PCT
`
`WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION
`International Bureau
`
`
`
`INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`
`(51) International Patent Classification 7 :
`
`(11) International Publication Number:
`
`WO 00/28438
`
`G06F 17/30
`
`(43) International Publication Date:
`
`18 May 2000 (18.05.00)
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`
`PCT/US99/25886
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`
`4 November 1999 (04.11.99)
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`09/ 1 86,927
`09/253, 1 1 2
`
`6 November 1998 (06.11.98)
`19 February 1999 (19.02.99)
`
`US
`US
`
`US):
`except
`States
`designated
`all
`(for
`(71) Applicant
`1790—10
`162,
`INC.
`[US/US]; Suite
`EFIRMS.COM,
`East Market Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (US).
`
`(72) Inventors; and
`(75) Inventors/Applicants (for US only): THOMAS, Brian, Christo—
`pher [—/US]; 1042 C N. Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA
`22801 (US). OSBORNE, Jason, Daniel [—IUS]; Apartment
`B, 1449 Devon Lane, Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (US).
`
`(74) Agent: MATNEY, W., Jackson, Jr.; Milbank, Tweed, Hadley
`& McCloy LLP, International Square Building, 1825 Eye
`Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20006 (US).
`
`(81) Designated States: AE, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG,
`BR, BY, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, EE,
`ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP,
`KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MD,
`MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD,
`SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, UA, UG, US, UZ,
`VN, YU, ZA, ZW, ARIPO patent (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW,
`SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZW), Eurasian patent (AM, AZ, BY,
`KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), European patent (AT, BE, CH,
`CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL,
`PT, SE), OAPI patent (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN,
`GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`Published
`
`With international search report.
`Before the expiration of the time limit for amending the
`claims and to be republished in the event of the receipt of
`amendments.
`
`information.
`
`(54) Title: SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING BUSINESS INFORMATION
`
`(57) Abstract
`
`An apparatus, method and data structure for communicating business information, including outsourcing information. Contractors
`provide information regarding their products and services into the system (170). Outsourcing companies search a database (220) containing
`contractor information (230) to determine which contractors meet a particular search criteria. Selected contractors receive project information
`(240) and, optionally, a bid template (270). Bid information is supplied to the system. The system prepares a table of bid information
`that is sent to the outsourcing companies for review. Evaluation information relating to contractors and outsourcing companies is obtained
`from both outsourcing companies and contractors and is provided to outsourcing companies and contractors as part of the bid and project
`
`Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.1/54)
`
`Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.1/54)
`
`

`

`Zimbabwe
`
`Codes used to identify States party to the PCT on the front pages of pamphlets publishing international applications under the PCT.
`Albania
`ES
`FI
`Armenia
`FR
`Austria
`Australia
`GA
`GB
`Azerbaijan
`GE
`Bosnia and Herzegovina
`Barbados
`GH
`GN
`Belgium
`Burkina Faso
`GR
`HU
`Bulgaria
`IE
`Benin
`IL
`Brazil
`Belarus
`IS
`Canada
`IT
`JP
`Central African Republic
`KE
`Congo
`Switzerland
`KG
`Céte d’Ivoire
`KP
`Cameroon
`China
`Cuba
`Czech Republic
`Germany
`Denmark
`Estonia
`
`FOR THE PURPOSES OF INFORMATION ONLY
`
`Spain
`Finland
`France
`Gabon
`United Kingdom
`Georgia
`Ghana
`Guinea
`Greece
`Hungary
`Ireland
`Israel
`Iceland
`Italy
`Japan
`Kenya
`Kyrgyzstan
`Democratic People’s
`Republic of Korea
`Republic of Korea
`Kazakstan
`Saint Lucia
`Liechtenstein
`Sri Lanka
`Liberia
`
`KR
`KZ
`LC
`LI
`LK
`LR
`
`SI
`SK
`SN
`SZ
`TD
`TG
`TJ
`TM
`TR
`TT
`UA
`UG
`US
`UZ
`VN
`YU
`ZW
`
`Slovenia
`Slovakia
`Senegal
`Swaziland
`Chad
`Togo
`Tajikistan
`Turkmenistan
`Turkey
`Trinidad and Tobago
`Ukraine
`Uganda
`United States of America
`Uzbekistan
`Viet Nam
`Yugoslavia
`
`LS
`LT
`LU
`LV
`MC
`MD
`MG
`MK
`
`ML
`MN
`MR
`MW
`MX
`NE
`NL
`NO
`NZ
`PL
`PT
`RO
`RU
`SD
`SE
`56
`
`Lesotho
`Lithuania
`Luxembourg
`Latvia
`Monaco
`Republic of Moldova
`Madagascar
`The former Yugoslav
`Republic of Macedonia
`Mali
`Mongolia
`Mauritania
`Malawi
`Mexico
`Niger
`Netherlands
`Norway
`New Zealand
`Poland
`Portugal
`Romania
`Russian Federation
`Sudan
`Sweden
`Singapore
`
`Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.2/54)
`
`Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.2/54)
`
`

`

`WO 00/28438
`
`PCT/US99/25886
`
`SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING BUSINESS INFORMATION
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention relates in general to an apparatus, method and data structure for
`
`providing business information, including outsourcing information, to assist businesses
`
`in meeting their needs for providing and obtaining a variety of services. More
`
`particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus, method and data structure for
`
`facilitating communications between contractors and outsourcing companies that
`
`include marketing and search mechanisms, bid management, contractor and outsourcing
`
`company assessment, and other various features.
`
`Recently, businesses have turned increasingly to outsourcing work that would be
`
`either cost—prohibitive to do in-house or outside of their primary business. Because
`
`most outsourcing companies currently use only a few, select contractors with whom they
`
`have close ties, significant inefficiencies exist that result in a glut of smaller firms not
`
`having access to these outsourcing companies. Further, outsourcing companies are
`
`denied competitive pricing due to a limited pool of contractors and occasionally have
`
`difficulty finding qualified applicants to perform highly skilled work.
`
`Businesses can also use a middleman or broker to aide their procurement of
`
`services. A broker's success is highly dependent on access to market information
`
`regarding various goods or services. Although brokers can procure goods and services
`
`at reasonable rates and can save time for outsourcing companies, brokers are expensive
`
`and their expertise is typically limited to a particular industry or a limited number of
`
`industries. To the extent that buyers and sellers of goods and services have access to
`
`market information, they can procure goods and services at market; however, gaining
`
`such access is a time-intensive activity.
`
`Buyers and sellers can also use umbrella firms to outsource various projects.
`
`Umbrella firms seek to establish a contractual relationship with outsourcing firms, who
`
`are generally searching for six- to thirty-six-month contracts. The umbrella firms profit
`
`by receiving contracts and distributing the contracts to the firms working under their
`
`umbrellas. Often, the umbrella firms provide some traditional business services such as
`
`bookkeeping, accounting, and billing to the other firms under the umbrella.
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`10
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`15
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`25
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`Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.3/54)
`
`Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.3/54)
`
`

`

`WO 00/28438
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`PCT/US99/25886
`
`The deficiencies associated with past methods, including the use of brokers and
`
`umbrella firms, are that they are time intensive, utilize slow processes, draw from a
`
`limited pool of contractors, are expensive, and are inefficient.
`
`The foregoing demonstrates that there is a need for an invention which greatly
`
`reduces the time required to identify and procure services, improves pricing due to
`
`substantial competition, and accomplishes these goals at competitive prices.
`
`The invention also relates to an apparatus, method and data structure for
`
`providing business information, including job posting information, to assist businesses
`
`in meeting their needs for providing and obtaining a variety of services. More
`
`particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus, method and data structure for
`
`facilitating communications between potential employers and potential employees that
`
`include marketing and search mechanisms, application and job posting management,
`
`employer and employee assessment, and other features.
`
`Recently, businesses have turned increasingly to use of databases, such as those
`
`found on the Internet, to post job opportunities and/or positions available for both
`
`temporary and longer-term needs. The known processes lack a manner by which an
`
`employer can readily screen job applicants and whereby potential employees can easily
`
`obtain information relating to the assessment of particular employers. Additionally, a
`
`job seeker is unaware ofjobs that are posted on a database after the job seeker conducts
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`a search of the database.
`
`The foregoing demonstrates that there is a need for an invention which allows an
`
`employer to efficiently identify suitable job applicants and permits applicants to assess
`
`multiple positions and employers and to receive updates regarding new job postings.
`
`25
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention satisfies the need and avoids the drawbacks of the prior art by
`
`providing an apparatus, method and data structure that set forth an interactive venue for
`
`firms of all sizes, both to showcase their talent and to identify contractors meeting their
`
`outsourcing requirements. Outsourcing companies may be provided with access to a
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`30
`
`network of independent contractors, both in order to find new business and to contract
`
`work out. Access to this network condenses the process of locating and hiring
`
`independent contractors from weeks or months into an afternoon.
`
`In addition to the
`
`' 2 '
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`Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.4/54)
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`Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.4/54)
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`

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`WO 00/28438
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`PCT/US99/25886
`
`time savings associated with the procurement of services, the invention provides cost
`
`benefits in that the existence of a substantial pool of available contractors eliminates the
`
`inflated billing rates that may result from a lack of competition. Due to the economies
`
`of scale for business information, the invention can accomplish the above goals at a
`
`competitive cost. The invention also offers an assortment of databases to enable firms
`
`to locate information and solutions to an abundance of business problems and
`
`opportunities.
`
`According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for and a method of
`
`communicating outsourcing information between an outsourcing company and a
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`10
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`plurality of contractors are set forth. The apparatus and method may include the
`
`structure for and steps of logging onto an on-line database by each of the plurality of
`
`contractors, inserting contractor information into a plurality of requisite fields in a form
`
`provided by the on-line database by each of the plurality of contractors, and storing the
`
`contractor information in the on-line database. A user—such as an outsourcing
`
`company—may conduct a search on the on-line database for outsourcing information
`
`using skill criteria and may select a subset of contractors to receive outsourcing
`
`information associated with the outsourcing opportunity. The system may then
`
`preferentially transmit the outsourcing information and a bid form to the subset of
`
`contractors, accept bid information from a further subset of contractors, place the bid
`
`information in a report, and send the outsourcing company the report or an address
`
`15
`
`20
`
`identifying the location of the report on the database to permit the outsourcing company
`
`to compare and contrast the bid information received from the contractors.
`
`The outsourcing company may limit its search to a specific universe of
`
`contractors or may choose to simply identify all contractors meeting its search criteria.
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`25
`
`System users, including contractors and outsourcing companies, may provide an
`
`assessment of a project, contractor or outsourcing company by entering information into
`
`an evaluation form which may be accessed by future users. The apparatus and method
`
`may include assigning passwords to users to allow future use of the system and the
`
`option of entering a sales associate identification number so that sales commissions may
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`30
`
`be tracked.
`
`In another aspect of the invention, a system for communicating outsourcing
`
`information between an outsourcing company and a contractor contains a computer-
`
`- 3 -
`
`Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.5/54)
`
`Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.5/54)
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`

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`WO 00/28438
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`PCT/US99/25886
`
`readable memory for storing data for access by an application program and includes a
`
`data structure stored in the computer—readable memory. The data structure may include
`
`information used by the application program and may contain a log-in field having log-
`
`in information associated with each of the plurality of contractors; a plurality of
`
`contractor information fields for inserting contractor information into a form by each of
`
`the plurality of contractors; and a plurality of specific skill criteria fields for searching
`
`the plurality of contractor information fields. Additionally, the data structure may
`
`include a plurality of first subset fields for identifying a first subset of the plurality of
`
`contractors to receive the outsourcing information; a plurality of outsourcing
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`10
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`15
`
`information fields for sending the outsourcing information and, optionally, a bid form to
`
`the first subset of the plurality of contractors; a plurality of bid fields for accepting bid
`
`information from a second subset of the plurality of contractors on the bid form; a bid
`
`information table field for placing the bid information; and an address field for
`
`identifying an address of the bid information table to permit the outsourcing company to
`
`compare and contrast the bid information received from the second subset of the
`
`contractors.
`
`The data structure of the computer-readable memory may include a password
`
`assigning field for assigning a password to outsourcing companies and contractors; and
`
`a sales associate field for entering a sales associate number. The data structure of the
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`20
`
`computer-readable memory may also include a plurality of evaluation fields for
`
`providing evaluation forms to permit a plurality of users to comment on and evaluate the
`
`on—line database and the plurality of users, including outsourcing companies and
`
`contractors, wherein the completed evaluation forms may be routed to a controller of the
`
`on-line database for future access by users.
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`25
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`30
`
`The plurality of first subset fields may be used for selecting a first subset of
`
`contractors in an automatic or manual mode. The automatic mode permits selection of a
`
`set number of contractors meeting the specific skill criteria of the outsourcing company.
`
`In the manual mode, the outsourcing company may limit its search to specifically
`
`identified contractors.
`
`The invention also satisfies the need and avoids the drawbacks of the prior art by
`
`providing an apparatus, method and data structure that set forth an interactive venue for
`
`firms of all sizes to advertise and identify various job opportunities for all types of
`
`' 4 ‘
`
`Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.6/54)
`
`Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.6/54)
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`

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`WO 00/28438
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`PCT/US99/25886
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`positions and durations while persons seeking job opportunities are given access to a
`
`network of employers having available positions. Access to this network greatly
`
`reduces the time and costs associated with the process of locating and hiring employees
`
`as the invention provides employers with a comprehensive transmission of promising
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`5
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`job candidates. For job seekers, the invention provides a easy and reliable tool to
`
`identify job opportunities. A job seeker may receive a ranked, comprehensive listing of
`
`available positions meeting the job seeker‘s criteria from employers that post jobs
`
`before—and after—the job seeker searches the database ofjob opportunities.
`
`According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for and a method of
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`10
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`15
`
`communicating job information between a job seeker and a plurality of employers are
`
`set forth. The apparatus and method may include the structure for and steps of logging
`
`onto an on—line database by each of a plurality of employers, inserting job information
`
`into a plurality of requisite fields in a form provided by the on-line database by each of
`
`the plurality of employers, and storing the job information in the on—line database. A
`
`user~——such as a job seeker-may conduct a search on the on-line database for job
`
`information using specific criteria and may select a subset of employers to receive
`
`information relating to the job seeker. The system may then preferentially transmit the
`
`job seeker information to the subset of employers, accept reply information from a
`
`further subset of contractors, place the reply information in a report, and send the job
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`20
`
`seeker the report or an address identifying the location of the report on the database to
`
`permit the job seeker to compare and contrast the reply information received from the
`
`employers.
`
`The invention may also permit an employer the option of creating a mini—
`
`application—specific to the employer's needs—from a database ofjob seeker
`
`25
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`30
`
`application questions in another aspect. The questions selected by the employer may be
`
`referenced to the employer's job posting and stored on the database. The mini-
`
`application may be made available to job seekers who may complete and store responses
`
`on the database and then may be made available to employers. Additionally, system
`
`users, including employers and job seekers, may provide an assessment of other system
`
`users by entering information into an evaluation form which may be accessed by future
`
`users. The apparatus and method may include assigning passwords to users to allow
`
`' 5 '
`
`Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.7/54)
`
`Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.7/54)
`
`

`

`WO 00/28438
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`PCT/US99/25886
`
`future use of the system and the option of entering a sales associate identification
`
`number so that sales commissions may be tracked.
`
`In another aspect of the invention, a system for communicating job information
`
`between a job seeker and an employer or employers contains a computer-readable
`
`memory for storing data for access by an application program and includes a data
`
`structure stored in the computer-readable memory. The data structure may include
`
`information used by the application program and may contain a log-in field having log-
`
`in information associated with each of the plurality of employers; a plurality of
`
`employer information fields for inserting employer information into a form by each of
`
`the plurality of employers; and a plurality of specific skill criteria fields for searching
`
`the plurality of employer information fields. Additionally, the data structure may
`
`include a plurality of first subset fields for identifying a first subset of the plurality of
`
`employers to receive job seeker information; a plurality ofjob seeker information fields
`
`for sending the job seeker information to the first subset of the plurality of employers; a
`
`plurality of reply fields for accepting reply information from a second subset of the
`
`plurality of employers; a reply information table field for placing the reply information;
`
`and an address field for identifying an address of the reply information table to permit
`
`the job seeker to compare and contrast the reply information received from the second
`
`subset of the contractors.
`
`The data structure of the computer-readable memory may include a password
`
`assigning field for assigning a password to job seekers and employers; and a sales
`
`associate field for entering a sales associate number. The data structure of the
`
`computer-readable memory may also include a plurality of evaluation fields for
`
`providing evaluation forms to permit a plurality of users to comment on and evaluate the
`
`on-line database and the plurality of users, including job seekers and employers, wherein
`the completed evaluation forms may be routed to a controller of the on-line database for
`
`'
`
`future access by users and insertion into tables and reports transmitted between
`
`employers and job seekers. The data structure may also include a plurality of
`
`application question fields for selection by employers, mini-application question fields
`
`for eliciting responses from job seekers, job seeker information fields for inserting job
`
`seeker information, and job seeker specific criteria fields for storing job seeker search
`
`information.
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`- 6 '
`
`Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.8/54)
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`Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.8/54)
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`

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`WO 00/28438
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`PCT/US99/25886
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Figure 1 illustrates a client-server network for a preferred embodiment of the
`
`invention.
`
`Figure 2A and 2B illustrate a flow of data entry and transmission for a preferred
`
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`Figure 3 illustrates typical data entered by a contractor and transmitted to the
`
`database according to the principles of the invention.
`
`Figure 4 illustrates typical skill criteria entered by an outsourcing company and
`
`transmitted to the database according to the principles of the invention.
`
`Figure 5 illustrates a typical search results template that is transmitted to an
`
`outsourcing company according to the principles of the invention.
`
`Figure 6 illustrates a typical bid template transmitted to a selected contractor
`
`according to the principles of the invention.
`
`Figures 7A and 7B illustrate bid information reports generated based upon
`
`contractors’ submitted bid information according to the principles of the invention.
`
`Figure 8 illustrates a contractor evaluation template useful for providing
`
`contractor assessment by outsourcing companies according to the principles of the
`
`invention.
`
`Figure 9 illustrates an evaluation report for contractors according to the
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`20
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`principles of the invention.
`
`Figure 10 illustrates an outsourcing company evaluation template for providing
`
`assessment of an outsourcing company by contractors according to the principles of the
`
`invention.
`
`Figure 11 illustrates an evaluation report for outsourcing companies according to
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`25
`
`the principles of the invention.
`
`Figure 12 illustrates a sales associate template for entering pertinent sales
`
`associate information according to the principles of the invention.
`
`Figure 13 illustrates the flow of data entry and transmission for another preferred
`
`embodiment of the invention.
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`30
`
`Figure 14 illustrates typical data entered by an employer and transmitted to the
`
`database according to the principles of the invention.
`
`' 7 ‘
`
`Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.9/54)
`
`Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.9/54)
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`

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`WO 00/28438
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`PCT/US99/25886
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`Figure 15 illustrates typical job search criteria entered by a job seeker and
`
`transmitted to the database according to the principles of the invention.
`
`Figure 16 illustrates a typical search results template that is transmitted to a job
`
`seeker according to the principles of the invention.
`
`Figure 17 illustrates a reply information report generated based upon employers'
`
`submitted information according to the principles of the invention.
`
`Figure 18 illustrates a portion of an application question template according to
`
`the principles of the invention.
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`10
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Figure 1 shows a system 10 for communicating outsourcing information
`
`according to one aspect of the invention. The system 10 depicted in Figure 1 includes a
`
`server 12 having a memory 14, and a database 16 defined in the memory 14. The server
`
`12 may be an ALPHA server, a minicomputer, a microcomputer, a UNIX machine, a
`
`mainframe computer, a personal computer with an Intel Pentium processor, a Macintosh
`
`personal computer, or any other suitable computer. The memory 14 is preferably non-
`
`volatile (e.g., CD-ROM, hard disk, tape drive, etc). The server 12 has a central
`
`processing unit (CPU) 18, input devices such as a keyboard and mouse (not shown),
`
`output devices such as a monitor and printer (not shown), random access memory
`
`(RAM) 20, read-only memory (ROM) 22, serial and parallel ports (not shown), and
`
`communication hardware 24. The communication hardware 24 may connect the server
`
`12 to the Internet. In a preferred embodiment, the server 12 is a World Wide Web
`
`server connected to the Internet. Preferably, the server 12 has an operating system that
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`15
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`2O
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`is capable of multiple users and multi-tasking, such as UNIX, Windows NT, or LINUX.
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`25
`
`Figure 1 also demonstrates the inclusion of one or more client machines 26 which
`
`communicate with the server 12. Figure 1 does not disclose the specific
`
`interconnections between and among the various components in the server as this
`
`information is well known.
`
`The client machines 26 may be connected to the server 12 by communication
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`30
`
`links 28. The communication links 28 between the server 12 and the client machines 26
`
`may include a large variety of connections, including a telephone link, a hard—wired
`
`connection, a satellite link or other wireless connection, an Internet connection, a local
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`- 8 -
`
`Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.10/54)
`
`Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.10/54)
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`WO 00/28438
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`PCT/US99/25886
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`area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), any combination of the preceding, or
`
`any other suitable type of connection. Multiple client machines 26 may communicate
`
`simultaneously with the server 12, and each connection may be by a different type of
`
`link (e.g., one connection may be by telephone while another may be by the Internet).
`
`As discussed above, the server 12 connects to communication links 28 via
`
`communication hardware 24.
`
`After a link is established between the server 12 and a client machine 26,
`
`communication may take place via a variety of communication protocols, including file
`
`transfer protocol (FTP), electronic mail (e-mail), transfer control protocol/Intemet
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`10
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`protocol (TCP/IP), ASCII, X-MODEM, Y-MODEM, KERMIT, any combination of the
`
`preceding protocols, or any other suitable type of protocol.
`
`In a preferred embodiment, the server 12 is an ALPHA server. With this
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`platform, CPUs, memory, networking capabilities, storage, and software may be
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`modified as appropriate to meet specific requirements. One preferred platform is an
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`15
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`ALPHA 2000 4/275, which features 128 MB of memory, a CD-ROM drive, a 4.3 GB
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`redundant array of independent disks (RAID), an 8 GB tape backup, and a 100 base-T
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`network interface. The selection of a suitable server requires consideration of CPU
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`speed as well as disk subsystem performance and network bandwidth. For example, a
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`disk with a 7200 RPM rotational speed may be a suitable disk subsystem. Once the
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`20
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`RAID is selected (RAID 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5), the size of the database and its projected
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`growth must be analyzed as part of the known design considerations.
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`The database on the server 12 may be of any suitable type. One type of server
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`commonly used for large database applications is Oracle. Oracle is an extremely
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`powerful and flexible relational database system. Procedural Language/Standard Query
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`25
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`Language (PL/SQL) is a sophisticated programming language used to access the Oracle
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`database from various environments. The Oracle database combines the power and
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`flexibility of SQL (a fourth generation language (4GL)) with the procedural constructs
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`of a third generation language (3GL). PL/SQL is integrated with the database server, so
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`that the PL/SQL code may be processed quickly and efficiently. Another important tool
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`30
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`that PL/SQL provides is designed for data manipulation both internally (i.e., within
`
`Oracle) and externally in applications.
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`' 9 ‘ Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.11/54)
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`Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.11/54)
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`

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`WO 00/28438
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`PCT/US99/25886
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`PL/SQL extends regular SQL by adding constructs found in other procedural
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`languages. Another advantage of PL/SQL is that several SQL statements may be
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`bundled together into one PL/SQL block and sent to the server as a single unit. This
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`results in considerably lowered network traffic and a much faster application.
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`Another preferred database that may be employed is Oracle8i. The Oracle8i
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`database is useful for Internet applications and manages the content, data and files
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`typically managed by an operating system. Oracle8i has a Java Virtual Machine, a
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`native Java compiler and a feature called Internet File System (iFS), which provides the
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`ability to store, query and manage a wide range of relational and non-relational data
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`within the database.
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`iFS, written in Java, allows users to store 164 data types, including
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`spreadsheets, word processing documents, Web pages and e-mail, within the database
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`and retrieve them either in native file format or in HyperText Markup Language
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`(HTML) through a browser.
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`iFS indexes each file automatically and gives users
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`enhanced security, database search capabilities, backup and recovery.
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`Other features in Oracle8i include WebDB, a environment run through a browser
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`that enables developers to dynamically generate Web content and pages; SQLJ, a
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`programming syntax that embeds SQL database statements into client or server Java
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`code; and interMedia, a system for managing rich data types used over the Web. Of
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`course, other database systems may be utilized according to the invention.
`
`In a preferred embodiment, as seen in Figs. 1, 2A, and 2B, a contractor uses a
`
`client machine 26 to connect to the server 12 via a communication link 28. The
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`contractor may then log onto the database 16, as seen at step 100. Optionally, a
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`password may be required of the contractor, as seen at step 1 10. If a password is
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`required and the contractor has not used the system previously, as seen at step 120, the
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`contractor is given a password by the server 12, as seen at step 130; otherwise the
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`contractor must enter a password, as seen at step 140. Another optional feature is that
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`the contractor may enter a sales associate identification number corresponding to an
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`agent who procured the contractor's use of the system, as seen at steps 150 and 160.
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`Figure 2A does not illustrate additional steps for repeating the requests for a password
`
`and a sales associate number if the contractor enters incorrect data, as these additional
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`steps are known. A contractor who has used the system previously has the option of
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`editing or deleting the contractor’s record (not shown).
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`' 10 ' Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.12/54)
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`Monster worldwide, Inc. Exhibit 1020 (p.12/54)
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`WO 00/28438
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`PCT/US99/25886
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`After logging onto the server 12, a contractor may enter pertinent information
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`into the database 16 concerning the contractor, including the contractor's field of
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`business, length of time in business, number of employees, dates and times of
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`availability, etc., as seen at step 170. An example of the various data entered by the
`
`contractor at step 170 is shown in Figure 3. A wide variety of data may be entered at
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`step 170 and is not limited to the types listed above. For example, other information
`
`may include placing the fee for routine services in the contractor's business description,
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`pricing for limited periods of time, special offers, and the like.
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`An outsourcing company may connect to the server 12 from a client machine 26
`
`via a communication link 28, as is seen at step 200. Optionally, the outsourcing
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`company may also be required to enter a password or other identifying information,
`
`including a sales associate identification number, as discussed above (not shown). Once
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`connected, the outsourcing company may enter specific skill criteria indicating the
`
`qualifications required of a contractor into the database 16. This is seen at step 210. An
`
`example of skill criteria that may be entered by the outsourcing company is
`
`demonstrated in Figure 4. Steps 200 and 210 are independent from steps 100-170.
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`Therefore, steps 200 and 210 may be performed by one or more outsourcing companies
`
`before, during or after any of steps 100-170 are performed by one or more contractors.
`
`Once the contractor information is entered into the database 16 by one or more
`
`contractors, a search may be performed using server 12 to identify contractors meeting
`
`the skill criteria specified by the outsourcing company at step 210. This search is seen
`
`at step 220. For example, the outsourcing company may be seeking contractors who (I)
`
`perform carpentry work, (2) have more than 25 employees, (3) are available during
`
`January 1999, and (4) have more than ten years’ experience. Other examples include
`
`looking for a programmer to provide a payroll program in C++ in two weeks, a designer
`
`to provide a graphic design of a logo in a month, and the like. It is understood that this
`
`search may take place on the server 12 whether or not any contractors or outsourcing
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`companies are currently logged into the server 12. Once the search of the database 16 is
`
`performed for the specific skill crite