Configuration of computer systems based upon purchaser component needs as determined from purchaser data entries and having a tiered structure of financial incentive levels automatically provided from distributer to system resellers

Abstract

A distributer of the computer components, which has developed the process for configuring computer systems or networks, provides to the seller or reseller a configuration process comprising a prompting system for computer purchasers to make a sequence of interactive data entries, each of said entries relative to the data processing needs of the purchaser of one of said computer systems, allocating said computer components to said computer systems based upon said user entries, and tracking the quantities of said computer components thereby allocated to computer systems sold by said seller to said purchasers during a selected time period. There is presented to the seller a tiered structure of financial incentive levels offered by the distributer based upon said quantities of allocated computer components and enabling the distributer to dynamically modify the levels of said tiered structure of financial incentives. Further means are included for enabling the seller to offer to the purchasers financial incentives for accepting seller proposed modifications in said allocated quantities of components to thereby permit the seller to reach said incentive levels. With such a configuration system, the distributor, seller and purchasers are afforded the ongoing opportunity to adjust or 'tune' their needs in order to maximize their financial benefits.