WO2003025819A1

WO2003025819A1 - Method and system for exporting leasing information from an automated leasing system

Info

Publication number: WO2003025819A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/028882
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ken Johnson
Original assignee: Gelco Corporation
Priority date: 2001-09-14
Filing date: 2001-09-14
Publication date: 2003-03-27

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and system exporting leasing information from an automated leasing system, including the tagging of the relevant leasing information and copying that information to an external system. The invention may utilize an external system, a link system, a server, and a communication pathway to electronically export leasing information from an automated leasing system to an external system.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EXPORTING LEASING INFORMATION FROM AN AUTOMATED LEASING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] This invention relates to a method and system for providing automated quotes for leases and loans and transfer of that information for lease maintenance. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and system for providing real quotes for a vehicle lease or loan and, upon agreement, transferring the finalized information to an external system for lease maintenance purposes.

Background

[002] In order to lease a piece of equipment, such as a vehicle, a lessee typically visits a dealer of the equipment and arranges for certain of the terms for a lease of the piece of equipment. The dealer or, more appropriately, vendor, who typically is not the lessor of the equipment, may then arrange for the lease with a lessor of the equipment, which may be a financing company or a company that arranges for leases for a large number of entities. This party, the lessor of the equipment, may then arrange for a lease of the equipment. The term "vendor" will be used to refer to any customer of the lessor, which may include dealers, brokers, outfitters, original equipment manufacturers, or private label partners such as other leasing companies. Although this invention is applicable to any type of equipment that may be leased, the specific embodiments of this invention detailed below relate to vehicle leases.

[003] The lessor of a vehicle may arrange for a number of functions in order to effect a vehicle lease. These functions include: (1) generating a quote for the lease, (2) generating and processing a credit application for the lease, (3) documenting the lease, (4) funding the lease, (5) generating reports for the lease, and (6) generating hardcopies of relevant information and transferring the information to be manually entered into a system in another department for lease maintenance purposes. These functions are typically carried out through facsimile, mailing, and human processing of documents. For instance, in order for the lessor to generate a quote for a vehicle (such as a monthly payment over a certain number of months), the vendor will work out a price for a specific vehicle, a residual value, a length of the lease, and fees, such as a vendor fee and a documentation fee. After this information has been transmitted to the lessor, the lessor may process the information and transmit the specific payment terms for the lease to the vendor. In order to generate the specific payment terms for the lease, the lessor may need to consider the amount of money it will make off the lease (a profit margin), which may be driven by lending rates (interest rate charged to the lessee of the vehicle) and borrowing rates (interest rate charged by a lender to the lessor of the vehicle), by the class of vehicle, by specific options for the vehicle, or by a number of other factors that the lessor may consider to be important. Figure 2 shows one embodiment of the typical process for generating quotes, requesting and processing credit applications, documenting a lease, and funding for the lease.

[004] - Processing credit applications for lessees is typically a time-consuming and costly process that has, in the past, required significant amounts of human intervention. After a lessee of a vehicle has reviewed the quote and decided to lease the vehicle, the lessee may fill out a credit application. This credit application may then be mailed or sent via facsimile to the lessor, who determines the credit worthiness of the lessee-applicant. Such credit scoring may be further complicated in the case of leases of fleets of vehicles, where a corporate entity will make lease payments, but where an employee of the corporate entity will drive the vehicle, h such a case, the credit worthiness of both the corporate entity and the corporate owner(s) may be scored. [005] If the lessee successfully passes the credit check, specific documents to accomplish the lease may need to be generated, completed by the lessee and vendor, and then sent to the lessor. After the transaction has been documented, funding for the lease may be carried out, and then reports for the lease may be generated.

[006] Because the vendor of a vehicle typically chooses the financing company or lessor, a lessor can generate more business by providing for a simple, efficient quoting and credit system that saves the vendor time and energy in closing a deal. The typical process outlined above for processing a quote and credit check for a lease has a number of disadvantages. At the very least, it takes a large amount of time, perhaps on the order of several days, to complete the quote, credit check, documentation process, and the physical transfer of billing and invoice information to external systems. Additionally, a significant amount of time and human intervention may be required by the lessor to generate quotes, perform credit scoring, and generate documents for leases. This time and human intervention leads to inefficiencies that may result in high transaction costs for the lessor. In addition, the time delay may be annoying to the lessee and vendor of the vehicle, and may lead to lost leases due to time delays.

[007] A need exists for an automated quoting system and method that may generate accurate quotes for leases in a short amount of time, that is convenient, and that is simple to use. A need also exists for an automated credit scoring and processing method and system that is easy to use, quick, efficient, and that decreases the amount of human intervention required to approve a credit application. Furthermore, a need exists for a method and system for automating the generation of documentation for leases.

Summary

[008] One embodiment of the invention is an automated method for exporting leasing information from an automated leasing system. This embodiment of the invention includes tagging leasing information on a server; scanning the server for the tagged information; identifying the information; and transferring at least a portion of the information to an external system.

[009] Another embodiment is an automated system for exporting leasing information from an automated leasing system. The system has a server and a communication path. The server has memory and a processor having a program to store leasing information, tag the information, scan the server for the information, identify the information, and transfer at least a portion of the information to an external system. The communication path electronically links the server to the external site. Description of the Drawings

[010] Figure 1 is a block diagram overview of a client-server system in which the present invention functions;

[011] Figure 2 is a process flow chart illustrating the typical process for generating quotes and for scoring credit applicants;

[012] Figure 3 is a flow chart showing one embodiment of the invention;

[013] Figure 4 is a flow chart showing one embodiment of a credit application and approval process;

[014] Figure 5 is a flow chart showing one embodiment of a credit approval process of the invention;

[015] Figure 6 is a flow chart showing one embodiment of a documentation process of the invention;

[016] Figure 7 is a flow chart showing a second embodiment of a documentation process of the invention; [017] Figure 8 is a flow chart showing two embodiments of the transfer step of the invention.

[018] Figure 9 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering information to request a quote;

[019] Figure 10 is diagram of a second web page for use at the client computer for entering information to request a quote;

[020] Figure 11 is a block chart of the inputs, calculations, and interest rates used in one embodiment of a quote generation process of the invention;

[021] Figure 12 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering customer information for a credit application;

[022] Figure 13 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering owner information for a credit application;

[023] Figure 14 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering creditor information for a credit application;

[024] Figure 15 is diagram of a second web page for use at the client computer for entering creditor information for a credit application;

[025] Figure 16 is diagram of a second web page for use at the client computer for entering guarantor information for a credit application;

[026] Figure 17 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering insurance information for a credit application;

[027] Figure 18 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering hazards information for a credit application; [028] Figure 19 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering signature information for a credit application;

[029] Figure 20 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for checking on the status of quote requests in credit applications;

[030] Figure 21 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for checking on the status of deal requests in credit applications;

[031] Figure 22 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for checking on the status of sales reports in credit applications;

[032] Figure 23 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering vendor information for a vendor profile;

[033] Figure 24 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering contacts information for a vendor profile;

[034] Figure 25 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering vendor administration information for a vendor profile;

[035] Figure 26 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering funding information for a vendor profile;

[036] Figure 27 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering pricing information for a vendor profile;

[037] Figure 28 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering vendor status information for a vendor profile;

[038] Figure 29 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering vendor information for an internal quote request; [039] Figure 30 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering vehicle and financing information for an internal quote request;

[040] Figure 31 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering contributed value information for an internal quote request;

[041] Figure 32 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering credit score information for an analyst summary;

[042] Figure 33 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering credit analysis information for an analyst summary;

[043] Figure 34 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering credit analysis information for an analyst summary;

[044] Figure 35 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering quote information for an analyst summary;

[045] Figure 36 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering deal information for an analyst summary;

[046] Figure 37 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering deal funding information for an analyst summary;

[047] Figure 38 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering documents information for an analyst summary;

[048] Figure 39 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for selecting a report to be generated;

[049] Figure 40 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer for entering document tracking information; [050] Figure 41 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer as a menu for selecting an administration screen;

[051] Figure 42 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer as a menu for entering relationship information for administration and maintenance purposes;

[052] Figure 43 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer as a menu for entering program information for administration and maintenance purposes;

[053] Figure 44 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer as a menu for entering sales territory information for administration and maintenance purposes;

[054] Figure 45 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer as a menu for entering user assignment information for administration and maintenance purposes;

[055] Figure 46 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer as a menu for entering financial information for administration and maintenance purposes;

[056] Figure 47 is diagram of a web page for use at the client computer as a menu for entering user information for administration and maintenance purposes;

[057] Figure 48 is diagram of an embodiment of a lease proposal that may be used to transmit a quote to a vendor; and

[058] Figure 49 is diagram of an embodiment of a notice of credit approval that may be used to provide notification of an approved lease. Detailed Description

A. General Overview

[059] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustration of the environment of one embodiment of the present invention, which is a network based on a client-server model. The network comprises one or more servers 10 which are accessible by one or more clients 14, such as personal computers or telephones. Figure 1 illustrates a user interface device as the client 14, which may be either a client computer, a touch tone telephone, or another interface device known to those skilled in the art. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, as used throughout this specification the term "client" refers to a client computer (or machine) on a network, or to a process or programs, such as Web browsers, which run on a client computer in order to facilitate network connectivity and communications. The servers 10 communicate with the client 14 over a communication path 12, which may be a direct dial connection, the Internet or World Wide Web ("WWW"), or other suitable telecommunications path. The term "server" will be used throughout this specification to refer to a server computer or computer system on a network, including the database attached to the server for storing information. This specification will use the term "individual" or "user" when referring to a person using a client computer to access the server and enter usage information. A suitable network protocol, such as the TCP/IP protocol, may be used for the communications. Communications may also be done in one embodiment by voice interactive technology known in the art or by pushbutton commands.

[060] The servers 10 may comprise Web servers and application servers, and may be any computer known to those skilled in the art. The Web server and the application server can be separate entities, or may exist within a single computer or computer system. This specification will refer to both possibilities as server 10. The server 10 allows access by the clients 14 to various network resources. The server 10 is linked to external systems 38, such as reporting, tracking, or billing systems, hi one embodiment, the external system 38 has a link system to facilitate communication between the server 10 and the external system 38. Figure 1 also illustrates an external server 16, which, in one embodiment, is a separate computer from the server 10. In Figure 1, this external server 16 is separated from the server 10 by a firewall 18. The firewall 18 protects the server 10 from the WWW and may be any common or custom firewall known to those skilled in the art. hi one embodiment, the server 10 has access, via direct dial or the Internet, to external data sources 20, such as credit scoring information. It is to be understood that any number of clients 14 may be connected to the server 10 at any given time, and therefore a number of vendors (using clients 14 at remote locations) may access and use the server 10 in order to carry out the invention.

1. The Client-Side

[061] The client 14 may be a client computer, which may be any computer or computers used by those skilled in the art. The client computer 14 comprises a central processor unit ("CPU") and main memory, an input / output interface for communicating with various databases, files, programs, and networks (such as the Internet), and one or more storage devices. The storage devices may be disk drive devices or CD ROM devices. The client computer 14 may also have a monitor or other screen device and an input device, such as a keyboard or a mouse. In order to carry out the present invention over the Internet, the client computer 14 may also have some software programs contained in the main memory or the storage devices which can be used by the CPU. [062] In one embodiment of the present invention, the client browser 22 is a

Web browser, which is a known software tool used to access the Web via a connection obtained through an Internet access provider, may be part of the software programs on the client computer 14. A Web server may allow access to so-called "Web sites" and "Web pages." Once the Web browser has accessed these pages through the Web server, the HTML page may be downloaded through the input/output interface. The central processing unit may use the browser software package to interpret the information and display it on the monitor.

[063] The software programs 24 on the client computer 14 may also contain other software or programs which will allow the user to fill in information on the screens and to exchange data with the server 10. The programs 24 on the client computer 14 may also contain inventory and inventory control software 26 in order to track vehicle or leased equipment inventory.

2. The Server-Side

[064] Figure 1 shows a possible server configuration for the system and method of the invention. The server 10 contains software programs that run on the server-side to process requests and responses from the user's interface. In addition, in at least one embodiment, the software programs send information to the client computer 14, perform compilation and storage functions, generate reports that may be used by either the client or the system administrator, and transfer information to external sites 38. If the Internet is the user's interface, then the server 10 may also send web pages in HTML format for the user to download and interpret with his/her computer and view on a monitor.

[065] The server 10 is electronically linked to an external system 38 for the transfer of information from the server 10 to the external system 38. In one embodiment, the information is being exported from the server 10 to an external system 38 for purposes of lease maintenance after the execution of a lease agreement. The external system 38 contains a link system 40 in one embodiment. The link system 40 of several embodiments is a software program capable of transferring the information from the server 10 to the external system 38.

[066] The server 10 may be set up in a variety of different formats to perform the functions of the invention. In Figure 1, the server 10 contains application servers 30 to interface with the WWW and a number of databases 32, programs 34, and tables 36. The databases 32 may contain a variety of information, including various documents that may be used by the system and method of the invention, clients, and information on types of equipment or vehicles. The programs 34 may contain instructions, logic, and software that perform the quoting and credit scoring functions for the system and method of the invention. The table 36 may contain further information on the billing and finance aspects of the invention.

B. Operation of the Invention

[067] Figures 2-7 illustrate flow diagrams of various embodiments of the invention. Figure 2 illustrates the typical process for generating quotes and for scoring credit applicants. Figure 3 depicts various acts of the vendor/lessee and the lessor (GE Capital Fleet Services) in one embodiment of an automated quoting system and method of the invention. Figures 4-7 illustrate various other embodiments of the invention and include details on credit processing and scoring, and document generation. Figure 8 illustrates two embodiments of the typical process for identifying, tagging, and transferring the leasing information to an external system for lease maintenance. The system and method of the invention may use common database functions to sort and recognize different vendors, customers, lessees, and individual drivers. Password control may be used to restrict access to certain vendors, and only certain system administrators may have access to the programs of the invention to manipulate formulas or rates used in certain of the calculations of the invention.

1. Generating Quotes

[068] Figures 9 and 10 illustrate various information that a vendor can enter at the client computer in order to request a quote for a vehicle. In one embodiment, the information includes profile information such as a vendor name, a contact name, a phone number, vendor type, and other information as seen in Figure 9. In another embodiment, the information to request a quote also includes a make, model, and year of car, a price for the car, an asset type for the vehicle (such as non-luxury cars, luxury cars, light trucks, etc.), a residual value for the lease, a term for the lease, and other information as seen in Figure 10. After a user has entered information into the web pages of Figures 9 and 10, the user can click "calculate and save new quote" to submit the information to the server 10, or "calculate, save and delete previous quote" to delete the previously submitted information before submitting the new information to the server 10.

[069] In order to generate a quote for the lease, the lessor can use any internal model known to those skilled in the art to generate the payment terms for the lease. In one embodiment, the lessor may alter a lending interest rate, which is a rate of interest that the lessor charges the lessee for the lease. Depending on this lending interest rate, as well as the interest rate for which the lessor borrows money for its purchase of the vehicle, the lessor may determine the payment terms for the lease. In another embodiment, the lessor may look to the type of asset (or the type of vehicle), determine a desired profit for a lease of that vehicle, and then generate payment terms, including a lending rate to the lessee, based on the desired profit for the lease.

[070] Figure 11 depicts a number of the inputs 100 to a model for generating a quote for a vehicle, i the embodiment of Figure 11, these inputs are the capital cost 102 of the vehicle (which may be determined by the vendor's negotiation with the lessee), the residual value 104 of the lease, the vendor's fee 106, the documentation fee 108, the up- front fees 110, the number of months for the lease 112, and the type of asset 114, which may include specific information about the make, model, and year of the vehicle, along with options for the vehicle. A number of other inputs may also be used for quote generation, including the information depicted in Figures 9 and 10.

[071] Figure 11 also shows some of the calculations that may be performed at the server 10 when determining the payment terms for a lease. Such information may include the net present value 120 of the lease, the revenue 122 expected during the lease, the expenses 124 expected during the lease, and the contributed value 126 for the lease. In one embodiment, present value calculations may be performed to determine the present value of revenue, expenses, and contributed value 126. The contributed value 126, which may be the profit margin that the lessor expects from the lease, may be calculated in any number of methods known to those skilled in the art based on borrowing 130 and lending rates 132, monthly payments, and any variety of the other types of information shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11. In one embodiment, as noted above, the server 10 may have desired contributed values for certain types of assets, or for certain makes or models of vehicles. In such situations, the lending rate 132 to the lessee may be altered depending on the desired contributed value for the lease (assuming the borrowing rate for the lessor is not negotiable). In such a situation, the contributed value 126 will not be calculated from fixed interest rates, but instead the interest rates may be determined by an expected contributed value for the deal. It should also be noted that the lessor may wish for the calculation of other provisions based on the lease, including amortization schedules (either straight line or accelerated), interest payments the lessor will have to make on the borrowed money for the lessor's purchase of the vehicle, cash flow numbers, and information on the principle remaining to be paid. A schedule for the lease may also be generated summarizing the information for the lease.

[072] In one embodiment, a table may be generated containing the number of each month on one axis and a number of calculations on the other axis. Such calculations can include the remaining amount of the capital cost, the up-front fees, the security deposit, the payment and interest for each month, the expense for the lessor each month, tax factors, depreciation numbers, and various cash flow numbers, including a projected revenue cash flow for each month. In such an embodiment, the monthly payment may be based principally on the capital cost, residual value, lending rate, amortization schedule, and timing when payments will be made, and such a calculation may be carried out by any known accounting method known to those skilled in the art.

[073] Although the quoting method and system depicted above was described with specific references to leases, such a process could also be used for financing loans and/or for determining loan payments. In addition, the quoting system and method described above may, in one embodiment, offer accurate and final quotes instead of guideline quotes from which the lessor may deviate. In other words, the quotes automatically generated by the method and system of the invention may be real quotes to which the lessor is willing to be bound.

[074] After a credit proposal has been transmitted to the client computer 14, the lessee or vendor may be given the option to accept the proposal, modify the proposal, reject the proposal, or hold the proposal. If modified or rejected, a different proposal may be automatically generated in one embodiment of the invention, perhaps using differing interest rates, length of lease, or down payments.

2. Credit Scoring and Processing

[075] One embodiment of the method and system of the invention offers automated credit scoring and processing in addition to quoting. Figures 12-19 depict possible web pages that, in one embodiment, are presented to the lessee or vendor for entering information about the lessee that may be used for credit scoring. In one embodiment of an automated credit scoring system and method of the invention, the server 10 may be capable of automatically connecting to credit scoring services, such as Dun & Bradstreet, as depicted by external sources 20 in Figure 1. It should be noted that, although some Figures in this specification, such as one or more of Figures 3-7, may depict credit scoring that is not automated, credit scoring may be either automated or performed by humans within the scope of the invention.

3. Administrative Actions

[076] Figures 20-22 show various web pages that an administrator, such as the lessor, uses to review the status of quote requests and deal requests, along with sales reports. Figures 23-28 depict various web pages that such an administrator use to review, check, or edit certain information about different vendors. Figures 29-38 show various web pages that are used for internal quote requests and analyst summaries. Figures 39-47 show various web pages that are used for generating reports, tracking documents, and various other administration and maintenance purposes.

4. Documentation and Other Processes [077] After a lease quote has been generated and credit approval received, the server 10 may, in one embodiment, automatically generate the documentation to document the lease. Figures 3-7 depict a number of the steps of the generation of documentation for a lease transaction using the method and system of the invention. Figure 48 illustrates one embodiment of a lease proposal that may be sent from the server 10 to the client computer 14 to present the terms of a lease to the lessee. In addition to the terms of the proposal, which include the selling price, term of the lease, residual, residual percent, monthly payment, and other information, the proposal provides upfront cost information, including a tax on advance, down payment, documentation fee, title license and registration fees, and other information in Figure 48. In one embodiment, a proposal is automatically generated in the server 10 for transmission to the client computer 14 by the method and system of the invention. Figure 49 depicts one embodiment of a notice of credit approval.

5. Transfer of Maintenance-Related Leasing Information

[078] As shown in Figure 8, the present invention transfers leasing information to an external system 38. After the lease documents have been signed and the agreement finalized, relevant maintenance-related leasing information is transferred to an external system. In one embodiment, the external system is a tracking, reporting, and billing system for lease maintenance. The maintenance-related leasing information includes any information necessary to maintain the lease. That is, the relevant leasing information includes any information helpful to track the lease, generate reports regarding the ongoing lease, and transmit bills to the customers. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 8, once the signed documents have been received, the fact that there is a finalized agreement can be indicated to the server 10. In one embodiment as depicted in Figure 40, the finalization notification is accomplished by pressing a web screen button designated "Accepted."

[079] Upon notification of finalization, Figure 8 shows that relevant leasing information on the server 10 is identified or "tagged" for easy recognition. The next step is transfer. In one embodiment, a software program called a link system 40 on an external system 38 "sweeps" or scans the server 10 for the identifying tag on the available information, and transfers the relevant maintenance-related leasing information from the present invention. The link system 40 is capable of communication with the server 10. In one embodiment of the link system 40, the link system 40 identifies "tagged" information on the server 10 and then copies that information to the external system 38. In another embodiment involving the link system 40, the "tagged" information is extracted or removed from the server 10 and downloaded onto the external system 38.

[080] In the second embodiment depicted in Figure 8, software in the server 10 of the present invention identifies, compiles, and transfers the "tagged" information to an external system, hi one embodiment, the software copies the "tagged" information to an external system. In yet another embodiment, the software in the server 10 extracts or removes the "tagged" information from the server 10 and transfers it to the external system 38.

C. Conclusion

[081] One embodiment of the invention allows a vehicle vendor to enter certain information about the lease of a vehicle in a client computer and then have a quote automatically generated using a client-server system. In addition, paperwork to close a lease transaction may be automatically generated upon credit approval. Such paperwork may be available through the client-server system of the invention. Also, relevant leasing information for such purposes as lease maintenance and billing may be transferred from the present invention to an external system or site. Using the method and system of the invention, quotes for vehicle leases may be generated within a matter of minutes or even seconds. In addition, documenting a lease and transferring lease information for maintenance, billing and other purposes may be a quick and easy process, rather than a drawn-out process involving numerous facsimiles, mailings, and manual entry of information.

[082] While th^e present invention has been described with reference to several embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art may recognize various changes that may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, this invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification. Any number or ordering of the elements in the following claims is merely for convenience and is not intended to suggest that the ordering of the elements of the claims has any particular significance other than that otherwise expressed by the language of the claims.

Claims

ClaimsWhat is claimed is:

1. An automated method for exporting leasing information from an automated leasing system, the method comprising:

(a) tagging leasing information on a server;

(b) scanning the server for the tagged leasing information;

(c) identifying the tagged leasing information; and

(d) transferring at least a portion of the tagged leasing information to an external system.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of transferring at least a portion of the tagged leasing information to an external system further comprises:

(a) copying at least a portion of the tagged leasing information; and

(b) exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information to the external system.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the acts of scanning the server, identifying the tagged leasing information, copying the tagged leasing information, and exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information is performed by the external system.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the acts of scanning the server, identifying the tagged leasing information, copying the tagged leasing information, and exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information is performed by a linking system associated with the external system.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the linking system is a software program on the external system.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the acts of scanning the server, identifying the tagged leasing information, copying the tagged leasing information, and exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information is performed by a software program on the server.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of transferring at least a portion of the tagged leasing information to an external system further comprises: (a) removing at least a portion of the tagged leasing information from the server; and

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the acts of scanning the server, identifying the tagged leasing information, removing at least a portion of the tagged leasing information, and exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information is performed by the external system.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the acts of scanning the server, identifying the tagged leasing information, copying the tagged leasing information, and exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information is performed by a linking system associated with the external system.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the linking system is a software program on the external system.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the acts of scanning the server, identifying the tagged leasing information, copying the tagged leasing information, and exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information is performed by a software program on the server.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the external system is a lease maintenance system.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the lease maintenance system is a tracking, reporting, and billing system.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the leasing information comprises vehicle lease terms, payment terms, automated leasing system, and basic identification information.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the vehicle lease terms comprise a vehicle cost and residual value, a lease duration, and down payment information.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the payment terms are computed based in the vehicle lease terms and a desired rate of return for the lease.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the basic identification information comprises identification information for an individual user of the leased vehicle.

18. An automated method for leasing a vehicle comprising:

(a) electronically soliciting from a client vehicle lease terms, including a vehicle cost and residual value, a lease duration, and down payment information;

(b) computing payment terms at a server for the lease based on the vehicle lease terms and a desired rate of return for the lease;

(c) generating a report for display at the client, the report showing the payment terms for the lease;

(d) receiving at the server instructions from a client to go forward with the vehicle lease; (e) electronically soliciting from the lessee at the client basic identification information, including identification information for an individual user of the leased vehicle;

(f) receiving and storing in the server the client basic identification information;

(g) generating documentation for the vehicle lease such that the user at the client may complete the documentation; and (h) transferring leasing information to an external system.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the act of transferring the leasing information to the external system further comprises:

(a) tagging the leasing information on the server; (b) scanning the server for the tagged leasing information;

(c) identifying the tagged leasing information;

(d) copying at least a portion of the tagged leasing information; and

(e) exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information to the external system.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the acts of tagging the leasing information, scanning the server, identifying the tagged leasing information, copying at least a portion of the tagged leasing information, and exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information are performed by the external system.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the acts of tagging the leasing information, scanning the server, identifying the tagged leasing information, copying at least a portion of the tagged leasing information, and exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information are performed by a linking system associated with the external system.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the linking system is a software program on the external system.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein the acts of tagging the leasing information, scanning the server, identifying the tagged leasing information, copying at least a portion of the tagged leasing information, and exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information are performed by a software program on the server.

24. The method of claim 18 wherein the act of transferring the leasing information to the external system further comprises:

(a) tagging the leasing information on the server;

(b) scanning the server for the tagged leasing information;

(c) identifying the tagged leasing information;

(d) removing at least a portion of the tagged leasing information from the server; and (e) exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information to the external system.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the acts of tagging the leasing information, scanning the server, identifying the tagged leasing information, removing at least a portion of the tagged leasing information, and exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information are performed by the external system.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the acts of tagging the leasing information, scanning the server, identifying the tagged leasing information, removing at least a portion of the tagged leasing information, and exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information are performed by a linking system associated with the external system.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the linking system is a software program on the external system.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein the acts of tagging the leasing information, scanning the server, identifying the tagged leasing information, copying at least a portion of the tagged leasing information, and exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information are performed by a software program on the server.

29. The method of claim 18 wherein the external system is a lease maintenance system.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the lease maintenance system is a tracking, reporting, and billing system.

31. The method of claim 18 wherein the leasing information comprises vehicle lease terms, payment terms, automated leasing system, and basic identification information.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the vehicle lease terms comprise a vehicle cost and residual value, a lease duration, and down payment information.

33. The method of claim 31 wherein the payment terms are computed based in the vehicle lease terms and a desired rate of return for the lease.

34. The method of claim 31 wherein the basic identification information comprises identification information for an individual user of the leased vehicle

35. An automated system for exporting leasing information from an automated leasing system, the system comprising: (a) a server having memory and a processor wherein the processor contains at least one program to perform the following acts: (i) storing leasing information; (ii) tagging leasing information on the server; (iii) scanning the server for tagged leasing information; (iv) identifying the tagged leasing information; and

(v) transferring at least a portion of the tagged leasing information to an external system; and

(b) a communication path electronically linking the server to the external system.

36. The system of claim 35 wherein the act of transferring at least a portion of the tagged leasing information to the external system further comprises:

(a) copying at least a portion of the tagged leasing information; and

37. The system of claim 35 wherein the act of transferring at least a portion of the tagged leasing information to the external system further comprises:

(a) removing at least a portion of the tagged leasing information from the server; and

38. The system of claim 35 wherein the external system is a lease maintenance system.

39. The system of claim 38 wherein the lease maintenance system is a tracking, reporting, and billing system.

40. The system of claim 35 wherein the leasing information comprises vehicle lease terms, payment terms, automated leasing system, and basic identification information.

41. The system of claim 40 wherein the vehicle lease terms comprise a vehicle cost and residual value, a lease duration, and down payment information.

42. The system of claim 40 wherein the payment terms are computed based in the vehicle lease terms and a desired rate of return for the lease.

43. The system of claim 40 wherein the basic identification information comprises identification information for an individual user of the leased vehicle.

44. An automated system for exporting leasing information from an automated leasing system, the system comprising: a) a server having memory and a processor wherein the processor contains at least one program to perform the following acts:

(i) storing leasing information; and

(ii) tagging leasing information on the server; and

(b) an external system having memory and a processor wherein the processor contains at least one program to perform the following acts: (i) scanning the server for tagged leasing information;

(ii) identifying the tagged leasing information; and (iii) transferring at least a portion of the tagged leasing information to the external system; and

(c) a communication path electronically linking the server to the external system.

45. The system of claim 44 wherein the act of transferring at least a portion of the tagged leasing information to the external site further comprises:

(a) copying at least a portion of the tagged leasing information; and

(b) exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information to the external site.

46. The system of claim 44 wherein the act of transferring at least a portion of the tagged leasing information to the external site further comprises:

(a) removing at least a portion of the tagged leasing information from the server; and (b) exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information to the external site.

47. The system of claim 44 wherein the act of transferring at least a portion of the tagged leasing information is performed by a linking system associated with the external system.

48. The system of claim 47 wherein the linking system is a software program on the external system.

49. An automated system for leasing a vehicle, the system comprising: (a) a user interface;

(b) a server having memory and a processor, wherein the processor contains at least one program to perform the following acts:

(i) electronically soliciting at the user interface vehicle lease terms, (ii) computing payment terms at a server for the lease based on the vehicle lease terms and a desired rate of return for the lease,

(iii) generating a report for display at the user interface showing the payment terms for the lease,

(iv) receiving instructions from the user interface to go forward with the vehicle lease, (v) electronically soliciting from a lessee at the user interface identification information, including identification information for an individual user of the leased vehicle, (vi) receiving and storing in the server the identification information, (vii) generating documentation for the vehicle lease such that the user at the user interface may complete the documentation, and

(viii) transferring leasing information from the server to an external system;

(c) a first communication path electronically linking the user interface to the server; and

(d) a second communication path electronically linking the server to the external system, whereby the leasing information is transferred from the server to the external system.

50. The system of claim 49 wherein the act of transferring the leasing information to the external system further comprises:

(c) identifying the tagged leasing information;

(d) copying at least a portion of the tagged leasing information; and

51. The system of claim 50 wherein the acts of tagging the leasing information, scanning the server, identifying the tagged leasing information, copying at least a portion of the tagged leasing information, and exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information are performed by the external system.

52. The system of claim 51 wherein the acts of tagging the leasing information, scanning the server, identifying the tagged leasing information, copying at least a portion of the tagged leasing information, and exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information are performed by a linking system associated with the external system.

53. The system of claim 52 wherein the linking system is a software program on the external system.

54. The system of claim 50 wherein the acts of tagging the leasing information, scanning the server, identifying the tagged leasing information, copying at least a portion of the tagged leasing information, and exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information are performed by a software program on the server.

55. The system of claim 49 wherein the act of transferring the leasing information to the external system further comprises:

(a) tagging the leasing information on the server;

(b) scanning the server for the tagged leasing information;

(c) identifying the tagged leasing information;

(d) removing at least a portion of the tagged leasing information from the server; and

56. The system of claim 55 wherein the acts of tagging the leasing information, scanning the server, identifying the tagged leasing information, removing at least a portion of the tagged leasing information, and exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information are performed by the external system.

57. The system of claim 56 wherein the acts of tagging the leasing information, scanning the server, identifying the tagged leasing information, removing at least a portion of the tagged leasing information, and exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information are performed by a linking system associated with the external system.

58. The system of claim 57 wherein the linking system is a software program on the external system.

59. The system of claim 55 wherein the acts of tagging the leasing information, scanning the server, identifying the tagged leasing information, copying at least a portion of the tagged leasing information, and exporting the at least a portion of the tagged leasing information are performed by a software program on the server.

60. The system of claim 49 wherein the external system is a lease maintenance system.

61. The system of claim 60 wherein the lease maintenance system is a tracking, reporting, and billing system.

62. The system of claim 49 wherein the leasing information comprises vehicle lease terms, payment terms, automated leasing system, and basic identification information.

63. The system of claim 62 wherein the vehicle lease terms comprise a vehicle cost and residual value, a lease duration, and down payment information.

64. The system of claim 62 wherein the payment terms are computed based in the vehicle lease terms and a desired rate of return for the lease.

65. The system of claim 62 wherein the basic identification information comprises identification information for an individual user of the leased vehicle.