Steven E Short

US Patent:

20030125992, Jul 3, 2003

Filed:

Dec 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/028073

Inventors:

M. Rogers - St. Louis MO, US
Craig Kennedy - St. Louis MO, US
David Smith - Wildwood MO, US
William Tingle - Eureka MO, US
Anita Klopfenstein - O' Fallon IL, US
Michael Nolfo - St. Louis MO, US
Carla Lambrecht - Chesterfield MO, US
Bradley DeKoter - Kirkwood MO, US
Jon Jouris - St. Louis MO, US
Steven Short - Wildwood MO, US
Mary Schmitz - St. Louis MO, US

Assignee:

The Crawford Group, Inc.

International Classification:

G06F017/60

US Classification:

705/005000

Abstract:

An Internet enabled, business-to-business computerized transaction system is disclosed in its preferred embodiment for use in providing rental car services for high volume users and comprises an Internet web portal through which the high volume user may access a plurality of service providers including an integrated business computer network for at least one rental vehicle service provider with that integrated business computer network also providing the same internet capability and connectivity to its employees. The rental vehicle services provider computer network is configured to interconnect a geographically diverse plurality of branch offices, cataloguing their available rental vehicles and schedules for same as well as handling all transactional data relating to its business, and does so with a centrally programmed service provider computer programmed to allow for a GUI web based internet browser connection, thereby enabling employees as well as customers with the same advantages. The Internet web portal provides ubiquitous connectivity and portability for a multi-level business organization who regularly places high volumes of rental purchases with its business partner and also those other service providers who may or may not have the same integrated business computer system and software, although in its full implementation, the present invention provides these same advantages to the service provider's employees. Utilizing the method and apparatus of the present invention large volumes of rental transactions may be placed, monitored, altered during performance, and closed out with financial accounting and payment being made virtually without human intervention in a GUI web based, internet browser environment which provides unique advantages over the prior art dedicated or proprietary software not employing this methodology.