Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for generating electronic purchase orders and purchase order responses. Purchase orders and purchase order responses may be automatically filled in using business data stored by the purchaser. The system may automatically generate one or more messages and attach the purchase order and/or purchase order response to transmit these forms to a supplier. The supplier may accept all of the terms of the purchase order or submit changes in the purchase order response. After completing the response, the sender may attach it another message and transmit it. The purchaser may review the purchase order response and may automatically download it into a purchasing system. This system allows a supplier to work off-line without losing any benefits of on-line access. For example, the supplier's input is filtered as it would be if the supplier was working on-line. Also, the supplier's information can be uploaded automatically into the purchaser's system.

Abstract: Automated generation of business correspondences includes accessing a template to retrieve a business form. The business form is encoded within a word processing application encoded, but also includes encoding for the dynamic generation of one or more fields consistent with formatting that is predefined in a template. Through the retrieval and filtering of business information, the business form includes dynamically generated business information data fields consistent with the filtered business information. The business information populates the appropriate fields in the business form, maintaining the proper formatting, including stylistic and table designations, because of the database formatting of the fields. As such, the business correspondences may be automatically generated with proper and consistent business information formatting. Meta data associated with the data fields in the template may be also used for other programming operations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for displaying an external user interface in a groupware application to allow a user to access another application from the groupware application. The external user interface may be accessed from an initial screen within the groupware application that may allow a user to choose from multiple external applications. The user interface may then be expanded to also display user interfaces associated with the application that was selected, as well as the user interfaces associated with the e-mail program. With the external user interface, the user may navigate through the external application from the groupware application by sending multiple queries.

Abstract: Automated generation of business correspondences includes accessing a template to retrieve a business form. The business form is encoded within a word processing application encoded, but also includes encoding for the dynamic generation of one or more fields consistent with formatting that is predefined in a template. Through the retrieval and filtering of business information, the business form includes dynamically generated business information data fields consistent with the filtered business information. The business information populates the appropriate fields in the business form, maintaining the proper formatting, including stylistic and table designations, because of the database formatting of the fields. As such, the business correspondences may be automatically generated with proper and consistent business information formatting. Meta data associated with the data fields in the template may be also used for other programming operations.

Abstract: A product and pricing term updating system accessed a contract database storing contracts with product and pricing terms. A processing device retrieves the product and pricing terms nearing expiration and generates a procurement form that includes the product and pricing terms to be updated. The processing device may convert the form into a format to be accessible using an electronic mail delivery system and provide the procurement form to an output device. The electronic message may then be electronically transmitted to the parties to the contract, providing an automatic reminder that specifically noted product and pricing terms are subject to expiration. The procurement form allows for the renewal or renegotiations of the product and pricing terms. The parties renegotiate these terms, update the procurement form and provide the procurement form back to the processing device. The updated product and pricing terms are therein stored back in the contract database.

Abstract: Collaborating planning information includes retrieving previous planning information, such as planning information from a planning information database. The collaboration of planning information further includes generating an output form including output planning information using a collaborative workspace. Furthermore, missing planning information, including previous planning information, current planning information and/or projected planning information, is determined and an end user is notified. The current and projected planning information may be integrated with existing planning data through the collaborative workspace. The full data set may be stored in the planning information database and accessible using the collaborative workspace.

Abstract: A contract term updating system monitors of the expiration of contract terms stored in a contract database. A processing device receives the contract terms nearing expiration and generates an update form that includes the contract terms to be updated. The processing device may convert the form into a format to be accessible using an electronic mail delivery system and provides the update form to an output device. The electronic message may then be electronically transmitted to the parties to the contract, providing an automatic reminder that specifically noted contract terms are subject to expiration and the update form allows for the renewal or renegotiations of the contract terms. The parties renegotiate the terms of the contract, update the update form and provide the update form back to the processing device. The updated contract terms are therein stored back in the contract database.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for generating electronic purchase orders and purchase order responses. Purchase orders and purchase order responses may be automatically filled in using business data stored by the purchaser. The system may automatically generate one or more messages and attach the purchase order and/or purchase order response to transmit these forms to a supplier. The supplier may accept all of the terms of the purchase order or submit changes in the purchase order response. After completing the response, the sender may attach it another message and transmit it. The purchaser may review the purchase order response and may automatically download it into a purchasing system. This system allows a supplier to work off-line without losing any benefits of on-line access. For example, the supplier's input is filtered as it would be if the supplier was working on-line. Also, the supplier's information can be uploaded automatically into the purchaser's system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for displaying an expanded e-mail header of an e-mail message that is readily viewable when reading a received message. An e-mail application retrieves data stored in one or more contact files, such as a sender's contact data and displays this information in an expanded e-mail header or other image within the e-mail so that the recipient can view it by simply clicking on the received e-mail or a received request for an appointment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for displaying an external user interface in a groupware application to allow a user to access another application from the groupware application. The external user interface may be accessed from an initial screen within the groupware application that may allow a user to choose from multiple external applications. The user interface may then be expanded to also display user interfaces associated with the application that was selected, as well as the user interfaces associated with the e-mail program. With the external user interface, the user may navigate through the external application from the groupware application by sending multiple queries.