US20110145157A1 - Method And System For Receiving And Providing Access To Information At A Web Site - Google Patents

Abstract

At a vendor-managed web site, purchasing information is received from a first terminal, including purchasing information that is customized for a customer. The customer includes first and second users having respective first and second levels of authorized access to the purchasing information. The first user is identified by a first identifier, and the second user is identified by a second identifier. To a second terminal, access at the vendor-managed web site is provided to: only a first portion of the purchasing information in response to receiving the first identifier from the second terminal which identifies the first user; and at least a second portion of the purchasing information in response to receiving the second identifier from the second terminal which identifies the second user. The second portion includes at least a part of the first portion and a third portion of the purchasing information. The part of the first portion includes at least a portion of the customized purchasing information.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a divisional of and claims priority to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/837,889 filed Jul. 16, 2010 (our docket no. 16356.1229), which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 7,779,125, issued Aug. 17, 2010 (our docket no. 16356.1112), which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 7,389,331, issued Jun. 17, 2008 (our docket no. 16356.913), which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,883,022 issued on Apr. 19, 2005 (our docket no. 16356.829), which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,365, issued on Feb. 17, 2004 (our docket no. 16356.522), which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,597, issued on Mar. 14, 2000 (our docket no. 16356.290), all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
• The disclosures herein relate generally to information systems and more particularly to receiving and providing access to information at a web site.
• Various systems have been developed whereby data and information can be accessed by a remote provider and a remote user. In one such system, a remote access server provides a remote user with access to a local computer network. The server receives a user identification string from its communication port, the string having been entered by the remote user at a remote computer which is coupled to the communication port. The string identifies the remote user. The server uses the string to access a database and determine an Internet protocol (IP) address associated with the string. The remote computer needs the IP address to communicate on the local computer network. The database includes a user identification string for each remote user and an IP address for each string. The remote access server sends the IP address to the remote computer via the communication port. The server then allows the remote computer to access the local computer network and to communicate on the local computer network using the IP address.
• Another system is a multitask multiuser system which provides for efficient transfer of data from a remote data base to individual subscribers and has particular utility in the distribution of stock market data. A primary provider distributes the incoming data directly to user tasks or to an inquiry provider or a monitor provider. The inquiry provider responds to specific inquiries by users for information in the data base. The monitor provider maintains lists of information which are being monitored by the host computer for individual users. The inquiry provider and the monitor provider do not repeat requests to the remote data base where a similar request is already pending from another user. Data transfer paths between tasks are established by a code module which may be linked to any of the tasks. The transfer paths are established using information from a configuration list and they are monitored by the operating system through a wait list established for each user task. Providers in the system may establish subscriber lists through the code module.
• In another application, an authorization mechanism provides authorization information for a client requesting access to a server resource in a server, having a directory server for storing client information required by the server in executing an operation call, including client access rights, and generating a request for an authorization ticket to the server. The request for an authorization ticket includes an identification of the client and an identification of the client information required by the server and is in association with an operation call. The authorization mechanism generates an authorization ticket including the identified information encrypted with an encryption key derived from the password of the server. The authorization ticket is sent to the server and the server decrypts the authorization ticket with the server password and obtains the client information directly including the client access rights. Client information is stored in directory server fields identified by generic field tags. The authorization ticket request identifies client information by tag names identifying the fields, the requested information is stored in the authorization ticket in fields identified by the tag names, and the server mechanism then reads the client information.
• A further application includes a first data processing device (node I) coupled to a first private network and to a firewall server (FWA). Firewall server FWA is in turn coupled to a public network, such as the Internet. A second data processing device (node J) is coupled to a second private network which is coupled to the Internet through a firewall server (FWB). Node I provides a data packet including IP data and a destination address for the intended receiving node J to firewall FWA. Firewall FWA is provided with a secret value and a public value. The firewall FWA obtains a Diffie-Hellman (DH) certificate for firewall FWB and determines the public value from the DH certificate. A transient key is randomly generated and is used to encrypt the data packet to be transmitted by firewall FWA to firewall FWB. The encrypted data packet is then encapsulated in a transmission packet by the firewall FWA. The transmission packet includes an unencrypted destination address for the firewall FWB. Firewall FWA then sends the transmission packet to firewall FWB over the Internet. Upon receipt of the transmission packet from firewall FWA, firewall FWB obtains a DH certificate for firewall FWA and determines the public value from the DH certificate. Firewall FWB decrypts the encrypted data packet received from FWA, thereby resulting in the recovery of the original data sent by node I in unencrypted form to the firewall FWA. The firewall FWB then transmits the decrypted data packet to the receiving node J over the second private network.
• Purchasing is a major component of the operation of a business. It involves establishing authorized vendor sources, seeking first time or unusual vendor sources and maintaining vendor relationships. Typically, as strong relationships build and as quantity buying develops, purchasing power can increase and purchasing costs can decrease. A major part of repetitive purchasing is based on purchasing history, i.e. what has been purchased in the past, what options are desired, and what options are available.
• An important aspect of repetitive purchasing is the accessibility of purchasing history. A purchaser can maintain records as well as a vendor but this will most likely only reveal what has been purchased in the past. A customer may need to know about available options for anticipated purchases and a vendor may have modified or new products which are of interest to the customer. This can be accomplished by repeated direct contact between purchasing department personnel and vendor sales and accounting or other personnel. Such contact may be accomplished by numerous telephone calls to several sources at the vendor's site.
• Information gathered by the purchaser from the vendor then needs to be communicated by purchasing personnel to the person(s) within the organization who requested the information. Additional phone calls and/or meetings may be required before a decision can be made for a definitive purchase. The purchasing agent must then negotiate the best price based on many factors including the nature of the item and the quantity desired.
• Accordingly, a need has arisen for a method and system for receiving and providing access to information at a web site, in which various shortcomings of previous techniques are overcome.
SUMMARY
• According to one embodiment, at a vendor-managed web site, purchasing information is received from a first terminal, including purchasing information that is customized for a customer. The customer includes first and second users having respective first and second levels of authorized access to the purchasing information. The first user is identified by a first identifier, and the second user is identified by a second identifier. To a second terminal, access at the vendor-managed web site is provided to: only a first portion of the purchasing information in response to receiving the first identifier from the second terminal which identifies the first user; and at least a second portion of the purchasing information in response to receiving the second identifier from the second terminal which identifies the second user. The second portion includes at least a part of the first portion and a third portion of the purchasing information. The part of the first portion includes at least a portion of the customized purchasing information.
• A principal advantage of this embodiment is that various shortcomings of previous techniques are overcome.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
• FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an embodiment of a network.
• FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an embodiment of a web site.
• FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an embodiment of a team area of the web page.
• FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an embodiment of a store area of the web page.
• FIG. 5 is diagrammatic view illustrating an embodiment of a service area of the web page.
• FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an embodiment of a secure area of the web page.
• FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an embodiment of a multi-access area of the web page.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• A network10,FIG. 1 includes aweb site12 having a web page or several pages coupled to afirst user point14 and asecond user point16. Thefirst user point14 as used in this context is any terminal on a private network used by a site provider to input managed information to theweb site12. Thesecond user point16 as used in this context is any terminal used by a site user via the Internet to access all or part of the managed information at theweb site12.
• The site provider atfirst user point14, writes to a series of Internet tools, diagrammatically illustrated at15, and publishes to aninternal copy17 of theweb site12 for pre-production purposes. Ultimately, the site provider publishes to theweb site12. The site user atsecond user point16 has access toweb site12 and can also communicate directly via alink19 with the site provider atfirst user point14 via, for example, e-mail for the purpose of submitting orders for goods offered for sale at theweb site12. Additionally, the site provider directly accesses theweb site12 for maintenance purposes, e.g. to access theweb site12 to monitor traffic to the site and the quality of the site.
• Web site12 includes a web page orpages18,FIG. 2 including customized information to provide customers atsecond user point16 with an easier way of doing business with a site provider atfirst user point14.Web page18 resides on theweb site12 behind an unlisted universal resource locator (URL). Users atsecond user point16 are provided with user ID's and user passwords for accessing theweb page18.
• Web page18 features auser logo area20 and a menu bar selection including aprovider team area22, astore area24, a service andsupport area26, asecure area28, asite information area30, abrowse area32, amulti-access area34 and a non-disclosure agreement (NDA)area36. Theweb page18 information listed above in the various areas are maintained current by the site provider by multiple daily updates.
• User logo area20 includes, with the user's permission, a graphical representation of the logo of the user organization. If the user does not have a logo or does not wish for the logo to be used, the user organizations name may be used in text format.
• Team area22,FIG. 3 includes names, addresses, phone and fax numbers, e-mail links and titles of provider team members and a support category into which each team member is classified, e.g. sales, customer service, etc. Data listed in the team area can be changed with add-ons and updates in order to be maintained current. Other information can be provided if desired.
• Store area24,FIG. 4 provides links to userstandard system configurations24aincluding pricing information and the ability to submit online orders; links to adiscount store24bfor additional product information; and links tomultiple order status24cwhich permits the user to view status and shipping details of open orders. It is also possible to receive shipment e-mail notification automatically, if desired so that the user is prompted when an order is shipped. Store information may include a system category, title, a quote member, a price and a list of options. The store information may be modified by the site provider such as by adding a system category, changing a standard configuration, or changing other data included in the store information.
• The service andsupport information area26,FIG. 5 features system service tags (SST)26awhich utilizes a five (5) digit system identifier located on a sticker with a bar code on each product. The SST can be entered and information specific to the user's system will be provided. When the SST is entered, an express service code (ESC)26bwhich is a unique numeric code, is generated for a user when the user enters the SST at the web site. This will avoid call transfers and menu options so that the user is routed directly to a specialist at the provider site who will provide help with the user system. Afile library26cfunctions as a repository of downloads, BIOS updates drivers and utilities for the user system. This allows the user to keep their system up-to-date at their convenience. These files may be grouped by system, file type, name and date posted. Anorder status function26dprovides current status of individual or multiple orders. Provider staff members can retrieve order, production and ship dates directly from an internal order management system in real time.
• Thesecure area28,FIG. 6 includes anaccount team roster28aand purchasing reports28b.The account team roster includes pager links and allows direct user contact with account team provider members. There are four (4) different purchasing reports which are provided and regularly updated. Each report is viewable online or available for download in several formats. An order status anddelivery report28cshows the user detailed information on all orders from pending production status to invoiced status. An order detail byenterprise28dreport shows the detailed information on the units shipped and amount spent by product category for orders invoiced during a month. A summary byenterprise report28eshows total units and spending by product category for the order invoiced during a month. Finally, a summary by location report28fshows total units and spending by product category for each location in the user organization and includes only orders invoiced during a month.
• Theinformation area30 includes links to the web site home and tips on how to use the web site as well as a feedback form to permit the user to submit ideas to the provider concerning how to improve the web site.
• Thebrowse area32 provides easy access to the provider home page as well as to select links on the web site which may be of interest to the user.
• Themulti-access area34,FIG. 7 has at least two (2) levels of access, each of which is associated with the user ID and password mentioned above. One access area is referred to as a general access user ID andpassword area34aand allows users to see everything at the web site except for thesecure area28. The other access area is referred to as a managed access user ID andpassword area34band allows users to see everything at the site including thesecure area28. The managed area may, if desired, be subdivided into multi-level access areas so that a first level managed access user ID and password allows users to see everything at the web site including afirst portion34cof thesecure area28 and a second level managed access user ID and password allows users to see everything at the web site including the first and asecond portion34c,34d,respectively, of thesecure area28. Provider team members contact appropriate personnel at the user organization and provide the URL and multi-level ID's and passwords as required for user access to theweb site12. An intranet manager at the user organization can add a link from thesecond user point16 to theweb site12 and post the general user ID and password next to the link forweb site12. This will permit anyone at thesecond user point16 to access theweb site12 instead of having to recall a URL, user ID and password. The user organization will be responsible for designating appropriate people at the user organization to have the managed user ID and password usually reserved for a select group of users which may be defined by job description, rank, title, etc.
• Theonline NDA36 is provided each time a user visitsweb site12 for the first time. After entering the URL for theorganization web page18, the user will be prompted to view and accept theonline NDA36. Once theNDA36 is accepted, the user's hard drive at the terminal being used will function so as not to prompt that particular user with theNDA36 again. However, each time a user accesses theorganization web page18 from a different terminal atsecond user point16 for the first time, the user will be prompted to accept theNDA36, and upon accepting, the terminal being used will function so as not to prompt that particular user with theNDA36 again.
• As it can be seen, the principal advantages of this embodiment are that the web site provides information which is continuously updated by the provider and makes business purchases easier to initiate, manage and control for both the organization user/buyer and the provider/seller and reduces purchasing and maintenance costs for both user and provider. In addition, direct relationships between user and provider are enhanced and supported from pre-sales to post-sales. The provider is able to off-load tasks such as order quoting and order status from the sales staff so that they can spend more time selling product. The user is encouraged to do more transactions and information gathering online which is more efficient. A competitive advantage to the provider is that the user can conduct business with the provider in an easier, more cost efficient manner. User satisfaction and loyalty is enhanced and new users are attracted to this mode of purchasing from the provider.
• Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims (8)

1. A method for providing customer service and support, comprising:

receiving, at a first user point from a website, a customer system identifier from a customer at the second user Internet point;

determining at least one software update that is specific to the customer system using the customer system identifier; and

providing, to the second user Internet point from the website, the at least one software update.

2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the customer system identifier is located on a sticker on a customer system.

3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the sticker includes a bar code.

4. The method of1, wherein the at least one software update comprises a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) update.

5. The method of1, wherein the at least one software update comprises a driver update.

6. The method of1, wherein the at least one software update comprises a utilities update.

7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein in response to receiving the customer system identifier, the method further comprises:

providing a specialist at the first user point to provide help with a customer system that is associated with the customer system identifier.

8. The method ofclaim 7, where the providing the specialist comprises generating a service code in response to receiving the customer system identifier, and using the service code to provide the specialist.

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