Abstract: Data is exchanged between a buyer and a plurality of suppliers via an internet supplier on-line system. A buyer requests a quotation from at least some of the suppliers for the cost of a part or device. When the request includes attachments, documents are generated wherein the request and attachments include both engineering and business documents. A determination is made whether the request is for a commodity part or device or for a non-commodity part or device. Once the supplier has downloaded this information, and the e-mail is generated to alert the buyer that such actions have occurred following an analysis of the request, the supplier is able to enter a quotation or bid.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, data is exchanged between a buyer and a plurality of suppliers via an internet supplier on-line system. The process includes, generating by a buyer a request for a quotation from at least some of the plurality of suppliers for the cost of a part or device. A determination is made if the request for the quotation will include attachments. When the request for quotation will include attachments, documents are generated wherein the request for quotation and attachments include both engineering and business documents. The determination is made as to which of a plurality of suppliers are to be provided with the request for quotation and attachments. An inquiry is then made as to whether all suppliers which are to be provided with a request for quotation and attachments are registered on the supplier on-line system. If a desired supplier is not presently on the system, the supplier is registered and a notification to the buyer is made upon the registration.