WO2000055785A2 - Systeme informatise de consultation en courtage - Google Patents

Systeme informatise de consultation en courtage Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000055785A2
WO2000055785A2 PCT/US2000/006061 US0006061W WO0055785A2 WO 2000055785 A2 WO2000055785 A2 WO 2000055785A2 US 0006061 W US0006061 W US 0006061W WO 0055785 A2 WO0055785 A2 WO 0055785A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
group
central location
query
members
predetermined
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/006061
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2000055785A8 (fr
Inventor
Mark Verdi
Ruth Habbe
Original Assignee
Mainspring Communications, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mainspring Communications, Inc. filed Critical Mainspring Communications, Inc.
Priority to EP00913817A priority Critical patent/EP1159699A2/fr
Priority to AU35186/00A priority patent/AU773054B2/en
Priority to CA002365213A priority patent/CA2365213A1/fr
Priority to IL14541400A priority patent/IL145414A0/xx
Priority to JP2000605943A priority patent/JP2003524816A/ja
Publication of WO2000055785A2 publication Critical patent/WO2000055785A2/fr
Publication of WO2000055785A8 publication Critical patent/WO2000055785A8/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q50/00—Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Definitions

  • This invention generally relates to a user-driven system, apparatus, and method for generating and sharing knowledge over a computer network. More particularly, this invention relates to a system, apparatus, and method for permitting users of a computer network to procure on-line consulting services. Background
  • consultants typically are available for in-person consultations for only brief periods of time (e.g., a week or two); the remainder of their time may be spent traveling and visiting other clients.
  • the original consultant frequently is unavailable to provide further assistance to the clients serviced earlier, even if pressing questions arise.
  • a less- experienced consultant, or a consultant unfamiliar with the original business may be assigned to take over.
  • the re-education process for the replacement consultant is costly, both in time and money.
  • the end product of traditional consultations is typically a lengthy and expensive report. While the report may contain recommendations for the business, the solutions, as discussed above, often are presented well after the time at which the business really needed to solve the problem.
  • on-line consulting services provide an opportunity to obtain the advice of an outside consultant at a price that the business can afford and in a time frame that works with the fast pace of the business world.
  • on-line consulting can supplement (or even supplant) conventional "mainstream" consultants. Because rapid, iterative decision-making is essential in a competitive global economy, few businesses can afford to take their time seeking and getting strategic advice.
  • one known service provides, for a fixed rate, the ability to seek the services of a live consultant for a predetermined number of questions. Users submit questions to the service over a computer network, typically by typing up the question and sending it via electronic mail or a web page.
  • a "knowledge provider" [a live employee] sorts it into a particular subject category so that it can be routed to the appropriate consultant (or other professional qualified to answer the question).
  • the consultant provides an answer directly to the sender of the question.
  • on-line consulting services primarily provide "pre-packaged" information that is targeted to the user's business area.
  • users of one type of system have access to constantly updated information and data relating to various industries, computerized bulletin boards relating to different topics of interest, and a database of the "best practices" of worldwide businesses.
  • the latter service includes features that permit a company to compare its practices with those of its peers and/or other companies in different business areas. Such comparisons generally are viewed as helpful in improving a company's own performance. For a fee, this system will provide a live consultant's services at an hourly rate. Because presently available on-time consulting services are not research-centric, the accuracy of the consultations provided often depends on the questions asked.
  • the on-line consulting service merely provides a consultant to answer questions based on a consultant's own knowledge. More complex questions, such as those requiring custom industry research, are not provided for by any known systems.
  • the invention provides a method for networked consulting.
  • a group comprising two or more members is established.
  • a first member of the group sends a message over a computer network to a central location.
  • a query is then sent from the central location to at least a portion of the group.
  • a message is received at the central location in response to the query, the second message comprising a response to the query from a second member of the group.
  • an analysis relating to the query and to the response is prepared and sent to the members of the group.
  • Embodiments of the invention can include the following.
  • the analysis is sent only to members of the group that responded to the query.
  • the query is sent to the first member for approval before sending it to the group.
  • the query is sent from the central location to a non-group member, such as a consultant, and an analysis is prepared based on a response from the non-group member.
  • the invention provides a method for networked consulting, comprising establishing a group comprising two or more members; receiving at a first location over a computer network, within a predetermined first time period, a plurality of first messages from members of the group; generating at least one set of queries based on at least a portion of the first messages; sending the at least one set of queries from the first location to the group; receiving at the first location over a computer network, within a predetermined second time period, a plurality of second messages responsive to at least a portion of the set of queries; preparing at least one analysis based on a query in the set and any corresponding responses; and sending the analysis from the first location to the group.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a networked consulting system, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for networked consulting, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Description of the Invention
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can implement one embodiment of the invention.
  • Central location 2 represents, in one embodiment, a computer capable of receiving and sending communications over a network.
  • central location 2 is a computer that communicates over a wide area network.
  • central location 2 is a "virtual" location, such as a web page on the World Wide Web (“WWW”) that can receive and send communications to other locations.
  • WWW World Wide Web
  • central location 2 is a computer that comprises at least a processor 3 and a memory 4.
  • Group members 6 and consultants 10 are connected over a computer network, such as a wide-area computer network, so that all members and consultants communicate electronically with the central location 2.
  • This communication can be in the form of electronic mail, access to one or more web pages, or any other electronic communication system.
  • An executive group 5 comprises a plurality of group members 6.
  • an executive group 5 called “CEO” may be formed from a plurality of group members 6 that are each chief executive officers (CEOs) of a business. More than one characteristic is used, in some embodiments, to define the group.
  • an executive group 5 called "Telecom HR" may be formed from the heads of human resources at telecommunications companies having gross incomes of greater than $8 billion dollars/year.
  • executive groups 5 are formed to provide a set of members of the business community to whom surveys, queries, and other types of information gathering are directed.
  • any group member 6 having a question about a particular business issue can, using the system described below, submit the question to other members of the executive group 5.
  • the group member 6 does not submit the question directly to the members. Rather, a group member 6 submits a question, over a computer network, to the central location 2. It should be understood that the group member 6 need not submit only a question to the central location 2.
  • the group member 6, in one embodiment, can submit other information, such as the statement of a problem, an observation, a series of questions, and the like. Indeed, the message from a group member 6 might not contain an actual question or might contain the wrong question.
  • a group member 6 may have a problem, but might not know the question to ask that may result in answers (from other group members 6) that may help address the problem.
  • the central location 2 takes the message sent from the group member and turns it into a targeted query or series of queries. This is accomplished, in a preferred embodiment, by communicating the original message over the computer network from the group member 6 to one or more consultants 10.
  • a consultant 10 is a "live" person, typically sitting at a computer communicating over a computer network with the central location 2.
  • the consultant 10 is trained to recognize, refine, edit, summarize, and/or rephrase questions from a group member 6 into one or more queries that are potentially answerable by other members of the executive group 5 and that may result in useful information for the group member 6 (as well as other group members 6). In addition, in one embodiment, more than one consultant 10 may participate in refining the group member's question.
  • the central location 2 waits a certain predetermined length of time before transmitting the query to the group members 6.
  • this permits multiple group members 6 to ask questions and have the consultant 10 refine and organize the questions into one or more surveys that are submitted to group members 6.
  • the central location 2 provides a two-week interval during which group members 6 may submit questions. During this period, central location receives questions and messages from group members 6 and provides them to the one or more consultants 10 to be refined. After the two- week interval is over, the consultant 10 organizes the questions into a useful format, such as by category, and develops a set of queries that effectively summarize the questions that are received.
  • Questions that do not fit into other categories may be saved in memory 4, but preferably are segregated into an "other" or "miscellaneous" type category in the query set.
  • the consultant 10 has refined the question into one or more queries, the query is sent to each group member 6 in the executive group 5.
  • each group member 6 is obligated to participate in answering queries sent to it from central location 2.
  • the queries can be provided to the group members 6 from the central location 2 in several ways.
  • the query is sent as an electronic communication, such as an electronic mail message, to which the group member replies.
  • the query is provided on a web page that a group member 6 accesses.
  • a group member 6 must agree to access a particular web page at least one a month.
  • one or more "refined" queries from other group members are listed there.
  • the central location 2 can cluster together questions that it receives from different group members 6; the invention is not limited to asking and answering one question at a time.
  • submission of queries and responses is accomplished using non-electronic communication, such as conventional mail.
  • group member 6 responds to the one or more queries that it receives from central location 2, it sends its response back to central location 2.
  • Central location 2 transmits the replies to one or more consultants 10.
  • Consultants 10 review the results and prepare an analysis/summary of the results for each query. Typically, the type and level of analysis depends on the topic area(s) of the queries, the sophistication of the group members 6, the level (e.g., cost) of consultant service for which group members 6 have paid, and the like.
  • the consultant 10 transmits it to central location 2, which then transmits it to all group members 2. This transmission may be in any manner known to those skilled in the art, such as regular mail delivery, electronic communication, posting to a web page, and the like.
  • the invention provides a level of anonymity, if desired.
  • the identity of the group member 6 that submitted the question is concealed from one or more of the other group members 6 or the consultant 10.
  • the identities of one or more group members 6 providing responses are kept anonymous.
  • a group member 6 responding to a query (which may or may not be anonymous) from the central location 2 indicates in its response that it does not wish to conceal its identity from the group member 6 that submitted the question.
  • the responding group member 6 may expressly indicate that it is open to receiving direct communication from the questioning group member 6.
  • a questioning group member 6 might indicate that it is receptive to receiving direct communications from other group members 6 in response to its question. The direct communications can occur, in some instances, even without revealing the identities of the participants.
  • the group member 6 is a member of an executive group 5 that comprises companies involved in the financial services business. That group member 6 submits the following question to the central location 2:
  • Central location 2 forwards this message to consultant 10, who develops a brief survey to send to members of the executive group 5 (of financial services industry members), to help find an answer to the question sent by the group member 6.
  • the survey has the following questions: What operating system do you use? How long have you used it?
  • the central location 2 then sends this set of queries to members 6 of the executive group 5.
  • the set of queries may have as few or as many queries as the consultant 10 deems necessary.
  • the question might be sent to other groups that a consultant 10 might deem relevant or interested in the answer.
  • group members 6 send replies to the central location 2 that respond to the set of queries received, Central location 2 transmits these responses to consultant 10, which analyzes the results.
  • the analysis tabulates the answers to the questions, looks for trends or particularly helpful responses, generates advice based on the responses, and the like.
  • the consultant 10 provides it to the central location 2, which it sends to each group member 6.
  • an analysis sent to the group 5 might read:
  • a group member can obtain useful, immediately implementable advice, directly related to its short and/or long term needs. Moreover, because the survey results are obtained from members of peer groups, the group member 6 can determine the "best practice" or course of action for its particular business segment. This feature is also illustrated in the following example:
  • central location 2 forwards this message to consultant 10, who develops the following survey for group members 6:
  • the central location 2 then sends this set of queries to members 6 of executive group 5.
  • the type of executive group 5 that is formed helps to ensure the relevance of the information related to and from group members.
  • members of the Telecom HR group may have very different concerns and opinions about a particular topic, such as upgrading computer systems, than the CEO groups described above, or the financial services industry group of the example.
  • each group can provide valuable insight to the same problem.
  • the same question in the above example might be submitted to other groups as a way for a group member 6 of one group to ascertain whether the business world as a whole has a positive or negative view of operating system Y.
  • FIG. 2 is a flow chart representation of a method of on-line consulting, in accordance with the present invention.
  • the central location receives one or more messages from group members (step 110) during a first time period (step 120).
  • a first time period to accumulate questions helps ensure that a group member's question does not sit unanswered for an excessively long time. It also permits the central location to group related questions together, as described previously.
  • the central location When the first time period for receiving questions is over, the central location provides the questions to a consultant so that the consultant can define a set of one or more queries based on the received messages (step 130). The central location then sends the set of queries to the group (step 140). Responses to the queries are then received at the central location (step 150) until a second time period expires.
  • the second time period like the first time period, helps to ensure that the group member's question can be analyzed and answered in the quickest possible time frame. However, the second time period typically is selected to give group members sufficient time to answer the queries. In one embodiment, as each response is received it is saved at the central location (step 160), until the second time period is over.
  • one or more consultants review the responses and prepare an analysis based on the one or more queries and the respective responses (step 180).
  • the consultant then transmits the analysis to the central location, which then transmits it to the group (step 190).
  • the central location can store the analysis for future reference by group members and/or consultants.

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Abstract

Cette invention concerne un système, un dispositif et un procédé gérés par le client qui permettent de produire et de partager des informations via un réseau informatique. Plus particulièrement, cette invention concerne un système, un dispositif et un procédé qui permettent aux utilisateurs d'un réseau informatique d'accéder à des services de consultant en ligne.
PCT/US2000/006061 1999-03-12 2000-03-08 Systeme informatise de consultation en courtage WO2000055785A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00913817A EP1159699A2 (fr) 1999-03-12 2000-03-08 Systeme informatise de consultation en courtage
AU35186/00A AU773054B2 (en) 1999-03-12 2000-03-08 Computerized knowledge brokerage system
CA002365213A CA2365213A1 (fr) 1999-03-12 2000-03-08 Systeme informatise de consultation en courtage
IL14541400A IL145414A0 (en) 1999-03-12 2000-03-08 Computerized knowledge brokerage system
JP2000605943A JP2003524816A (ja) 1999-03-12 2000-03-08 コンピュータ化された知識仲介システム

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12428999P 1999-03-12 1999-03-12
US60/124,289 1999-03-12

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000055785A2 true WO2000055785A2 (fr) 2000-09-21
WO2000055785A8 WO2000055785A8 (fr) 2001-07-12

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PCT/US2000/006061 WO2000055785A2 (fr) 1999-03-12 2000-03-08 Systeme informatise de consultation en courtage

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EP (1) EP1159699A2 (fr)
JP (1) JP2003524816A (fr)
KR (1) KR100492682B1 (fr)
AU (1) AU773054B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2365213A1 (fr)
IL (1) IL145414A0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2000055785A2 (fr)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2012064995A (ja) * 2010-09-14 2012-03-29 Hitachi Ltd 暗号装置管理方法、暗号装置管理サーバ、プログラム及び記憶媒体

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5404506A (en) * 1985-03-27 1995-04-04 Hitachi, Ltd. Knowledge based information retrieval system
JP3455790B2 (ja) * 1995-06-30 2003-10-14 富士通株式会社 情報検索に利用するノウハウ管理装置
JP4094687B2 (ja) * 1995-12-26 2008-06-04 富士通株式会社 電子仲介システムおよび方法
US5819263A (en) * 1996-07-19 1998-10-06 American Express Financial Corporation Financial planning system incorporating relationship and group management
US5862223A (en) * 1996-07-24 1999-01-19 Walker Asset Management Limited Partnership Method and apparatus for a cryptographically-assisted commercial network system designed to facilitate and support expert-based commerce
JPH10334051A (ja) * 1997-05-30 1998-12-18 Hitachi Ltd サービス情報の共有を制御する情報処理装置
KR19990044851A (ko) * 1997-11-24 1999-06-25 포만 제프리 엘 컴퓨터 네트워크에서 사전정의된 사용자 데이터를 질의 엔트리필드와 자동적으로 연관시키기 위한방법 및 시스템

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2003524816A (ja) 2003-08-19
AU3518600A (en) 2000-10-04
EP1159699A2 (fr) 2001-12-05
KR20020013839A (ko) 2002-02-21
WO2000055785A8 (fr) 2001-07-12
IL145414A0 (en) 2002-06-30
CA2365213A1 (fr) 2000-09-21
KR100492682B1 (ko) 2005-06-07
AU773054B2 (en) 2004-05-13

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