC) model, and a system that implements the method.
This invention assumes trust relationships (1) legally enforceable and (2) trustworthy to each other (i.e. “A trusts B” implies “B trusts A”). In the business world, such assumptions are true and any distrusted behaviors may result in serious legal penalty.
The invented method is designed for corporate users to conduct business with partners in a trust environment. Trust-Based Business Community (TBC) model is defined as follows:
Besides the invitation process, the key mechanism that delivers a collaborative and competitive real-world scenario is the refinement of participating modes. The Creator of a Collaborative Activity can specify the participating mode for the participant once the invitation has been accepted. There are two participating modes: Shared and Exclusive. A Shared participant knows the existence of all participants (both Shared and Exclusive) and is able to see all the actions or data issued from all participants (both Shared and Exclusive). An Exclusive participant knows the existence of only Shared participants and is able to see the actions or data only from Shared participants. An Exclusive participant does not know the existence of any other Exclusive participant, and is not able to see actions or data from any other Exclusive participant. The interaction of participants is shown in the table below.
One of the applications for this method and system is Collaborative Sourcing and Product Development. Using this method and system, a buyer can conduct sourcing and product development as a single task with multiple suppliers. A buyer can create his/her trust-based business community by inviting his/her trusted suppliers to the community. Whenever he/she desires to source and develop products from several suppliers, he/she creates a Collaborative Activity and invites several potential suppliers to participate in. When the suppliers invited to an activity are competitive to each others, they are invited as Exclusive mode participant. Referring to
Platform API 10 delivers a communication protocol interface among Partner Module 12, Activity Module 13, Conversation Module 14, Post-it Module 15 and Collaborative Application Module 11.
Partner Module 12 is responsible for creation of business partners, management of business partners' information and other invited business partners/or message management of business partners.
Activity Module 13 is responsible for creating and managing the business activities, participating in the business activities created by other business persons (BP), searching/screening the business activities and/or viewing historical message related to the business activities.
Conversation Module 14 is responsible for real-time message communication among business persons (BP) when participating in the collaborative business activities.
Of which, the Partner Module 12, Activity Module 13 and Conversation Module 14 further comprise a platform database 101, allowing for data access by Partner Module 12, Activity Module 13 and Conversation Module 14.
Post-it Module 15 is responsible for implementing the notes and remarks during collaborative application. It further comprises Post-it database 151, allowing for data access by Post-it Module 15.
The Collaborative Application Product Module 11 may, via the help of Internet or Intranet, conduct data transmission and access between Platform API 10 and Partner Module 12, Activity Module 13, Conversation Module 14 and Post-it Module 15 while serving as the communication protocol interface. The rule of proposed product development is preset by the Collaborative Application Product Module 11, and a business client is delivered to set the business applications of business logic depending on business demands. Furthermore, it comprises a CAP Database 111, allowing for data access among Collaborative Application Product Modules 11.
The Collaborative Application Product Module 11 further comprises ebXML Registry 112, which delivers an interface to Business Persons (BP) for integrating their own data when participating in the collaborative business applications.
This system is also responsible for sending information to the business client by an e-mail through a mail server 16.
Referring to FIG. 2—another preferred embodiment of the system of the present invention, the business client can access to the collaborative business system through Internet Explorer by any electronic device 20 or equipment, such as: desktop computer, notebook computer, PDA and mobile phone, etc, whichever can linked to the Internet.
The method and system of the present invention refer to a graphical and literal windowing operational interface or a combined operational interface. When the business client accesses to the collaborative business system through Internet Explorer, the first thing is to obtain a group of account and password, of which the account allows to set an email address, but not limited to an email address; the password may be composed of English letters and figures. From the very beginning, the system provides the registry mode of business behaviors conducted by the business individuals, persons and personal studios as well as the registry mode of corporation account; referring to
If the business client Creates Business Persons (BP) 30 by the registry mode of corporation account, the corporation account allows to manage the business individuals and BP according to the operational interface delivered by the Partner Module 12, including but not limited to: setting of authority, agency of business individuals, deletion and replacement, etc.
If the business client Creates Business Persons (BP) 30 by the registry mode of business behaviors of business individuals, persons and personal studios, it is possible to manage the personal information according to the operational interface delivered by the Partner Module 12, including but not limited to: revision of information.
Referring to
Start 40: select start or entry button, the system will open another account and password entry window;
Enter account and password 41: enter account and password in the window opened by the preceding step;
Login 42: after entering the account and password, select login button;
Confirm account and password 43: judge the account and password through the system's Partner Module 12; the error of password corresponding to the account may be caused by two conditions: entry negligence(upper and lower cases of English letters not switched, or keying error): in such case, re-enter in the password field and then select login button; password omission 44: select password omission button in the original window, then the system feeds back 45 the password of corresponding account to the email box registered by the business client, so as to obtain the correct password;
Confirm Company Name 46: after entering correctly the aforementioned account and password, the system will open a company name confirmation window for selection by the business client; if the business client has resigned from original company, or original company has changed its name, select “No” button, then the window is switched to the webpage of Modify/Change Company Name 47, and provides the business client with “modification” and “change” options. Meanwhile, the window provides a field for entering new company name by the business client, who may select “submission” button after completion of entry, and then log into the window generated by the next step; if the business client is still at original company, select “Yes” button and then log into the window generated by the next step;
Partner 48/activity 49: log into this window after completion of aforementioned steps; the Partner Module 12 of system in the window manages the “partner” and provides the window interface, whilst the Activity Module 13 manages “activity” and provides the window interface; the window provides the switching function for the business client to select freely the “partner” or “activity” interface.
Referring to
Invite 481: if selecting this button, the system will open a new window by the Partner Module 12, wherein the window interface include but not limited to the following functions: name of the invitee, company name, input of email box field, search of registered company name, input/invite buttons of inviter's self-description field; users can invite the other party if selecting Invite button after completion of entry; and, the system will send a message to the invitee, and confirm if the invitation is successful after the invitee gives a feedback for acceptance or refusal; if the invitee accepts the invitation, he/she will become a business partner of the inviter; otherwise it indicates the invitee is not intended to become a business partner of the inviter;
Uninvite 482: select the invited business partner from the Partner 48 window interface, click Uninvite button to remove the partner from the Partner 48 window through the Partner Module 12; it is imperative that the partner has not attended the activity created by the inviter before being uninvited, or has been removed from the list of attendee by the inviter;
Message 483: select the invited business partner from the Partner 48 window interface, click Message button to open another window, which includes but not limited to: subject and message fields; the business client can write subject and the message to be told, and then click Notify button, so the message can be sent to the business partner via mail server 16 by the Partner Module 12;
Search 485: the business client clicks Search button in the Partner 48 window interface to open another window, which is available with an entry field for entering the field or character string to be searched; at the same time, it provides the settings of search conditions, including but not limited to nickname, company, last name, first name and Boolean operation(and, or, not); the system enables the Partner Module 12 to implement these functions, helping the search of many invited business partners in the Partner 48 window;
Event and Message 486: in the Partner 48 window interface, the business client receives the sent messages, or some procedures implemented by the business client, e.g.: creation of activity or invitation of the partner, etc; then, the Post-it Module 15 is responsible for implementing the notes and remarks, and then reminding of having received new events or messages; the business client can open another window by clicking Event and Message button; the window includes but not limited to: event interface and message interface, so the business client can select to view the event interface, which provides the settings of screening conditions, including but not limited to: all, notify, receive, accept, reject, invite, uninvite, update, update company, overdue, create, participate, un-participate, commit and/or abort, which are intended to shorten the time of viewing events and displaying the events of the same conditions. The displayed field includes but not limited to: mark field, time of event, type of event (e.g. conditions set as mentioned before)and/or information(description of event); after viewing the new events, the business client may remove the mark of new event by clicking “mark as done” button; furthermore, the business client may select to view the message interface, which provides the settings of sequence including but not limited to: time, sender and/or subject; at the same time, the field displayed on the interface includes but not limited to: mark field, time of message, sender, subject and/or information(description of messages); the business client can then click the subject to open another window displaying the details of the message; after viewing the details, the business client may close the window by clicking “Close” button, or cancel this message by clicking “Cancel” button;
Information 487: the Partner 48 window interface provides the functions of viewing the information of the business client and successfully invited business partner; the business client may click Information button or click the photos in the display field uploaded by the partner, then the system function is implemented by the Partner Module 12, allowing to view the details; another window will be opened after clicking; this window includes several options but not limited to: information, personal, company and/or note; of which, the “information” display and input include but not limited to: e-mail and account, company name, user name, job title, time zone, set password and/or upload photos; the “personal” display and input include but not limited to: contact number, address, city, state and country; the “company” display and input include but not limited to: department, contact number, fax number, address, city, state and country; the “note” display and input include the description field; after completion of entering, modification or setting of the aforementioned fields, save new setting by clicking “Save” button on the window, or cancel this window by clicking “Cancel” button. The information of business partner is only for viewing, but cannot be written or modified, and the password is hidden;
Partner View 488: the Partner 48 window interface provides the business client with the functions of selecting partner view; then the system function is implemented by the Partner Module 12, namely, the photos uploaded by the business partner will be sequenced on top priority, followed by status, user name, company name, activity and channel;
Company view 489: the Partner 48 window interface provides the business client with the functions of selecting company view; the system function is implemented by the Partner Module 12, namely, the status of the business partner will be sequenced on top priority, followed by company name, user name, job title, activity and channel;
Logout 484: the Partner 48 window interface provides the business client with a function of exiting from this window by clicking logout button.
The aforementioned Partner 48 window interface includes several display fields but not limited to photo, status, user name, company name, job title, activity and/or channel.
Of which, the photo field displays the photos uploaded by the business partner; the status displays the invited status of business partner—off-line or on-line status; the user name, company name and job title fields display the real name of business partner, real company name and actual job title; the activity field displays the business activity created by the business partner; and the channel field shows if the business partner provides Internet telephone(skype).
Referring to
Create 491: if clicking Create button in the Activity 49 window interface, a business activity could be established through the Activity Module 13 of the system, with the details of the business activity described in the subsequent paragraphs;
Search Activity 493: the business client can open another window if clicking Search button in the Activity 49 window interface; this window provides an entry field for entering the character or character string of the activity to be searched; the system enables the Activity Module 13 to implement this function, helping the search of business activities created in the Activity 49 window; the business activity is shown as created by the business client, inviter and/or invitee;
Activity Log 494: in the Activity 49 window interface, the business client receives the sent messages, or some procedures implemented by the business client, e.g.: requiring the partner to participate in the created business activity or cancelling the partner to participate in the created business activity, or the partner is invited by the remote inviter to participate in the created business activity as well as creation of activity, etc; the Activity Module 13 of the system is responsible for implementing this function, and then reminding of having received new logs or messages, so the business client can open another window by clicking the Activity Log button; this window includes but not limited to: history interface and commit/abort interface; the business client may select to view the history interface, which provides the setting of the screening conditions, including but not limited to: all, create, participate, un-participate, request, block, replacement and remove, which are intended to shorten the time of viewing history events and displaying the history events of the same conditions. The displayed field includes but not limited to: mark field, time of history event, type of log (e.g. conditions set as mentioned before)and/or information(description of log); after viewing the new history log, the business client may remove the mark of new log by clicking “mark as done” button; furthermore, the business client may select to view the commit/abort interface, which provides the settings of sequence including but not limited to: all, status, activity, creator and type; at the same time, the field displayed on the interface includes but not limited to: mark field, time, name of activity, creator, company and/or type; after viewing the logs of new commit or abort, the business client may remove the mark of new log by clicking “mark as read” button;
Information 495: the Activity 49 window interface provides the functions of viewing the information of the business client and the business partner in the business activity; the business client may click Information button or click the pull-down key to display the photos in the field uploaded by the business partner; then the system function is implemented by the Partner Module 12, allowing to view the details; another window will be opened after clicking; this window includes several options but not limited to: information, personal, company and/or note; of which, the “information” display and input include but not limited to: e-mail and account, company name, user name, job title, time zone, set password and/or upload photos; the “personal” display and input include but not limited to: contact number, address, city, state and country; the “company” display and input include but not limited to: department, contact number, fax number, address, city, state and country; the “note” display and input include the description field; after completion of entering, modification or setting of the aforementioned fields, save new setting by clicking “Save” button on the window, or cancel this window by clicking “Cancel” button. The information of business partner is only for viewing, but cannot be written or modified, and the password is hidden;
Logout 492: the Activity 49 window interface provides the business client with a function of exiting from this window by clicking logout button.
The aforementioned Activity 49 window interface includes several display fields but not limited to mark field, pull-down key, representative photo of the activity, activity name, option button of “acceptance” and “refusal” (this is implemented by the system and displayed only when the business client is invited by the remote inviter to participate in the created activity), type of activity, etc; while the created business activity will be displayed in the field.
Of which, the mark field can be divided into the activity mark created by the business client, blocked activity mark, activity mark created by the inviter and invitee.
The blocked activity mark is generated owing to the fact that the business activity participated or created by original company is blocked due to the change of business client's company name; if the company name is modified during login, the business activity created or participated will not be blocked.
The business client may view the participants (including the business partner and business client) of this business activity by clicking the pull-down key specific to the business activity; the field of participants displays the photos uploaded by the business partner, off-line or on-life status of business partner, business partner name and/or company name.
Referring to
Generate product phase 51: the setting in this phase includes but not limited to: set the program name, type, icon, product name, description, attachment and/or category;
Set up component and attribute 52: the setting in this phase includes but not limited to: set the components of product and their attributes, which have different definitions due to the product category, for example, the components of clothes comprise yarn, thread, cloth, molding, pressing, sewing, weaving methods, styles and customers;
Set up material and specification 53: the setting in this phase includes but not limited to: set the materials for the components of product and their attributes, and set the specification and/or manufacturing process, which have different definitions due to the product category, for example, the components of clothes comprise the type, size and material of yarn, thread and cloth, as well as molding, pressing, sewing, weaving methods and setting of styles;
Set up variation 54: the setting in this phase includes but not limited to: set the changing styles, sizes and colors of products, etc, which have different definitions due to the product category, for example, the styles of male, female or neutral style; big, medium and small sizes, or the quantified size; and the colors divided by universal color cards;
Set up pack detail 55: the setting in this phase includes but not limited to: description of instruction, mode of payment, type of currency, shipping mode, delivery date, contrast of sizes and/or setting of styles and sizes;
Invite business partner 56: the setting in this phase includes but not limited to: invite the business partner to participate in the created activity program, set the power of partners participating in this program, and set the shared or exclusive modes of partners participating in this program.
Create activity 57 is finished after the aforementioned phases are implemented gradually; during the process of Create Activity 50, Generate Product Phase 51 must be finished to provide preliminary basis for creation of business activity program, whilst the contents set in other phases may not be finished, and can be skipped over to the next phase, or even only the contents set in Generate Product Phase 51 are finished, but the business activity program is still created and displayed in the Activity 49 window interface.
Referring to
The window interface in
Of which, the Collaborative Interface 61 only permits the initiator of the business activity to set, add, modify, save 64, commit 65 and/or abort 66 the contents at various phases, as shown in
To sum up, the collaborative business methods and its implementation system of the present invention can really realize the aforementioned efficacies as disclosed in the preferred embodiments, and the patent application is not yet made publicly available, so it conforms to the requirements of novelty and applicability of utility model.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
