Abstract: Transaction processing for distributor-based transactions is facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a transaction management approach involves the processing of aspects of a transaction between contracting parties using transaction rules associated with an administrator and at least one distributor sponsoring the transaction. In some applications, the administrator finances the transaction. Fees are assessed as a function of the transaction processing on behalf of the administrator and, in come instances, the distributor.

Abstract: Transaction-based interactions are facilitated using recurring transaction processing approaches. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, recurring transactions are managed using rules applicable to parties to the transactions (e.g., as can be automatically associated with the recurring transactions based on information in the transactions and the rules). In this regard, transaction information is processed in accordance with rules characterizing the recurring nature of the transaction to which the information applies. Such transaction recurrence may be implemented, for example, using a cyclic, event-driven or other recurring type of condition. Payment related aspects of the transaction are also carried out based on the transaction processing and related recurring characteristics.

Abstract: Transaction management for financial institution-based transactions is facilitated in various example embodiments. According to one such embodiment, a transaction management approach involves the processing of financial aspects of a transaction using transaction rules associated with a buyer for auditing the transaction and any associated invoices. A processor arrangement processes transactions for merchant offerings subject to a related set of inventory data by auditing the transactions relative to inventory data corresponding to an inventory to which the transaction applies and stored contract data for the transaction, by processing payment in response thereto, and by assessing a processing fee against one or more parties to the transaction.

Abstract: Transaction management for processing payment-related aspects of transactions is facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a transaction management approach involves the processing of payments on behalf of a buyer or other owing party. These payments are made, e.g., in connection with accounts payable or other functions implemented by the buyer/owing party. In some applications, the payment processing involves a trade credit approach, wherein payment is made on behalf of the buyer/owing party against a credit-type account.

Abstract: Historical data is used to manage and authorize payment for merchant offerings for transactions among a plurality of transaction parties. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, invoiced item quantities are processed using historical fulfilled and billed quantities of each item. If invoiced item quantities involved items that have been fulfilled but not billed, payment for the invoiced items is authorized. If some or all of the invoiced items have not been fulfilled or have been previously billed, payment authorization is withheld for at least the portion of unfulfilled or previously billed (and paid) invoiced items. With this approach, historical information relative to order fulfillment and payment status is used to automatically process invoices (e.g., audit the invoices for payment).

Abstract: Transaction processing for financial institution-based transactions is facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a transaction processing approach involves the processing of financial aspects of a transaction between buying and selling parties using transaction rules associated with a sponsoring financial institution. Transaction-related information is processed as a function of business rules associated with the sponsoring financial institution to facilitate payment for the transaction and the assessment of fees associated with the transaction processing.

Abstract: Transaction processing for financial institution-based transactions is facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a transaction processing approach involves the processing of financial aspects of a transaction between buying and selling parties using transaction rules associated with a sponsoring financial institution. Transaction-related information is processed as a function of business rules associated with the sponsoring financial institution to facilitate payment for the transaction and the assessment of fees associated with the transaction processing.

Abstract: Transaction processing for distributor-based transactions is facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a transaction management approach involves the processing of aspects of a transaction between contracting parties using transaction rules associated with an administrator and at least one distributor sponsoring the transaction. In some applications, the administrator finances the transaction. Fees are assessed as a function of the transaction processing on behalf of the administrator and, in come instances, the distributor.

Abstract: A computer processing system for auditing transaction information between vendors and service providers servicing a third party's needs. The system also includes those transactions involving shippers and carriers. The system is particularly suited to efficiently and automatically audit and effect payment of a transaction and to efficiently provide access to relevant transaction and subscription information. According to one example embodiment, the system includes a processor arrangement that helps vendors validate transactions between service providers and third party customers. In some cases the system is able to monitor transactions initiated by the service provider, for the benefit of the customer, committing the vendor to certain actions not readily known by vendor.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a computer-based contract-management approach processes transactions involving at least one supplier (i.e., seller or sellers) fulfilling one or more sub-components of the transaction. Each of the suppliers (e.g., as well as other transaction parties) reference the transaction when communicating transaction information such as invoices, regardless of which sub-component of the transaction the seller is involved with. The invoices are associated with the transaction using the transaction referenced in each invoice and each supplier is accordingly paid for its performance of the sub-component of the transaction with which it is involved. From a buyer's perspective, the transaction is processed in accordance with the sub-components associated with the at least one supplier.

Abstract: Accounting data is classified to facilitate transaction processing and management. According to an example embodiment, data based rules are implemented for classifying transaction-related data into accounting categories. Accounting information is processed as a function of the data based rules and accordingly automatically classified. This processing involves, for example, the identification of particular data based rules to apply to the accounting information, applying the rules and processing the information accordingly.

Abstract: Accounting data is classified to facilitate transaction processing and management. According to an example embodiment, data based rules are implemented for classifying transaction-related data into accounting categories. Accounting information is processed as a function of the data based rules and accordingly classified. This approach involves, for example, the identification of particular data based rules to apply to the accounting information, applying the rules and processing the information accordingly.

Abstract: Accounting data is classified to facilitate transaction processing and management. According to an example embodiment, data based rules are implemented for classifying transaction-related data into accounting categories. Accounting information is processed as a function of the data based rules and accordingly classified. This approach involves, for example, the identification of particular data based rules to apply to the accounting information, applying the rules and processing the information accordingly.

Abstract: Transaction management for contract and contract-related approaches is facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a transaction management computer is programmed to automatically set contract terms for a transaction based on business rules previously established between parties to a transaction. In one implementation, the transaction management node automatically derives a contract term including a pricing-related term for a transaction between a buyer and seller using contract information therefor. In one instance, previously-agreed-upon price approaches, such as fixed pricing, seller-controlled pricing, quantity-related tiered pricing and pricing management schemes are stored and used by the transaction management node to automatically derive the prices. With these approaches, pricing disputes that can occur after a transaction has been processed are reduced and/or eliminated.

Abstract: Transaction management is facilitated using an approach involving the use of transaction characteristics to authenticate transaction information. According to an example embodiment, a computer processing system is programmed to process a shipment transaction involving a shipper and a carrier. The system is particularly suited to efficiently automate the payment of a shipment transaction and to efficiently provide access to relevant shipment information. The system includes a shipper processor that receives transaction document information such as purchase order information and assists in generating a bill of lading for the transaction. A shipper access terminal interfaces between the shipper processor and a central processor arrangement to control the quantity, quality, and timeliness of information transferred to the central processor arrangement.

Abstract: Transaction management for contract and contract-related approaches is facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a transaction management system automatically sets contract terms including currency conversion terms for a transaction based on business rules previously established between parties to a transaction. In one implementation, the transaction management node automatically derives a contract term including a pricing-related term for a transaction between a buyer and seller using contract information therefor. The pricing-related term is used to set a price for the transaction, and a currency conversion term is used to convert the set price (or a portion of the set price corresponding to a particular transaction party) into a different currency.

Abstract: Transaction processing is facilitated using an approach for automatically grouping transaction-based documents as a function of matching data in the documents. In one example embodiment of the present invention, data from selected attribute fields in transaction-based documents is parsed as the documents are received at a transaction processor. When data in selected attribute fields from two or more documents match, the transaction processor automatically groups the documents having matching data under a particular anchor identification code defined as a function of the match. Upon receipt of one or more other transaction-based documents, the transaction processor advances progress towards completion of the common transaction to which the documents apply. With this approach, predefined data (e.g., a purchase order number) need not necessarily be included with a particular transaction document in order to group the document with another document belonging to the same common transaction.

Abstract: Transaction management for financial institution-based transactions is facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a transaction management approach involves the processing of financial aspects of transactions for a plurality of buyers using transaction rules associated with each buyer for automatically auditing each transaction (for each buyer) and any associated invoices. When a transaction or series of transactions are approved for payment for a particular buyer, the payment is automatically facilitated on behalf of the particular buyer. A fee is then assessed for each transaction or series of transactions, to one or more of the particular buyer, involved seller (or sellers), and a sponsor of the buyer that sponsors the buyer's participation.

Abstract: Accounting data is classified to facilitate transaction processing and management. According to an example embodiment, data based rules are implemented for classifying transaction-related data into accounting categories. Accounting information is processed as a function of the data based rules and accordingly automatically classified. This approach involves, for example, the identification of particular data based rules to apply to the accounting information, applying the rules and processing the information accordingly.

Abstract: Transaction auditing involving the provision of payment from a third-party to a transaction party is facilitated. In accordance with one or more example embodiments, a transaction auditing approach involves processing payment from a third party to one of a buyer and seller involved in a transaction to which the third-party payment is applicable. When an auditing criterion is met, such as when the buyer and seller agree to contract terms or when the buyer pays the seller, payment from the third party is authorized and processed based on the authorization.