WO2008003131A1

WO2008003131A1 - Shopping system

Info

Publication number: WO2008003131A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/000921
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Rihma
Original assignee: Smartshopper Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-07-03
Filing date: 2007-07-03
Publication date: 2008-01-10

Abstract

A shopping system allows customers to select a product and request a quote for the best price on the product. Suppliers are notified of the request and have a set period enter a price at which they will sell the product. The customer is notified of the best price or prices provided and arranges purchase of the product from the relevant supplier.

Description

Shopping System Field of Invention

The present invention relates to purchasing goods and services and more particularly to purchasing and/or obtaining competitive prices from multiple suppliers.

Background

There are a number of web sites that provide purchasers with what are, in effect, static listings of suppliers' products and prices. These listings are typically created by use of "web bots" that "crawl" suppliers' web sites and obtain data from those web sites. The data is inherently out of date and frequently the prices, products and links provided are incorrect. As such it is difficult for purchasers to obtain a meaningful indication of actual price without following the individual links from the listing to check with each supplier if it still has the product and what is the current price.

Summary of the Invention

In one broad form the invention provides a method of obtaining quotes or tenders from multiple suppliers, the method including: a purchaser identifying, selecting or inputting data relating to at least one product or any combination thereof for which quotations are required; creating at least one request for quotation; making information relating to at least one request for quotation available to suppliers, and receiving data at least one suppliers indicative of a quote from the supplier.

In another broad form the invention also provides a system for obtaining quotes or tenders from multiple suppliers, the system including: a human interface whereby a purchaser may identify, select or input data relating to at least one product or any combination thereof for which quotations are required; means to create at least one request for quotation; means for making information relating to at least one request for quotation available to suppliers, and means for receiving data from at least one supplier indicative of a quote from the supplier. The method and system also and provide data to the purchaser based on quotations received relating to at least the or the lowest quote received.

Where two or more quotations are received the method and system may also provide data relating to quotations other than the lowest.

Preferably purchasers identify, select or input data relating to at least one product using a web based interface, but other interfaces are possible.

Preferably the request for quotations are made available on a web based interface. Suppliers may also be notified of the existence of the request for quotations by email or other means. Requests for quotations may also be sent to suppliers, preferably by email. The data that purchasers identify select or input may include quantity of items, geographic area the purchaser will purchase in, whether delivery is required and other data relevant to the purchasing decision.

Where a purchaser identifies, selects or inputs a geographic limit on where purchase will occur, the system and method may prevent suppliers outside the geographic area from providing quotes on the product(s).

Suppliers may store data relating to products. This data may include a desire to quote on specific products, types of products and brands of products.

The system and method may allow a supplier to store a lowest price that the supplier will sell a product at. The system and method may also allow a supplier to store highest price that it will sell a product at.

Where a suppler has stored a highest or lowest price for a product the system and method may automatically create a quotation for the product on behalf of the supplier when a request for quotation in respect of the product is created or when other suppliers enter a quote in relation to the request for quotation. The quotation created will be based on the highest or lowest price.

Purchasers may also group two or more products together and request quotations in relation to the group of items as a single unit, either in addition or instead of separate quotations on individual products. Suppliers may provide a single quotation for the group of products, the individual products or for various combinations of the individual items.

The data provided to purchasers after the quotation stage may include purchasing information. The purchasing information may include data to enable the purchaser to purchase the product(s) from a supplier's web site. Where the data is provided on a web page or ain an email, the data may include links to supplier web site(s). The data may include the purchase price quoted by the supplier and other data as required by the supplier, such as an authorisation code.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the system according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a simplified database schema of the database of the embodiment of figure 1. Figure 3 is a simplified flow diagram of the quotation process of the invention.

Figure 4 is a view of a web page where a purchaser initially selects broad categories of goods or services.

Figure 5 is a view of a web page where a purchaser selects a product to be quoted upon. Figure 6 is a view of a web page where a supplier may view quotation history for a requested product.

Figure 7 is a view of a web page where a supplier enters a quote for the product.

Figure 7 is a view of a web page of a second example of the invention where a purchaser initially selects broad categories of goods or services.

Figure 8 is a view of a web page of the second example where a purchaser selects a product to be quoted upon.

Figure 9 is a view of a web page of the second example where a purchaser selects geographic locations of suppliers. Figure 10 is a view of a web page of the second example where a purchaser selects a various parameters relating to the product to be quoted upon. - A -

Figure 11 is a view of a web page of the second example where a purchaser views the status of a request for quotation.

Figure 12 is a view of a web page where a supplier may review and input a quotation. Figure 13 is a view of a web page of the second example where a supplier may view the status of a particular quotation.

Figure 14 is a view of a web page of the second example where a supplier may view a summary of current requests for quotation.

Figure 15 is a view of a web page of the second example where a purchaser can view the results of quotations supplier in response to a request for quotation.

Detailed Description of Preferred and other Embodiments

Referring to the figures 1 to 7, according to a first embodiment of the invention there is provided a computer system 10 to allow purchasers 12 to obtain real time quotes for products from multiple suppliers 14 rather than using static listings. The computer system 10 is provided with a database 16. The database is accessible to authorised users, usually via a web page 18 accessed via a web browser. Examples of such browsers include Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozzila Firefox. Details of each authorised user are stored in the database. Whilst the database 16 is shown as a single database, it may be include separate databases. For example, one database may store user information and another database may store product information.

Authorised users include prospective purchasers 12 (herein after purchasers) and the suppliers 14 and administrators 20. The system is preferably configured to allow purchasers 12 to register on the database 16 via the web site 18 after supplying information required without intervention by the owner or administrators 20 of the database 16. In the preferred embodiment suppliers 14 are charged for access to the system and so authentication and payment is usually required before a new supplier may access the system. Of course, by providing credit card or bank account details, online registration is possible.

The database 16 includes a list of products and services 22 (hereinafter referred to as products) available. The data associated with each product preferably includes data such as manufacturer or brand 24, a broad category 26, one or more sub categories 28 as well as a product description and/or specification 30 and preferably the current recommended retail price. Thus televisions may be in a broad category of "electrical goods", and a sub category of "Televisions". The category of "Televisions" may then be further divided into subcategories of "LCD televisions", "Plasma Televisions" and "CRT Televisions".

The database also stores purchaser details 32, supplier details 34, requests for quotations 36 and actual quotations 38.

Suppliers 14 record details of which products that they are willing to quote upon. Suppliers may record that they will quote on all products in a broad category, such as "electrical goods". If desired they may record subcategories that they will or will not quote upon. Selection of individual brands and products may also be made. Selection or deselection of a category or subcategory preferably flows on to any dependent category unless explicitly overridden. Thus, for example, selection of "Electrical goods" will also result in selection of "Televisions" and its sub categories of "LCD televisions", "Plasma Televisions" and "CRT Televisions". If a supplier does not sell CRT Televisions, then the subcategory of "CRT Televisions" may be deselected.

In the preferred embodiment suppliers are not able to add new products and only the system administrators may do so. This is not critical and is to avoid duplication and or misclassification.

Referring to the flow diagram of figure 3, broadly, a purchaser 12 selects a product at 40 and causes a request for a quote to be generated at 42. Optionally suppliers are notified at 44. Suppliers enter progressively lower quotes at 46. Automatic quotes may be generated by the system, at 48. Suppliers have a set period to enter quotes and at the end of the period there is a quote history, indicated at 50. The system notifies the purchaser at 52 of the results of quotations and the purchaser contacts a supplier and arranges the purchase of the product for the quoted price, at 54.

In the preferred embodiment access to the various functions of the system is via a web site. Referring to figures 4 and 5, after registering, a purchaser wishing to obtain a quote on a product may navigate to the desired product using a variety of common navigation techniques. These may include a search function, a category tree and category, brand, sub category type selectors. In the preferred embodiment the purchaser is directed to a web page 60 having a list 62 of broad categories of products. Each item 64, 66 on the list is a hyperlink that, when clicked or activated by the purchaser, opens another web page, 68, shown in figure 5.

The web page 68 opened has the category 70 selected in the previous page and includes a locality selector 72 and selectors for: the sub category 74 of the broad category 70; brand 76; model 78, and type 80.

Other selectors may be provided. The locality selector 72 allows the purchaser to determine the geographic area that it prefers or is willing to purchase from.

The product is selected and details 82 are displayed, optionally with an image 84 of the product. Preferably the recommended retail price of the product is also displayed. The user confirms that a quote is required for that product by pressing the submit button 86. The purchaser may also specify the quantity of items required.

After selection of the product a unique entry is created in the database. This entry is linked with data relating to the product and purchaser and other any purchaser entered or selected information. This purchaser information may include quantity required, approximate location or postcode etc.

This unique quotation request record is then made available on the web page 90 for suppliers to enter quotes against, as shown in figure 6. Access to these pages is preferably limited to suppliers that have logged on. Quotations are only allowed by suppliers. This is to avoid false quotations by or on behalf of purchasers. As such it is desirable, but not critical, to fully authenticate suppliers. Purchasers may be allowed viewing privileges or prohibited totally. The data made available will identify the product 92, quantity 94 and may also identify the purchaser location 96 and purchaser username 98 but no information to explicitly identify the purchaser. Preferably the recommended retail price of the product is also displayed. A set period is provided for suppliers to enter quotes 100. This is preferably 24 hours so the quotation stage is finalised rapidly and the purchaser is not waiting a long time for a final price. Other time periods may be set. These may be more or less than 24 hours. After a first supply quote 102 has been entered, subsequent quotes 104, 106 must be lower.

A quote is entered from the quotation page 90 by clicking or activating the "Add Quote" button 108. This opens another page 110, shown in figure 7, for that particular product quotation request. Preferably the system enforces rules to ensure that the first quote entered is the same or lower than the recommended retail price if a recommended retail price has been entered for the product and that subsequent prices quoted are lower then the currently quoted price by a predetermined threshold. The threshold may vary with the currently quoted price. Thus, for example, prices under $1000.00 may need to be reduced by at least $10.00 whilst prices between $1000.00 and $5000.00 may need to be reduced by $20.00.

Accordingly, the "Add Quote" page 110 includes product and purchaser details 112, the current lowest quote 114 and the highest quote 116 allowed to be entered. The supplier enters a new quote at 118 and confirms the quote using button 120. Assuming the entered quote 118 is the same or below the highest allowed quote 116, the quote is accepted, becomes the current lowest quote and is added to the quotation history page 90. When a quote ceases to be the lowest quote for that request, preferably the relevant supplier is notified, preferably by email. Other forms of communication may be used. If desired, whenever a new quote is registered against a request for quotation, all suppliers that have registered a quote may be notified of the new quote.

At the end of the period allowed for quotes further quotations are prohibited and prevented or not allowed and the purchaser is provided with data obtained from the quotation process. This data may be details the lowest price quoted and of the relevant supplier. The data may also include a comparison of the quote obtained to the recommended retail price. The system may supply additional data. For example, the three lowest quotes from three different suppliers may be provided.

The data supplied to the purchaser may be supplied in one or more ways. The purchaser may be notified by email or SMS. The web site may provide a user accessible page with details of some or all of the quotes provided.

In the preferred embodiment the purchaser contacts a supplier independently of the web site and arranges purchase of the product directly with the supplier at the price quoted by the supplier.

To aid suppliers in being aware of requests for quotation, when a purchaser confirms a request for a quote, the system may query its database and select and inform all suppliers that have indicated a willingness to quote on the product and which meet any purchaser supplied or selected criteria.

Purchaser supplied or selected criteria may include distance of supplier from purchaser, willingness to deliver etc. Thus, for example, a purchaser of a $10,000.00 product may be willing to purchase from anywhere in a large city but may be only willing to purchase a $500.00 product from suppliers within 15 km of the purchaser.

The system preferably informs suppliers of requests for a quote via email. Preferably suppliers are sent a separate email for each request for a quote. Preferably there is a link provided in an email to the web page of each request. In addition or as an alternative each supplier may be provided with a web page listing all current requests for quotes for which they meet the selection criteria. To aid in automation of the system suppliers may also enter an "auto quote" figure against products in the database. This auto quote figure is independent of any request for quote and represents the lowest price that the particular supplier is willing to supply that product at.

When a purchaser selects a product and confirms a request for a quote the system queries its database for all suppliers meeting the selection criteria which have created an auto quote entry for the particular product.

If no auto quote entries are found no action is taken. If only one auto quote entry is found for the product, then no quote entry is automatically created for that quotation request. However, if two or more auto quote entries are found then the system takes the second lowest value and applies the relevant threshold to automatically calculate and create a quotation entry on behalf of the supplier with the lowest auto quote value.

Thus, for example, if three suppliers have entered auto quote values of $800.00, $750.00 and $700.00 then the $750.00 amount is used as a base price. The system calculates the relevant threshold based on the base price of $750.00. If the threshold is $10.00, then this subtracted from the base price of $750.00 to arrive at an auto quote entry of $740.00 on behalf of the third supplier.

If a supplier subsequently enters a new lower price the system determines if there are any lower auto quote values for that product from qualifying suppliers. If, for example, a quote of $730 is entered for the product the auto quote figure of $700.00 is still lower and a new or updated quote of $720.00 ($730.00 less the threshold of $10.00) is created. Obviously if a new quote is below the lowest auto quote for that product no action is needed. If a new quote is greater than an auto quote value by less than the relevant threshold then the threshold value is not applied in calculating the new or updated auto quote entry. Thus a quote of $705.00 will result in a new or revised auto quote entry of $700.00, not $695.00.

The process described in the paragraph above also applies if there is only one auto quote entered against a product. As mentioned, in such a case no quotation entry is initially automatically created on behalf of the supplier with the auto quote entry when the request for quotation is first created. However, as soon as a first quote is entered, the system automatically checks if this is below the auto quote value. If not it creates a quote on behalf of such a supplier that is below the entered quote. Obviously if the first quote is below the auto quote value then no action is taken.

If desired, a supplier may also enter a maximum price at which it will sell the product as well as a minimum price. If there is only one auto quote figure entered for a product and that supplier has also entered a maximum price, then the system takes the maximum price and creates an auto quote entry. This ensures that the supplier with the auto quote entry provides at least one quote for the quotation request but without immediately reducing the quote to the lowest price. The preferred embodiment of the invention provides purchasers with quotations and supplier details with the purchaser arranging purchase of the product directly with the supplier. The system may also notify the supplier of the lowest quote of the outcome. This may be by email, SMS, via the web site or any combination of these or by other methods. Unsuccessful suppliers may also be notified by the same means.

Each time a quotation is provided on a product quotation request a unique record or set of data is created. This allows integration into suppliers' online ordering systems. Once the quotation period has ended, the information supplied to the purchaser may include links to the relevant suppliers' web sites. Suitable data may be embedded in the links, such as the price quoted by the relevant supplier and an authorisation code. By clinking or otherwise following the link, the purchaser may be directed to the supplier's web site and the quoted price and authorisation code may be supplied to the supplier for completion of the purchase. The authorisation code may be supplied by the supplier when entering a quote, or may be generated by the system. The supplier or system may automatically generate an authorisation code.

The invention also allows purchasers to compile a list of items to be quoted on as a group. The items in the group may be quoted upon only as part of the group, individually or both individually and as part of a group. Accordingly, rather than confirming a request for a quote for each individual product, the purchaser may add each item to a list and, when finalised, confirm requests for quotation in respect of the list of products.

In this scenario each item on the list may be subject to manual and/or automatic quotes, if allowed by the purchaser. In addition, if allowed by the purchaser, suppliers may quote on the entire list and provide a single figure for the list.

Where a purchaser allows individual quotes and suppliers quote on two or more of the items of the list then these individual quotes may be combined and ranked. Thus, for example, if a purchaser asks for quotes on three items they may be provided with details of the lowest quotes or quotes on each of the three items. These three quotes may come from three different suppliers. The purchaser may also be provided with the lowest combined individual quotes for all three items from the one supplier. In addition a single quote for all three items from a single supplier may be provided. It would be expected that the single quote to be lower than the three individual quotes combined. However, it may be that no supplier provides a single quote for the three items as a group but suppliers only provide individual quotes. The purchaser may decide to buy the products from the one supplier at a slightly higher price than from two or more separate suppliers at a lower combined price.

Where a supplier only quotes on part of the list, the individual quotes may be appealing to the purchaser. Thus, for example, a supplier may only quote on two out of three items and the purchaser may be provided with quotes for two of these items. It may be that splitting the purchase provided the best option for the purchaser when factors other than price are considered.

Purchasers may desire quotes for products that are not listed in the database. Accordingly the system allows the purchaser to select categories and subcategories and enter details in a free-form data entry box to enable suppliers to attempt to identify the product in question. The data supplied my be a description, part number etc. Thus, for example, and unlisted LCD Television would be entered under "Electrical goods" the subcategory of "Televisions" and its sub category of "LCD televisions". If the brand or manufacturer is known this can also be selected. These categories allow the system to identify appropriate suppliers and notify those selected suppliers as previously described.

A second example of the invention is depicted in figures 7 to 15. This embodiment operates similarly to the first example but provides a different web interface for both customers and suppliers.

Referring to figure 7, the customer is presented with a web page 200 that has a series of main categories 202, such as "Kitchen appliances", "Digital

Cameras", "Home Electronics", etc. Below each broad category are a series of sub-categories 204, such as "LCD Televisions", "Plasma Televisions", "DVD Players", etc. Each main and each sub category is a hyperlink.

The customer may select one of the links and be taken to a new page 206, shown in figure 8. In this example the user has selected "LCD Televisions" and the page 206 lists a series of LCD Televisions, 208. Each entry includes brief details 210, the manufacture's recommended price 212 and an "Ask for Bids" button 214. The tile 216 of each item 208 is also a hyper link that opens a new window (not shown) that displays more information on the relevant product. Items may be selected by brand or price using links 218 and 220, respectively Selecting the "Ask for Bids" button 214 takes the user to a new page 222 where the user may select or limit the geographic areas from which the user prefers to purchase in. The page 222 lists a series of geographic areas 224 and tick boxes 226 by means of which the areas are selected. If no selection is made all area are deemed selected. Alternatively the system may enforce selection of at least one geographic area 224. A "select/deselect all" button or link may be provided.

In this embodiment of the invention the request for a price will be sent to all suppliers irrespective of the geographic locations selected by the customer but this information is used to differentiate quotations. Alternatively only suppliers associated with the geographic locations selected may be allowed to provide quotations. In this embodiment the physical location of the supplier determines the geographic location(s) with which it is associated and, generally, a supplier must be physically located in the geographic location with which it is associated. The administrator may, however, associate a supplier with more than one geographic location. Typically this would occur where the physical location is close to the boundary between adjacent geographic locations.

After selecting one or more geographic areas the user selects the next button 228 and a new page 230 (figure 10) opens. This page 230 allows the user to select the quality of the products (new or new and seconds) at 232, the time allowed for retailers to respond with their best price at 234, the quantity of items at 236 and payment method, such as Cash, EFTPOS (electronic funds transfer at point of sale), credit card or delayed payment, at 238. Other pick lists may be provided, such as one that allows the user to select home delivery or store pick-up.

The user may also add free form messages or comments, at 240.

When the user has selected/entered appropriate data the "create request now" button 242 is selected. This causes the system to notify all suppliers in the system of the request. The customer may view requests in their own web page 250, shown in figure 11 , the web page lists all current items 252 and displays the recommended price at 254, the quantity the customer wishes to purchase at 256, the amount of time remaining before the bidding window closes at 258 and the current lowest price at 260. If there are no bids this is also indicated at 260.

Each supplier may respond to the request using their own web portal, shown in figure 12. All current requests for prices (i.e. the bidding window is still open) and for which the supplier has not provided a price are shown in the portal page 270. These may be order by date/time ending at 272, category 274 or brand 276. Other criteria may be used for ordering the list of items.

In the page of figure 12 there is only one item 278 shown. For each item the locality of the purchaser is shown at 280, any message entered by the customer at 240 is shown at 282, as well as the quantity required and the quantity 281 and the payment terms 283 and whether a second will be accepted 285.

The supplier may enter their price at 284 and any message or comments at 286. This is submitted to the system using the submit button 288. After pressing the submit button 286, the current ranking of that price is shown on a new page 290. This page shows the various rankings, such as first, second, third 291 or outside the top three 292.

The supplier may view a list of current requests on a page 294, shown in figure 14. This page shows all items 296 on which the supplier has submitted a price 298 and a current ranking 300. As other suppliers submit prices the ranking 300 may change.

In this example a supplier may not update the price for an item once submitted. This is to encourage suppliers to submit their lowest price and also avoids the need for the supplier to watch current bidding on products. However, in variations of the example, the supplier may update the price provided by clicking the item link 296, which takes the supplier to a page where the price may be updated.

It will be appreciated that the auto bidding process described with reference to the first embodiment may be used with this example. At the end of the bidding window the customer may view the results of the process on a web page 310, shown in figure 15. This page shows the item details 312, the recommended price 314 and the best price received 316 and an item ID 317.

The page also shows the geographic regions selected at the initial stage at 318 and the best three prices obtained (or prices obtained if three or less) from suppliers associated with the selected regions at 320. As mentioned before, the request for a price is sent to all suppliers irrespective of the geographic location selected by the customer. Thus out of area suppliers may have responded and the best three prices obtained (or prices obtained if three or less) from all suppliers are shown at 322.

By clicking on "view store price" link 324 the user may obtain details of the price offered by each supplier and other details, such as specific store location. The customer can then decide which store to obtain the product from, using their own criteria, such as relative location, store reputation, etc.

The customer then contacts the relevant store and arranges purchase, using the item id 317 to identify the item and confirm the price offered by the supplier.

Whilst the preferred embodiment utilises a web site to allow suppliers to enter and view quotes on a product other methods of providing quotes may be provided. The viewing of current quotes is preferred but not critical. Thus, for example, suppliers may be notified of the requests for quote and may send a quote or tender by email with a unique identifier in the body or subject line of the email.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many obvious modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A method of obtaining quotes or tenders from multiple suppliers, the method including: a purchaser identifying, selecting and/or inputting product data relating to at least one product for which a quotation is required; creating at least one request for quotation in relation to the at least one product; making information relating to at least one request for quotation available to suppliers, and receiving from and/or creating for at least one supplier data indicative of at least one quote from the respective supplier in respect of the at least one product.

2. The method of any one of the preceding claims including making data relating to at least the or the lowest quote received available to the purchaser.

3. The method of any one of the preceding claims wherein the step of creating at least one request for quotation includes identifying, selecting and/or inputting at least one geographic area.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein information relating to at least one request for quotation is made available to suppliers irrespective of the at least one geographic area.

5. The method of claim 3 or claim 4 wherein making price data available to the purchaser includes differentiating between quotations from suppliers associated with the at least one geographic area and quotations from suppliers not associated with the at least one geographic area.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein information relating to at least one request for quotation is made available to only suppliers associated with the at least one geographic area.

7. The method of any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein up to the best N quotations from suppliers associated with the at least one geographic area are provided to the purchaser, where n is an integer greater than one.

8. The method of any one of the preceding claims wherein up to the best M quotations are provided to the purchaser, where M is an integer greater than one.

9. The method of any one of the preceding claims wherein the step of creating at least one request for quotation includes associating, identifying, selecting and/or inputting purchaser data.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the purchaser data includes at least one of delivery location; purchaser location, payment method and period allowed for providing quotations.

11. The method of any one of the preceding claims including storing supplier product data relating to products.

12. The method of any one of the preceding claims wherein the supplier product data includes data indicative of a desire by that supplier to quote on specific products, types of products and/or brands of products and wherein information relating to a request for quotation is made available only to suppliers having a recorded desire to quote on at least one product of the request for quotation.

13. The method of any one of the preceding claims including storing for at least one supplier and at least one product a lowest price that a supplier will sell a product.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein when a lowest price for a product has been previously stored for a first supplier, a quotation is automatically created for the product on behalf of the first supplier when: another supplier enters a quote in relation to the request for quotation that is higher than the first supplier's lowest price.

15. The method of any one of the preceding claims including storing for at least one supplier and at least one product a highest price that a supplier will sell a product.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein when a highest price for a product has been previously stored for a first supplier, a quotation is automatically created for the product on behalf of the first supplier when the request for quotation is created.

17. The method of any one of the preceding claims wherein a request for quotation includes a group of at least two products and the method includes indicating to suppliers that: a whole group quotation may be provided in relation to all of the products as a group; at least one partial group quotation may be provided in relation to at least some of the products as a group; at least one individual product quotation may be provided, the or each at least one individual product quotation being in relation to a single product, or any combination of the above.

18. The method claim 17 wherein suppliers provide at least one of a whole group quotation, a partial group quotation, and an individual product quotation.

19. The method of any one of the preceding claims including providing, to each supplier that has provided a quotation, data indicative of the ranking of the quotation to the respective supplier.

20. A system for obtaining quotes or tenders from multiple suppliers, the system including: a user interface to enable a purchaser to identify, select and/or input product data relating to at least one product for which a quotation is required; means for creating at least one request for quotation in relation to the at least one product; means for making information relating to at least one request for quotation available to suppliers, and means for receiving from and/or creating for at least one supplier data indicative of at least one quote from the respective supplier in respect of the at least one product.

21. The system of claim 20 including means for making data relating to at least the or the lowest quote received available to the purchaser.

22. The system of claim 20 or claim 21 wherein the user interface enables a user to identifying, selecting and/or inputting at least one geographic area.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein information relating to at least one request for quotation is made available to suppliers irrespective of the at least one geographic area.

24. The system of claim 22 or claim 23 wherein price data made available to the purchaser is differentiated between quotations from suppliers associated with the at least one geographic area and quotations from suppliers not associated with the at least one geographic area.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein information relating to at least one request for quotation is made available to only suppliers associated with the at least one geographic area.

26. The system of any one of claims 24 to 27 wherein up to the best N quotations from suppliers associated with the at least one geographic area are made available to the purchaser, where N is an integer greater than one.

27. The system of any one of claim 21 to 26 wherein up to the best M quotations are made available to the purchaser, where M is an integer greater than one.

28. The system of any one of claims 20 to 27 wherein purchaser data is associated with said at least one request for quotation.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein the purchaser data includes at least one of delivery location; purchaser location, payment system and period allowed for providing quotations.

30. The system of any one of claims 20 to 29 wherein the system stores supplier product data relating to products.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein the supplier product data includes data indicative of a desire by that supplier to quote on specific products, types of products and/or brands of products and wherein information relating to a request for quotation is made available only to suppliers having a recorded desire to quote on at least one product of the request for quotation.

32. The system of any one of claims 20 to 31 storing for at least one supplier and at least one product a lowest price that a supplier will sell a product.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein when a lowest price for a product has been previously stored for a first supplier, a quotation is automatically created for the product on behalf of the first supplier when: another supplier enters a quote in relation to the request for quotation that is higher than the first supplier's lowest price.

34. The system of any one of claims 20 to 43 storing for at least one supplier and at least one product a highest price that a supplier will sell a product.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein when a highest price for a product has been previously stored for a first supplier, a quotation is automatically created for the product on behalf of the first supplier when the request for quotation is created.

36. The system of any one claims 20 to 35 wherein a request for quotation includes a group of at least two products and the system includes means to indicate to suppliers that: a whole group quotation may be provided in relation to all of the products as a group; at least one partial group quotation may be provided in relation to at least some of the products as a group; at least one individual product quotation may be provided, the or each at least one individual product quotation being in relation to a single product, or any combination of the above.

37. The system claim 36 wherein suppliers are allowed to provide at least one of a whole group quotation, a partial group quotation, and an individual product quotation.

38. The system of any one of claims 20 to 37 including means to provide, to each supplier that has provided a quotation, data indicative of the ranking of the quotation to the respective supplier.

39. The method of any one of claims 1 to 19 wherein a supplier may only submit one quotation in relation to a request for quotation.

40. The system of any one of claims 20 to 38 wherein a supplier may only submit one quotation in relation to a request for quotation.

41. A method of obtaining quotes or tenders from multiple suppliers, substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.

42. A system of obtaining quotes or tenders from multiple suppliers, substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.