Overview of Key Cogbase features - Version 1.0

Cogbase provides a strategic sourcing software platform that enables customers to discover and develop relationships with capable suppliers for custom parts and products. Cogbase’s services may include various features, some of which are currently available and some of which may be added or discontinued. The feature of the Services may include:

1.     Supplier Search: Supplier Search is intended to determine a set of businesses which are capable of producing one or more parts described through Cogbase’s Progressively Disclosed Order (PDO) system for efficient, secure sharing with potential suppliers. The Supplier Search (and the related Saved Supplier Searches) are intended as planning- and decision-making aides to inform specific hardware design decisions as well as the schedule, resources, and goals for the customer’s upcoming supplier discovery efforts. Directly contacting suppliers or otherwise acting on a supplier list generated as a result of a Supplier Search can be done through a number of related features including Trade Tables, Supplier Reports, and Sourcing Campaigns. Users can save filters and other search criteria as executed via the Supplier Search to create a Saved Supplier Search for later use, or for sharing with other users. Saved Supplier Searches do not include contact information and are not directly exportable.

2.     Trade Tables. Users can select one or more Saved Supplier Searches to compare various aspects of the results lists against each other. Trade Tables show comparisons, which are intended to assist hardware engineers and designers in deciding between multiple different potential designs of a part on the basis of the parts manufacturability.

3.     Part Uploads. Users can upload files which provide detailed information on hardware parts to be produced by Suppliers discovered through the Services. These files can be uploaded in a number of different formats and methods, including direct file upload, FTP and share drive, and system integration. Uploaded files are converted to PDO format.

4.     Progressively Disclosed Order (PDO). The PDO format is a multi-tier ordering system which helps a customer to compartmentalize aspects of their needs according to the sensitivity of the information. The tiers include Public Tier, Review Tier, and Award Tier. Each tier handles the release of information to third parties in different ways to help the customer achieve its goals of reaching a large number of viable industrial suppliers quickly to fill a variety of needs in their business while only disclosing sensitive information the extent necessary. The Public Tier includes extracting non-sensitive technical specifications (e.g., overall product height, width, length, material requirements, weight, fabricating processes, etc.) and presenting such non-sensitive specifications to potential suppliers which allows suppliers to express interest and move forward only on those inquiries which are a good fit for the supplier’s capabilities. Cogbase may make initial determinations regarding the information that should be included in the Public Tier, but each customer should review the information that Cogbase proposes for inclusion in the Public Tier before it is released to ensure that the information is not sensitive in nature. To the extent a customer fails to confirm that the information Cogbase has included in the Public Tier is not sensitive or fails to identify sensitive information that Cogbase included in the Public Tier, Cogbase is not liable for such failures or Cogbase’s disclosure of such sensitive information to third-parties. The Review Tier is an intermediate tier that may include different forms of non-public data with varying degrees of sensitivity, and which may require execution of a non-disclosure agreement before disclosure to the potential suppliers. The Award Tier is limited to information which is only to be released to suppliers who enter binding agreements with the customer for the production of Supplier Products.

5.     Supplier Network Management. Users can identify suppliers they would like to work with on an ongoing basis, including suppliers discovered through the Cogbase services or suppliers uploaded to the Cogbase services by the customer. Once a supplier is identified as in-network, there are a number of benefits users can take advantage of, including stored non-disclosure agreements, market comparisons, and preferential whitelisting or blacklisting during Sourcing Campaigns.

6. Sourcing Campaigns. A Sourcing Campaign is a contained event typically lasting a total of 10 to 20 business days during which the customer uses the Cogbase services to target, communicate with, and ultimately solicit quotes and bids for finished products from suppliers based on Customer’s specifications and requirements. Sourcing Campaigns consist of several required steps. Cogbase may determine in its discretion when any step should be taken by a customer directly or by Cogbase’s own staff to achieve the desired result of a particular Sourcing Campaign. A certain number of “bundled” Sourcing Campaigns may be included as part of the subscription model. Such Sourcing Campaigns are included in the cost of the subscription plan. Bundled Sourcing Campaigns are eligible for use only within the current Subscription Term. Additional “on-demand” Sourcing Campaigns may be purchased in accordance with the terms of the Order. Cogbase may, in its discretion, determine when a Sourcing Campaigns may begin and end any Sourcing Campaign six weeks from its start date and limit the number of concurrent Sourcing Campaigns to no more than two at a time (regardless of the number of bundles Sourcing Campaigns permitted under the terms of the applicable subscription). Cogbase reserves the right to limit the number and duration of Campaigns permitted during a Trial