Abstract: An Internet-based incentive/rewards platform designed to serve the needs of the indirect channel is provided to independent business partners by industry manufacturers. Through the platform, participating channel partners can review details, e.g., the terms and conditions, of prospective promotions/contests or reward programs offered by manufacturers and can accept or decline the offers to participate in the manufacturer-provided programs. Once the channel partner accepts the manufacturer-provided promotion/contest or reward program, the partner may modify or append certain elements of the program to better fit the partner's business processes and compensation plans. The platform provides administrative tools to track and report participant progress through a claims submittal process where internal partner personnel earn rewards. Rewards can be redeemed for items in an integrated rewards catalog.

Abstract: Systems and method to provide and encourage cross-industry collaboration between and amongst independent business partners designed to serve the needs of the indirect channel. Through the system, participating Members search for potential partners based on validated credentials across vendor ecosystems and professional certifications. Results can be further refined using additional filters including the use of keywords and location based attributes. Members review prospective partners' profiles and ratings, which may be obtained from fellow partners, to screen and select partners with whom they can share potential business through registered Customer Opportunities, i.e. Collaborations. Upon closing new business, the system provides tools to track each Collaboration's progress all the way through to the claims process where collaborating partners share in the aggregated Rewards earned from Sponsoring vendor organizations.