Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Oracle America, Inc.

James Shuder

Sridatta Viswanath

Shailesh Prakash

Kishor Kakatkar

The present invention provides timecard processing in a procurement management system. A service provider creates and submits an on-line timecard, the timecard is approved by an approver, and the billing information is forwarded to a payment processing function. An embodiment comprises the steps of: providing a user interface for entry, modification and approval of timecard data; reading a timecard projects table to add data to the timecard data; comparing the received timecard data to the timecard projects table to determine if the received timecard data is valid: reading a contractor profile table to add data to the timecard data; reading timecard business rules; applying the timecard business rules, reading an approval matrix; notifying at least one approver to the existence of the received timecard data; computing billing amounts; accepting changes to the timecard data; receiving approval for payment of the billing amounts; and transmitting payment data.

Timecard processing in a procurement management system

A computer software tool for processing timecard related information representing services to be billed wherein the software tool is part of a purchase order procurement system. The software tool is single software system for procurement services composed of a timecard module integrated with a procurement management module. The timecard process includes a base of functions compatible with existing procurement software systems. The system allows a contractor (buyer) to generate a timecard including services, descriptions and amounts. The generation of the timecard triggers a notification to an approving body which then either approves or declines the timecard. Once approved, timecard information can be exported, e.g., using XML, to a payroll or other external service. The timecard information is processed by the procurement system like any other purchase order item and, moreover, the suites of functionality of the procurement system that relate to purchase order items are also available for timecard information. Approvals can be accomplished by email transmitted notifications and email transmitted forms.

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San Carlos, CA, United States of America

James Shuder