Inventors:
Daniel M. Hoyt - Manitou Springs CO
Robin M. Lee - Colorado Springs CO
Alan L. Lickiss - Colorado Springs CO
Assignee:
MCI Communications Corporation - Washington DC
International Classification:
G06F 1760
Abstract:
A contract system automates negotiation and generation of contract documents by managing the work flow in a contract approval process. Multiple users, coupled by a computer network, access a contract database containing multiple contracts with multiple contract components therein. The system manages communications and security between a client system and the contract database. A client applet facilitates user input at the client system and assists in a standardization of legal phrasing and contract negotiation. The client applet enforces business rules to qualify a contract for expedited approval. Generalized templates are employed to enable rapid prototyping and creation of new contracts. A method governs the automated contract negotiation and generation process within a business organization with assistance from a graphical user interface.