It is the automated vendor selection procedure for procuring custom goods and services
The U.S. Patent Office has awarded e-LYNXX Corporation a series of Automated Vendor Selection patents, including Patent No. 6,397,197, Patent No. 7,451,106, post-Bilski Patent No. 7,788,143, and Continuing Application 12/855,423 (collectively, the “AVS Technology®”). This thicket of patents covers all custom goods and services, not just print.

AVS Technology® is an automated procedure for selecting vendors of custom goods and services that must be defined by production or performance specifications at the time of purchase. This procedure is used both by system providers of procurement or supply chain solutions and by the buying organizations themselves. It applies to all computer-operated systems that match vendor attributes with project specifications to identify vendors qualified to bid on custom goods and services.

Custom and other specification-defined goods and services differ from pre-stocked or inventoried items in that they must be specifically manufactured or provided to meet particular buyer requirements. Consequently, custom goods and services cannot simply be purchased off the shelf at fixed prices appearing on standard price lists. Instead, their prices are established after the exact goods or services are actually specified. Only then can the manufacturer or service provider assess the precise production or performance specifications required to do the project.

AVS Technology® covers any custom goods and services that are ordered to precise and unique specifications and produced following confirmation of order. AVS Technology® has universal application and is not restricted to any industry or area of spend management. Examples are commercial print, direct mail, labels, marketing materials, publications, packaging, creative services, temporary staffing, textiles, automotive and other machined parts, specialized tools, medical instruments, extruded products, transportation, trucking, construction services and many more.