Abstract: A method and system and computer readable medium for: (1) the creation and representation of business rule definitions, (2) the creation and representation of enforcing rule handlers, (3) the creation and representation of a framework to check the existence of rules then, apply the appropriate handler, (4) and the distribution of the rule definitions and handlers to clients. The present invention defines a rule language and provides a framework that separates the definition of the rules, the enforcing handler, the system at which rules are generated and the system at which rules are enforced. Further, in one embodiment, the present invention uses standard XML notations to define rules and standard XSL and XSLT processing instructions to enforce rules. Using standard XML, XSL and SXLT allows clients to use off-the-shelf XML parser and XSL processors in lieu of developed code or rule based engines.

Abstract: A method and system for reconciling contracts in a multilateral environment. The multilateral environment includes two or more trading partners trading goods and services. The system is based on a hub and spoke architecture. The hub presents to each of the partners using a partner system a user interface for receiving a contract. The contract when received is parsed into requested tags. Each requested tag represents a predefined field in a contract such as price, quantity, delivery date and other contractual terms. These requested tags are placed into a database schema using a naming structure that is identical to the naming structure used for the requested tag values so that elements in the database schema can be populated directly from the requested tag values. Each partner in the value chain, which supplies a good and service for the contract, forms a hierarchical contractual relationship. Contract tag values are retrieved for each trading partner in the hierarchical contractual relationship.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring contracts in a multilateral environment. The multilateral environment includes two or more trading partners trading goods and services. The system is based on hub and spoke architecture. The hub presents to each of the partners using a partner system a user interface for receiving one or more contract clauses, and defining and extracting its own version of metadata based on and from the contract clauses. A graphical user interface presented on the partner system permits one or more customizable rules to be defined, wherein each rule includes at least one condition and one or more actions to perform in response to the condition. The system monitors the one or more contract clauses with the rules. The system performs one or more predefined actions when a contract clause satisfies the requirement of the customizable rules.

Abstract: A method and system for managing and correlating orders in a multilateral environment. The multilateral environment includes two or more trading partners trading goods and services. The system is based on a hub and spoke architecture. The hub presents to each of the partners using a partner system a user interface for receiving an order. The order when received is parsed into tags. Each tag represents a predefined field in an order such as price, quantity, delivery date and other contractual terms. These tags are placed into a database schema using a naming structure that is identical to the naming structure used for the tag values so that elements in the database schema can be populated directly from the tag values. Each partner in the value chain, which supplies a good and service for the order, forms one or more hierarchical contractual relationships. Contract tag values are retrieved for each trading partner in the hierarchical contractual relationship.

Abstract: A method on a data processing server for creating customizable electronic documents in a client-server computer network having one or more data processing servers electronically connected to a plurality of data processing clients. In one embodiment, the method provides the sender with the ability of defining, via one or more interface controls, which portions of an electronic bill are changeable and modifiable by one or more recipients. This permits the subsequent users the authority to only modify the fields as controlled by the sender. In another embodiment, the system permits tracking of changes made by each subsequent recipient of the bill compared with the original billing data. In another embodiment, the method provides the recipient a user preference file which controls how the bill is laid-out by the user.