METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MULTI-ENTERPRISE OPTIMIZATION USING FLEXIBLE TRADE CONTRACTS

A method of multi-enterprise optimization at a buyer computer (20) includes accessing a forecasted demand for at least one item and generating one or more proposed flexible trade contracts (500, 530, 560) using the forecasted demand for the item. The proposed flexible trade contract (500, 530, 560) is communicated to a seller computer (40) and subsequently executed after acceptance of the proposed flexible trade contract (500, 530, 560) at the seller computer (40) to create a flexible trade contract (500, 530, 560). Each proposed flexible trade contract (500, 530, 560) may be a forward contract (500), an option contract (530), or a flexible forward contract (560).