Abstract: A part location system is described that utilizes computer-based techniques for bringing together repair facilities and suppliers to increase the efficiency of locating recycled, used or aftermarket parts using a computer network, such as the Internet. The part location system receives an estimate from a first user over a communication network. The part location system then parses the estimate to extract information that identifies a list of parts needed by the first user and automatically generates a request for quote (RFQ) using the information extracted from the estimate. The part location system then sends the RFQ to suppliers via the communication network. Subsequently, the part location system receives quotations from at least one of the suppliers via the communication network in response to the RFQ and presents the quotations received in response to the RFQ to a repair facility via the communication network.

Abstract: A part location system is described that utilizes computer-based techniques for bringing together repair facilities and suppliers to increase the efficiency of locating recycled, used or aftermarket parts using a computer network, such as the Internet. The part location system receives an electronic estimate from one of the repair facilities, parses the estimate to extract pertinent information regarding parts needed in the repair process, and automatically generates an RFQ using the pertinent information extracted from the estimate. The part location system communicates the RFQ to a number of suppliers. The part location system electronically receives quotes from the suppliers and presents the quotes to the repair facility, which determines whether to accept any of the quotes. The part location system maintains an audit log, which may be used to track the effort used to obtain recycled or aftermarket products.