Abstract: A first file is received. The first file has a first format. The first file includes information associated with an item. The information is extracted from the first file. The extracted information is mapped to a capability profile.

Abstract: A total cost management system including a user interface having: (i) selectable options to facilitate building a total cost template including at least one section having a plurality of variables associated therewith; (ii) selectable options to facilitate at least one of the following: creating, deleting, manipulating, configuring, changing, modifying, moving, or any combination thereof, at least one of the at least one section and at least one of the plurality of variables; and (iii) selectable options to define at least one total cost unit price for: at least one item, at least one group of items, at least one assembly, at least one group of assemblies, at least one sub-assembly, at least one group of sub-assemblies, at least one lot, and/or at least one service wherein the at least one total cost unit price is defined by a formula including a plurality of the variables in at least one section.

Abstract: A quantity of an item referenced within a multilevel bill of material (BOM) is determined. A price bid for the item is received into an application framework from a supplier. The price bid is associated with the item. The cost of the multilevel BOM is determined based on the quantity of the item and the price bid.

Abstract: A viewing configuration is determined for a data portion of a first computer file according to a first view state. The viewing configuration has a parameter, and the first view state includes a first value corresponding to the parameter. The content of the first data portion of the first computer file is presented to a display device based on the viewing configuration. In response to a user request, the presenting is manipulated corresponding to another viewing configuration having the parameter. A second view state is captured from the another viewing configuration. The second view state includes a second value corresponding to the parameter of the another viewing configuration. A second header portion and a second data portion of a second computer file are created.

Abstract: A first file is received in a first format. The first format is determined. A converter is selected based on the first format. Using the converter, the first file is translated to at least one second file. The second file has a second format.

Abstract: A round of negotiation for an item is initiated between a plurality of bidders at a plurality of client nodes and a host processing node. A price bid for the item is received from each of the plurality of bidders. At least one negotiation parameter is received from at least one of the plurality of bidders. The negotiation parameter is associated with the item. A total cost value is determined based on an active negotiation term, the price bid, and the negotiation parameter for each of the plurality of bidders.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for facilitating a negotiation for at least one item or service for at least one user. The method includes dynamically adjusting the duration of at least one phase of the negotiation and/or the offer price of the item or service based at least in part upon data that is existing or obtained during the at least one phase of the negotiation. A negotiation system and negotiation control interfaces are also disclosed.

Abstract: Ensuring that a user obtains a correct version of a file, wherein the file includes a file header section and a data section, is disclosed. Expiration information is inserted in the file header by a first application. The expiration information is extracted from the file header by a second application. An expiration date for the file is determined from the extracted expiration information. The determined expiration date is compared with a comparison date, and use of the file is disallowed if the comparison determines that the file has expired.

Abstract: A method and system for creating an electronic file to be used in an online auction are described herein. In one embodiment, an exemplary process includes creating a header portion and a data portion of a computer file, where the header portion provides meta-data about data stored in the data portion. The header portion includes multiple header fields. For each header field, a data tag is stored in the header field and the data tag indicates a header field type associated with the respective header field. For each header field, a meta-data item is stored and defined by the data tag, where the meta-data item references to content associated with the meta-data item and stored in the data portion of the computer file.

Abstract: The method and system of the present invention provides a single interface to process and upload files to a document management system on a remote computer system. The method includes initiating a print driver, accessing the remote server, acquiring metadata, queuing the files with a spooler for processing and transmitting processed files and the metadata to the document management system on the remote computer system.

Abstract: The method and system of the present invention provides for converting all RFQ documents to a common compressed format. The method includes receiving an electronic file for use in an RFQ; extracting link information from the file and storing the extracted link information in an output file, if the file is a text-based file; extracting ISO symbol information from the file and storing the extracted symbol information in an output file, if the file is a CAD file; converting the file to a raster image; compressing the raster image into an RFQ format file, whereby, if an output file was created, the output file is used to generate a separate display layer that will display extracted information, and whereby the separate display later is inserted into the electronic RFQ format file.

Abstract: A method, system and machine readable code for creating a lot having a plurality of items to be auctioned in an electronic auction based on common attributes of the items. An electronic database is provided containing a listing of items, including the items to be auctioned. Each item in the listing of items has at least one attribute and each attribute is common to a plurality of items in the listing of items. At least one attribute is identified where the attribute characterizes at least one of the items to be auctioned. The database is searched to compile an identified listing of items. Each item in the identified listing of items has the at least one identified attribute. Lastly, a lot listing is generated from the identified listing of items.

Abstract: The method and system of the present invention provides a variable-length file header that can be used to save a variety of meta-data about the data stored within the file. The file header can save an optimal view state for an image stored in the file. The file header can be used to store customer and auction information for validation before publishing in an electronic RFQ. The file header can be used to store expiration dates for the data in the file.

Abstract: The method and system of the present invention provides a single interface to process and upload files to a document management system on a remote computer system. The method includes initiating a print driver, accessing the remote server, acquiring metadata, queuing the files with a spooler for processing and transmitting processed files and the metadata to the document management system on the remote computer system.

Abstract: A system that identifies functionally equivalent components and aggregates orders with functionally equivalent components from multiple buyers to create an on-line auction. The system includes private client catalogs, a generic component specification, a stock keeping unit (SKU) neutral catalog, an auction, a integrated supplier, a public catalog, and a list of suppliers and their associated products as identified by unique supplier-generated functional part numbers. Buyers, in the system, use the private client catalogs to purchase components from suppliers. When an order is placed into the private catalog, a generic component specification is generated for each component in order to identify functionally equivalent components. Thereafter, a SKU neutral number is assigned to all functionally equivalent components. The system identifies all functionally equivalent components in the SKU neutral catalog by their SKU neutral number.

Abstract: The method and system of the present invention provides for converting all RFQ documents to a common compressed format. The method includes receiving an electronic file for use in an RFQ; extracting link information from the file and storing the extracted link information in an output file, if the file is a text-based file; extracting ISO symbol information from the file and storing the extracted symbol information in an output file, if the file is a CAD file; converting the file to a raster image; compressing the raster image into an RFQ format file, whereby, if an output file was created, the output file is used to generate a separate display layer that will display extracted information, and whereby the separate display later is inserted into the electronic RFQ format file.

Abstract: A method and system for validating bill of materials information is disclosed, which includes use of a template which defines a bill of materials information structure. The bill of materials information is received in flat file format and comprises, including part data information. The flat file is compared to the bill of materials information structure and the part data information is analyzed for inconsistencies. A report is generated which includes error information representing the differences between the flat file and the bill of materials information structure and part data information inconsistencies. A method and system of reconstructing a bill of materials for one assembly as well as of reconstructing a comprehensive bill of materials for multiple assemblies is also disclosed.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for processing a cyclically varying signal to determine the time between equivalent points of successive signal cycles. A comparator receives the signal at one of its differential input terminals, the other input terminal receiving a reference voltage generated by a computer. The output of the comparator is coupled to a timer toggling input. The computer generates the reference voltage at either a trigger level or a level below the range of the signal. At first, the reference voltage is provided at the trigger level and after the comparator changes state, thereby starting the timer, the computer changes the reference voltage to the low level below the signal range. The computer changes the reference voltage back to the trigger level after a predetermined number of signal cycles, so that the next time the signal reaches the trigger level the timer is stopped.