Abstract: A method and system for business planning via a communications network includes automated electronic communication procedures for managing the exchange of goods, services, or materials among different business entities. Requirement-indicating data is obtained from a first entity with respect to a transactional subject. The transactional subject may refer to the provision of a material, a good, a service, or any combination of the foregoing items. The obtained requirement-indicating data is automatically transmitted from the first business entity to a second business entity over a communications network. The transmitted requirement-indicating data is automatically fed into an electronic processor associated with the second business entity. A business decision of the second business entity is generated based on the requirement-indicating data.

Abstract: A method for enhancing a commercial transaction via a communications network includes maintaining synchronized updates to databases at different business entities to facilitate accurate transactions between the business entities. A change in configuration data stored in a first configuration database is detected in accordance with a real-time detection procedure. Revision data is transmitted to a second configuration database within a maximum time interval after detection of the change in the configuration data. A second configuration database is updated in accordance with the revision data, such that the configuration data of the first configuration database mirrors configuration data of the second configuration database with respect to at least one commercial transaction.