Abstract: There is disclosed a method and system for selecting a service provider to perform a particular service based on historical expectation differential data. The expectation differential data is preferably derived from the service provider's actual performance and a performance expectation. Methods of determining and varying expectations are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a selection system and method to facilitate the provision of services on a computer network to prospective service users. In a preferred embodiment a computerised method of enabling a buyer to select a service provider for performing a service is described. The method includes processing a service enquiry for a particular service, and retrieving historical cost or invoicing data associated with said service in respect of a plurality of service providers in response to the enquiry. The historical cost data is processed to arrive at comparable cost data for enabling the selection of a service provider to perform the particular service. Cost or invoicing data relating to the provision of the particular service by the selected service provider is then captured, and the historical cost data is updated by incorporating the captured cost data. In this way, separate quoting or tendering is eliminated and job selection is effectively based on historical invoicing data.