A computer-implemented telecommunications spending analysis system
extracts telecommunications traffic detail data from billing statements
provided by telecommunications carriers and converts the traffic detail
data to a generic data format for aggregation in a uniform customer
traffic history database. The spending analysis system compares billed
rates against estimated market prices stored in a best of class (BOC)
database and notifies the user of possible cost savings attainable in a
renegotiated contract. A web-based RFP system facilitates preparation of
a request for proposals (RFP) and solicitation of vendors to bid on the
RFP in an online reverse auction environment, both for telecommunications
services and other commodities. The RFP system may access the uniform
customer traffic history database to facilitate preparation of a traffic
forecast of the RFP. Upon completion of an RFP auction, the RFP system
updates the estimated market prices of the BOC database based on the
vendor bids.