Abstract: A method of managing case based promises to pay includes displaying a customer hierarchy. The customer hierarchy displays (i) a customer level with customer level information and (ii) plural account levels with account level information for respective multiple accounts of a customer needing collection. Also included is displaying action now amounts for the customer on the customer level and on the account levels of the customer hierarchy; wherein the account level information is rolled up into the customer level information. The method further includes interacting with a user to select the action now amount for an upper level in the customer hierarchy, and dispersing a partitioned amount of the action now amount to levels which the customer can promise to pay, for levels which are hierarchically below the level of the selected action now amount in the customer hierarchy.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for creating a flexible case model for use in managing collections of multiple accounts of a customer needing collection. Attributes are defined, each of the attributes including a data source, wherein the data source can be inherited or rolled up. Plural different entity models are defined, wherein each of the entity models includes a plurality of the attributes, the different entity models being (i) a finance entity, and (ii) a promise entity which a customer can promise to pay. Plural collection object models are defined, wherein each of the collection object models includes a plurality of the entity models, including a finance entity and a promise entity. Where the plural collection object models sit in a case model hierarchy is defined, wherein a case represents multiple accounts of a customer needing collection.

Abstract: A method of managing case based promises to pay includes displaying a customer hierarchy. The customer hierarchy displays (i) a customer level with customer level information and (ii) plural account levels with account level information for respective multiple accounts of a customer needing collection. Also included is displaying action now amounts for the customer on the customer level and on the account levels of the customer hierarchy; wherein the account level information is rolled up into the customer level information. The method further includes interacting with a user to select the action now amount for an upper level in the customer hierarchy, and dispersing a partitioned amount of the action now amount to levels which the customer can promise to pay, for levels which are hierarchically below the level of the selected action now amount in the customer hierarchy.

Abstract: A computer-based promise option advisory module included in a promise management system receives account data, customer data, and parameter data from a database or a collection system, and calculates and displays promise options, or interfaces to a decision engine which calculates the promise options. A user may accept the displayed promise options or input the user's own promise options, in which case the user's promise options are transmitted by the promise management system to the collections system for verification. The calculated promise options include a minimum payment amount and a maximum payment date, and correspond to a single promise, a two part promise, a long term promise, or a deferred payment arrangement promise.

Abstract: An automated receivables management system that provides a self-service collection environment using an electronic network, such as the Internet or a PCS, as a medium for communication and transaction execution. Comprehensive collections services are provided in a fully automated fashion, including account decisioning, treatment specification, communication channel specification, and communication to the customer and method for payment/response from the customer using the electronic channel. The electronic network operates as a fully-automated electronic receivables environment, providing a medium for notification, receiving funds and customer responses, while allowing the creation of a test and control environment for experimentation on a customer level. Using results from existing policies or strategies, the system matches account performance with account history in order to determine the optimal new strategy for interacting with the respective account(s).